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Blog Post: Week 13 Due 11/18

Q: What kind of social media site or digital platform am I creating?

I want to create a social media platform in which users can discover new movies and TV shows based on different genres and their ratings. It would be set up similarly to both Reddit or Discord. It would have the element of different channels like Discord, but users would be able to "upvote" movies and shows based on if they like the content. In that way, it was the aspect of Instagram or TikTok with a "for you page" which becomes customized to the individual user.

Q: What will you measure?

The social media platform would measure various demographic information to improve the recommendations for the user. Such things will include age, gender identity, interests/hobbies, and favorite movie. Additionally, it will measure the engagement with various genres of films or TV shows to help better recommend further films or shows. These various aspects of the individual will influence the profiles of individuals, leading to the correct information reaching the right audience. The platform will also request their email when they sign-up so users can receive recommendations via email.

Q: How will you weight these factors?

These factors will be ranked: (1) Age, (2) Gender identity, (3) Interests/Hobbies, (4) Favorite movie, (5) Email

Q: What factors will not be measured?

Various media platforms include "downvoting" or "disliking" options on posts or videos. With my app/platform, there will only be "upvoting" meaning that if someone doesn't "upvote" something, they won't be recommended similar movies or shows again. Removing the negativity attached to dislikes is critical for this platform. The platform will also not measure comments. Users will be able to rate genres, movies, and shows with stars. Additionally, users private information will not be available for other users to view. Age, gender identity, interests and hobbies will remain private. However, users' favorite movies or shows will be visible, along with their ratings.

Q: How will the model learn or adapt to new information?

The platform will remain up-to-date with current popular movies/shows, as well as new releases. In terms of any updates, changes will be available to the users and there will be complete transparency.

Q: What biases will be built into the model? How will this change the algorithm's outcome?

The model will be based on data collected by users and there will be no biases based on age or gender identity which would influence certain genres being recommended solely based on that factors. By avoiding these biases, the algorithm will be representative of the individuals users. The recommendations will be made based on ratings and popularity.

Q: How will the model live out the (un)ethical practices we have discussed?

Due to the personal information of users remaining private on this platform, this will help combat racism and sexism. There will be no assumptions of interests based on someone's race, gender identity, or ethnicity. Additionally, there are no comments on this platform which will also block individuals from engaging in such behavior, as well as reducing cyber harassment. Finally, user's right to be forgotten will also be upheld. When users delete their accounts, their information and data collected (recommendations) will also be removed completely.

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Blog Post: Week 12 Due 11/11

Q: What risks are associated with protestors using social media?

Though there are many ways in which social media benefits and helps protestors, such as spreading awareness, reaching a wider audience, and organizing protests, there are some consequences that can result from this action. The case of Madison and Wallschlaeger is a good example of how authorities can use the Internet to identify protestors. There was a raid of their house at the beginning of a protest. Madison and Wallschlaeger were tracking the movements of authorities and reporting them on social media to help protestors on the streets. They were charged with two felonies and one misdemeanor. Protestors must be aware that using social media to gain insight information can be used both ways and they should be careful with the kind of information they are sharing. As for the individuals actually hacking into and monitoring police activity, the risks are greater.

Q: What steps can individuals take to make their online accounts and profiles more secure?

There are many things people can do to be more secure online. For one, there are Anti-virus softwares available to download which are intended to detect and then remove viruses and other malware from your computer or laptop. Updating passwords every now and then, as well as using unique passwords for every login also reduces the chances of being hacked. People can also get a VPN which encrypts your internet traffic, blocking people from getting into your data through the Internet network. Universities have started to use two-factor authentication for student logins which adds another layer of protection and authentication. The easiest step individuals can take is making their social media account private.

Q: Where is the line when it comes to privacy and surveillance?

The government has greater surveillance now than ever and the activities of individuals has never been less private. The concept of surveillance is to protect, but it also controls and constrains individuals. I think there is a fine line when it comes to surveillance and invading people's privacy. The danger is that surveillance can be used in sinister ways. A big issue with surveillance comes down to people being unaware of the fact that they are being surveilled.

