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milduty · 3 years

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Ferguson, N. (2021) ‘Control, halt, delete‘ The Spectator, January, Vol 345; no 10,038 p. 12-14

‘Can anyone stand up to big tech?’ questioned the historian Niall Ferguson in a weekly British magazine on politics, culture and current affairs ‘The Spectator’. The article outlines the growing power of big network platforms Facebook, Amazon, Twitter, Google and Apple (he later simply refers to this combination as FATGA) over social media platform users’ (including high rank politicians such as President D.Trump) opinions and freedom of speech. One of the most vivid questions I raised in my project ideas proposal was whether modern technology (internet, social media platforms in particular) has any impact on our freedom of speech or freedom of expression (when we talk about artists) and what that impact might be. This question is extremely relevant in today’s society because technology growth changes our ways of living, natural environment, our sociable behavior, and beliefs. The last few decades have shown what modern society values the most - voice, equality, freedom (I am referring to the numerous protests that happened in the past few decades starting with political and legal independence of countries and regions and finishing with human rights and environmental activism). I chose the above source because of its recency and relevance to my research theme in sociological context.

N.Ferguson starts off by comparing the power and dominance of FATGA with the Pre-Reformation Catholic Church at its height of power. This comparison gave a pretty clear insight where big tech companies stand in our everyday lives today. In 2020/2021 it was proven to us that without smartphones, laptops, apps and other “modern day ammunition” we wouldn’t be able to enter a restaurant or have team meetings at work, nor also seek medical advice or educate our children. This is quite a felicitous comparison, I would say, and just to add up, I think despite all the comfort and advance we have in our lives today thanks to modern technology, the question of freedom of speech on social media platforms is still on the table.

Subsequently some facts about censorship on online media platforms were laid out in this article. N. Ferguson casually tells readers how Twitter and Facebook start shutting down and suspending multiple accounts 'because of their expressed political views’ (Ferguson, N., 2021, p.13) and points out discrimination of some social media users (he uses the recent example of President D. Trump and his supporters). Then contrasts this to the argument raised by Justice Anthony Kennedy that it is unconstitutional to prevent sex offenders from accessing and expressing opinions on social network platforms. This parallel makes me (and probably most of the readers) consider what is acceptable and not on social media platforms and if all opinions are really welcome. Not very long ago I noted Australian conservative political commentator Sydney Watson asking her followers on YouTube to follow her on other platforms as YouTube allegedly deletes her content (and recently the broadcaster TalkRadio had their YouTube channel temporarily removed for objecting to the latest lockdown measures bought in by the U.K government). This once again proves the relevance of the issue raised in N.Ferguson’s article.

Where does law stand in the matters of free speech on the online platforms? Who is held accountable in the cases of hate speech and harmful in any way content online, user or provider? Justice Anthony Kennedy refers to online platforms as “the modern public square”, “most important place for the exchange of views” (Ferguson, N. 2021, p.13) various lawsuits over the years been referring to the big tech as: “public good, held in private hands” (Ferguson, N. 2021 p.13). These names