Q: Why should people be aware of the content they share on social media?

Posts on social media essentially exist forever. Once something has been put out on the Internet, it is extremely difficult to fully erase any evidence of it. There could be backups or screenshots. It has recently become more of an issue where people are being fired due to their online presence. This is especially evident since TikTok has become such a huge social media platform. The type of information and opinions posted online can be viewed by virtually anyone. This comes with risks associated. You want to portray yourself online the same way you wish to be viewed by others.

Parenti, C. (2004). The Soft Cage: Surveillance in America from slavery to the War on Terror. Basic Books.

Power, M. (2010, March 11). How your Twitter account could land you in jail. Mother Jones. Retrieved November 11, 2021, from https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2010/03/police-twitter-riots-social-media-activists/.

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Blog Post: Week 11 Due 11/04

Q: How has the Internet and Social Media changed protests and/or online activism?

The Internet has enabled more people to see a reality that was invisible to them before. One of the largest influences the Internet has had on protests can be seen in the simplified organization and coordination of large groups of people. The Internet allows for protests to reach such a broad amount of people, regardless of what "group" these individuals fall into. People utilize the Internet as a way to spread the word and call attention to issues that need to be protested. With a larger group of people behind a movement or protest, the more coverage it will get and the more recognized the protest will become. Unfortunately, it takes a lot of people getting involved to get the people who are "in charge" to take action.

Q: What are the consequences of the black body being labeled as criminal?

Black Americans, black men in particular, are overrepresented as criminals in news media. They are especially labeled as perpetrators of violent crimes which has serious consequences for these individuals. One part of this labeling has to do with Black suspects being thought as being more violent compared to their white counterparts, furthering the fear toward black people that the media engrains in society. The way in which the news media reports on such topics has a massive effect on public opinion. It enforces biased perceptions of the black community not only in society itself, but also in the courtroom when it comes to actually charging someone for a crime. These biases can increase the likelihood of false imprisonment.

Q: How has the Internet specifically influenced police brutality towards the Black community?

Especially within the past few years, the Internet and social media has had more of an influence on the consequences of police brutality against Black individuals. A specific example can be examined in the case of George Floyd who was murdered by a white cop. Due to the advances of technology, video footage of this crime was released to the Internet and millions of people watched the murder of a black man. Due to the evidence of the video and the amount of people the video reached, the police officer was arrested and charged for the murder of George Floyd. There is no guarantee that without the voices of thousands of people fighting for justice that justice would have actually been served.

Q: How does Hacktivism work and influence our society?

Hacktivism is a type of social/political activism involving breaking into computer system and causing havoc. This aggressive type of Internet activism is aimed at achieving a politically motivated goal. It calls to attention whatever important cause the "hacktivists" are focusing on. Hacktivism can be expressed via images or messages on websites that are in opposition to these ideas and beliefs. The goal of disrupting websites and services is used to overwhelm a website and possibly decrease the amount of traffic those websites are getting.

Fuchs, C. (2018). Communication Power in the Arab Spring and Occupy Movement . In Social Media: A critical introduction (pp. 83–88). essay, SAGE.

Lee, L. (2017). Black twitter: A response to bias in mainstream media. Social Sciences, 6(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci6010026

Vegh, S. (2013). Classifying Forms of Online Activity . In Cyberactivism: Online activism in theory and Practice. essay, Routledge.

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Blog Post: Week 10 Due 10/28

Q: In what ways can "trolling" be stopped or controlled?

Unfortunately, the Internet is swarming with ruthless trolls. Though trolling can be out of humor, the spam of negativity and the compulsive need to push people's buttons is what makes trolling so unbearable at times. I think one of the main ways an individual can take control of the situation and away from the troll is by starving them of their amusement. Trolls thrive on the anger and frustration that they cause and receive which further encourages them to continue their behavior. At the end of the day, they are not worth the time and energy that is required to respond to them. A way in which the media can actively work against trolling is by monitoring such behavior and deactivating accounts that exhibit such behavior.

Q: How has the Internet perpetuated things like trolling and cyber harassment?

The Internet allows for harassment and trolling to be even more difficult to escape. Typical bullying would end when a person is out of a particular setting or situation. However, due to the Internet harassment can be constant. I think one of the biggest reasons why the Internet perpetuates things like trolling and cyber harassment is due to the anonymity it provides. Whether it’s the use of a fake name or number, people hide behind their screens. Additionally, the consequences to such behavior is less obvious as it’s extremely difficult to hold people accountable for their actions.

Q: How are hate crimes so damaging to the person on the receiving end?

Victims of hate crimes often experience long-lasting consequences, whether it has affected them physically, emotionally, socially, or academically. I think the main overarching feeling that is experienced is the feeling of being vulnerable, as well as isolated. Especially when it comes to online hate crimes or harassment, victims can feel as though there is no escape and no end in sight. These effects were evident when the article discussed Leslie Jones and her experience with hate crimes. She reported feelings of stress, heartbreak, as well as anger when she was going through this ordeal. Due to these impactful effects, it is necessary to tackle this issue head on.

Q: Is there the possibility of a troll-free social media?

I think when it comes to the Internet there will always be issues surrounding trolling and online harassment. The Internet makes it extremely difficult to control certain individual’s behavior towards others. I think if removing trolling from the Internet was an option, it would have been done by now. There have been countless accounts of serious consequences that have resulted due to online harassment such as suicides. The guidelines necessary for such action require extreme finesse and detail, and until those guidelines exist to bring a stop to trolling cyber harassment will continue.

Citron, D. K. (2014). Introduction. Hate Crimes in Cyberspace, 1–32. https://doi.org/10.4159/harvard.9780674735613.intro

Duggan, M. (2020, August 17). Online harassment. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2014/10/22/online-harassment/.

Phillips, W. (2015). Defining terms: The origins and evolution of subcultural trolling. This Is Why We Can't Have Nice Things, 55–87. https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/10288.003.0004

Silman, A. (2016, August 24). A Timeline of Leslie Jones's Horrific Online Abuse. The Cut. Retrieved October 27, 2021, from https://www.thecut.com/2016/08/a-timeline-of-leslie-joness-horrific-online-abuse.html.

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Blog Post: Week 7 Due 10/14

Q: How are cyborgs used to destroy boundaries?

Cyborgs are a useful figure in both culture and technology as they appear to do a good job at blurring the boundaries between reality and fiction. Cyborgs are a hybrid figure that enables radical political changes and movements. The ambiguity that is a cyborg is what frees them from the social constructs society places on individuals. Haraway uses the cyborg to present her vision of transcending differences in gender, race, sexuality, etc. The idea of a cyborg is that it completely rejects the patriarchal ideas that society has drilled into us.

Q: How does online communication in mixed-gender settings typically disadvantage women?

In general, women are more likely to draw on relational language when engaging in communication. This type of language is aimed at bringing people together. On the other hand, men typically tend to use language that establishes superiority and dominance, as well as emphasizing their achievements. As a result, women struggle to make their voices heard as they are essentially smothered by the male voices. As Daniels explains, women post fewer messages in mixed-gender settings and also tend to receive fewer responses, causing them to post even less. Additionally, women tend to start their posts with self-deprecating language.This type of recurrent pattern of online communication reinforces the idea of superior male voices and opinions. After all, men have dominated online communication ever since the Internet was created and continues to have lasting effects today.

Q: How has the Internet influenced white supremacy?

During the print-era, white supremacy was considered to be more of a top-down communication as it was printed in newspapers and spread to the public. However, during the digital era, the messages of white supremacy are spread to more people and those individuals have the opportunity to engage with and participate in this type of damaging communication. Additionally, anybody is able to post online through various social media platforms their thoughts and opinions. This can be great for positive social movements. However, it also gives a platform for people to spread their hate, racism, discrimination, sexism, and more.

Q: What implications does the simulation of femininity online have?

As O’riordan explains in the article, the use of the feminine face/voice/body in the online simulation of femininity has several overarching themes, such as promoting heteronormaitve sex and gender relations, implications for sex dynamics, and the idea of portraying a friendly demeanor. Many of these virtual simulations are of young, attractive, and mostly white females which points to the heteronormative view on women and the wants of white males. The idea behind these simulations represents the view of women in our society, offline.

Haraway, D. (1991). A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century. (354-359).

Daniels, J. (2009). Gender, White Supremacy, and the Internet. Cyber Racism: White Supremacy Online and the New Attack on Civil Rights (pp. 61-86). Rowman & Littlefield

O’Riordan, K. (2006). Gender, Technology, and Visual Cyberculture. Critical Cyberculture Studies (pp. 243-252). New York University Press.

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Blog Post: Week 7 Due 10/07

Q: How are microaggressions presented to us in daily life?

Microaggressions refer to common verbal, behavioral, or environmental treatment of others that reflect derogatory or negative attitudes toward marginalized groups. Racial microaggressions can be observed in so many places. Whether they are intentional or unintentional, the effects of such microaggressions can be very hurtful and damaging to the individual experiencing them and illuminate deeper problems in our society. Some examples of microaggressions that I have heard or observed others express are questions or comments like: “But you don’t act black,” “What are you?”, “You don’t look Asian,” “You don’t have a strong accent.” These comments all contain microaggressions within them. They insinuate the expectations that the individuals asking have regarding the ethnicity or culture of the other person. They are making assumptions or comparisons based on their biases and false knowledge. Questions and comments like those above generalize people and try to put them in boxes based on the group that they belong to. What people fail to realize is that individuals are just that...individuals.

Q: How is social media amplifying white supremacy?

We must acknowledge the presence of white supremacy online as white supremacists were among the first to create websites on the Internet to spread their beliefs and messages. While social media has been a useful tool for catalyzing movements, the power of social media also comes with consequences. There is a great deal of white supremacy online which reaches a large population due to social media being global. Many social media users experience censorship when it comes to their content. This means that content is removed for violating community guidelines that social media platforms have set. However, the content that is being removed often speaks out about racism or calls out white supremacy. This causes a huge issue when it comes to people trying to raise awareness to these important issues and reach a broader audience. Social media needs to have more safeguards in place for those who are outspoken so as to not silence them even more.

Q: How does racist humor perpetuate systemic racism in society?

Racist humor normalizes the presence of racism in our society. Though they are labelled as simply being jokes, the biases and hatred expressed through racist humor enables systemic racism to remain within our society. People use this type of humor as a way to justify their actions or attitudes as they believe that calling something a joke is enough to protect themselves from backlash. Many do not see the damaging effects of racist jokes. However, this humor presents yet another way in which derogatory terms or labels can continue to spread through our culture. By normalizing racist humor, we are placing another obstacle in our way of dismantling the racism evident in our lives.

Q: How is some marketing representative of racism and discriminatory attitudes?

Unfortunately, race-based target marketing is a lot more common in our society than we expect. There is a large history of controversial advertisements. One example is the H&M monkey sweatshirt ad which featured a black child. They faced backlash due to this insensitive marketing ad. Another example includes the Heineken beer commercial with the tagline “Sometimes, lighter is better.” Even if these ads were not intended to be racist, systemic racism has been evident in our society and a topic of discussion for so long that companies need to be more aware of the connotations their advertisements may have. Advertising plays a significant role in our society and the racism that some marketing perpetuates contributes massively to the racist issues at hand in the media.

Benjamin, R. (2020). Race after technology abolitionist tools for the new jim code. Polity.

Daniels, J. (2009). Cyber racism: White supremacy online and the new attack on Civil Rights. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Hunsinger, J., & Senft, T. M. (2015). The Social Media Handbook. Routledge.

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Blog Post: Week 6 Due 9/30

Q: Why is the concept of “colorblindness” a counterproductive ideology?

As explained in the article Race in Cyberspace, when white people are faced with questions surrounding racism and racial politics, their responses often include statements like “race shouldn’t matter” or “I don’t see color.” What they fail to realize is that this refusal to take note of race actually perpetuates discrimination. By claiming to not see race, people are averting their eyes from the discriminatory practices taking place all around them. The concept of colorblindness is a naïve attempt at addressing social problems and relies on the idea that race-based differences don’t matter, actively ignoring the realities of our society. Colorblindness goes hand-in-hand with the desire to stop discussing racism and racial disparities.

Q: Why do people enact their cyborg identities online?

I think the main reason why people choose to enact their cyborg identity online is to be liberated from the limitations of their gender, race, etc. Kolko et al. (2000) explains how “a user’s gender materially affects the range and kind of experiences within cyberspace” (p. 7). Though we may not think that we are as constrained online as in real life, users still bring their assumptions and beliefs regarding race and gender with them when they log online. These cyborg identities allow us to actually interact with those around us from a new identity instead of us just putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes. By using a cyborg identity online, people are in control of what they put out there for others to observe and form judgments on. In real life, there are many other factors that affect how others view our identities.

Q: What damaging effects do games like 3D Realm have?

3D Realm is extremely problematic for many reasons. For one, it represents Japanese culture and adventure in a way that American society wishes to see it. They claim that they are having fun with Asian culture and making fun games, as if that excuses the problematic and inaccurate content they produce. An extremely disturbing aspect of the content has to do with how they represent women. All women are presented nude in extremely forced and unrealistic ways/settings. The options of what to say or do to the women are either oversexual or violent. I think this taps into the idea of “exotic asians” and how asian women have become hypersexualized and fetishized. It seems that video games more often than not sexualize the female characters to please the male users.

Q: How do stereotypical and racist images in video games influence attitudes and behavior?

I believe that the damaging concepts and images in video games do influence the attitudes and behaviors of gamers. It’s been proven that violence observed in video games has an effect on how children behave. So, why wouldn’t it be the same for racist and sexist concepts? I think such imagery can unconsciously influence people, even if they are not actively imitating or taking on those behaviors and attitudes. I think giving people the option to do things that have a racist underlying meaning should be avoided.

Fickle, T. (2019). The race card: From gaming technologies to model minorities. New York University Press.

Kolko, B. E., Nakamura, L., & Rodman, G. B. (2000). Race in cyberspace. Routledge.

Ow, Jeffrey A. “The Revenge of the Yellowfaced Cyborg Terminator: The Rape of Digital Geishas and the Colonization of Cyber-Coolies in 3D Realms’ Shadow Warrior.” Asian America.Net: Ethnicity, Nationalism, and Cyberspace. Eds. Rachel C. Lee and Sau-Ling Cynthia Wong. New York: Routledge, 2003. Print.

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Blog Post:  Week 4 Due 9/16

Q: How are so many people unaware of the damaging influence that algorithms have on racism and sexism?

I believe that one of the reasons why people are oblivious to the harmful effects of stereotyping women and people of color via algorithms is because as a society, we seem to accept technology as it is and don’t question the information readily available to us. It is because of this that companies like Google have had such huge success even though they are advertising agencies. As Noble explained, the algorithmic designs are not up for public discussion and are only brought into conversation when someone protests and engages in critique. There needs to be more transparency in algorithms in terms of who the people are that are designing them and influencing the algorithms with their biases. The best way to bring people’s attention to the type information being presented to them is by continuing to engage in broader public conversations about the consequences of AI and algorithms. 

Q: What power do names hold over individuals, specifically, over minority groups?

Individuals are highly impacted by name-based microaggressions. A name gives insight to one’s identity, culture, heritage, ultimately holding a great deal of power. There is a tendency for white names and whiteness is generally perceived as “normal”. These microaggressions can include things such as unwanted nicknames, assumptions about an individual, biases toward an individual, and cultural teasing. The results of these microaggressions could include individuals wanting to change their names to appear more conforming to the approved whiteness of other names. People should view their names as a way to be proud of who they are and their culture. However, since names are used as discriminating social codes in our society, it is understandable that people are tired of the constant racism they experience even based on something like their name.

Q: How does the digital divide theory still play a role in today’s society, decades after being brought to attention?

Unequal access to resources is still a huge problem in our society today, further contributing to the discrimination and unfair treatment of minority groups. The digital divide is not only referring to whether or not someone has access to technology in general. Today, the digital divide also refers to access to lower-performance computers or lower-speed wireless networks versus higher performance devices and networks. There are better and improved devices or systems coming out each year and it is expensive to keep up with. Though many would think that the digital divide is no longer an issue because it seems like everyone has access to technology and is online, it is still very much a reality for many people. This is particularly worrying and unfair since our society has become so dependent on technology and access to the Internet that this unequal distribution of resources really comes into play and can be detrimental to someone’s education and/or work.

Q: How can understanding intersectionality help ease the struggles of oppression and discrimination?

I feel like people underestimate the magnitude of an issue or minimize just how deep something like systemic discrimination is engrained into our society. Recognizing that there are multiple forms and types of discrimination that block groups of people from acquiring equal opportunity is such an important step in fighting the battle. Essentially, we need to know the details of the war we are fighting. To me, intersectionality emphasizes avoiding oversimplified language. We need to be aware of the magnitude of the issue we are facing in order to be successful. I think by understanding intersectionality and what is meant by that allows us as a society to realize that this is not a one size fits all problem. Instead, the different forms of oppression intersect each other, presenting unique challenges for all individuals. Though intersectionality may seem like a theory, it is meant to be utilized as a part of the solution.

Everett, A. (2002). The revolution will be digitized. Social Text, 20(2), 125–146. https://doi.org/10.1215/01642472-20-2_71-125

Benjamin, R. (2019). Race after TECHNOLOGY: ABOLITIONIST tools for the New Jim Code. Social Forces, 98(4), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/soz162

Noble, S. U. (2018). Algorithms of oppression. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt1pwt9w5

National Association of Independent Schools (2018, June 22). Kimberlé Crenshaw: What is Intersectionality? [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViDtnfQ9FHc

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Blog Post: Week 3 Due 9/9

Q: Should cyberfeminism follow a set framework?

I believe that cyberfeminism does not need to follow a set framework in order to hack the codes of patriarchy. I think that women being able to interpret cyberfeminism for what they want it to be allows them to not be placed in a box and share what they feel will make a difference. Cyberfeminism can be used for an array of different things. I think no framework allows for more variety in terms of the impact it can have on women and gender issues. There is no need for rules about what can be said and what can’t when it comes to cyberfeminism and its overall goal of liberating women.

Q: How has the Internet helped change women’s lives and social identities?

The Internet has helped liberate women’s voices that were once confined to places like the home. The ability to understand and use technology has had a positive impact on their freedom of expression. I think one of the biggest factors in using technology to empower women is creating safe environments where women feel comfortable expressing their opinions and needs. Furthermore, the Internet allows for women to hear from each other all around the globe. This means that women are able to address the issues at hand from various perspectives.

Q: Why do marginalized groups face higher levels of data collection?

“People are targeted for digital scrutiny as members of social groups, not as individuals” (Eubanks, 2018). Marginalized groups are targeted based on suspicion and scrutiny. The administration has undermined data collection at multiple levels which further enforces the discriminatory behavior. Eubanks describes marginalized groups as consisting of people of color, migrants, unpopular religious groups, sexual minorities, the poor, and other oppressed and exploited groups. Advantaged groups are not as intensely monitored as the ingrained discriminatory beliefs are placed on the marginalized groups as they are seen as threats to society.

Q: Is facial recognition a reliable source for evidence?

Facial recognition systems use analyses of facial features to identify individuals from images or videos. I think that facial recognition can be accurate a lot of the time. However, the consequences that occur when it fails are serious such as heavy fines and time in jail. As discussed in the article, it is often times Black individuals who are falsely identified. Facial recognition is yet another type of technology that further harms the Black community. I believe that the degree of accuracy is dependent on conditions such as ideal lighting and positioning. I think that often times the features of individuals on security cameras can be blurry and often obscured. There is great potential for abuse when it comes to facial recognition and I think there would be more regulations that focus on the risks associated with this type of system.

Daniels, J. (2009). Rethinking Cyberfeminism(s): Race, gender, and embodiment. WSQ: Women's Studies Quarterly, 37(1-2), 101–124. https://doi.org/10.1353/wsq.0.0158

Eubanks, V. (2019). Automating inequality: How high-tech tools profile, police, and punish the poor. Picador.

Hill, K. (2020). Another Arrest, and Jail Time, Due to a Bad FacialRecognition Match, 1–5.

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Blog Post: Week 2 Due 9/2

Q: How has the government’s involvement in media and news contributed to racism and biases?

Although the Constitution guarantees freedom of the press, the government has long held power over the media and news that is presented to the general public. The government has the power to pass legislation that places limitations on certain media outlets. In the past, the federal government has targeted the black press for censorship and restrictions, further perpetuating the white racial narrative that carries the US news. Due to these targeted censorships, the majority of the news we receive and engage in comes from a white perspective even when a narrative from minority groups is needed and more favorable for accurate reporting of events.

Q: How have large media conglomerates contributed to the continued reduction of minority voices in media and what does it mean for our news consumption?

Media conglomerates are large companies that own numerous smaller companies involved in mass media. These conglomerates are the major sources from which we get our news. This raises the question of how diverse and inclusive these sources actually are. The issue at hand is that the conglomerates have a set of underlying beliefs, opinions, and biases that influence all of the news they produce. They tend to take the same stances on news and are less objective when reporting about it. As large media conglomerates make up a huge portion of our media, it silences the voices of minority journalists trying to more accurately report news.

Q: How is social media and the Internet influencing our news?

While social media has definitely engaged a new generation in current events and social movements, it has also come with many consequences. For starters, it has sparked an increase in the spread of false information. Social media sites like Facebook allow people to surround themselves only with those who agree with them, further reinforcing their ideas and beliefs. By doing so, they are closing themselves off from hearing the other side of the argument. Additionally, social media is a very fast paced environment. The need for constant news and reporting on events that only just occurred, causes news outlets and social media to report on something without having all of the information.

Q: How does the concept of power influence the impact of news media and the general public’s perception?

According to Fuchs, “power has to do with who controls society, who is taking important decisions, who owns basic resources, who is considered as being influential, who has the reputation to influence and change society, who is an opinion maker, or who defines dominant norms, rules and value” (Fuchs, 2014). This raises a question about the types of individuals who hold power in our society, specifically on social media. In these times of TikTok stars and influencers rising to fame and gaining millions of followers, there is a lot of trust and influence placed on these individuals. However, for the most part, a lot of these “influential” individuals are teenagers who are not the most informed or accredited. Yet, they have a huge following who believe and trust them. This is where the concept of power gets difficult to navigate as power is so often misplaced in our society and perpetuates false news, stereotypes, and judgments.

Fuchs, C. (2014). Social media : a critical introduction. Sage Publications.

Gonzalez, J., & Torres, J. (2012). News for all the people: The epic story of race and the American media. Verso.

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Blog Post: Week 1 Due 8/27

When has technology failed me?

I would like to think that overall I am a pretty techie person when it comes to my own technological devices. However, when working at my last retail job we had so many issues with our computers, devices and whole system crashing on us. Whether it was the scanners not scanning, our devices freezing on us for minutes on end, or our entire system not letting us check our guests...we had a fair few issues. At a big store you'd expect for the system and devices to be pretty smooth sailing but that was definitely not the case. Of course, those technological issues would always come at the worst times with the most impatient customers...typical! Not only did this affect the experience of our customers but also our sales for that day and the stress levels of the workers, including myself. We expect technology to always be on our side because of the advancements we’ve made in a decade. We don’t expect it to stop working and when it does, we become stuck like we are unable to function. In my example, the technology failing me really took me by surprise and we had no other way of doing our jobs.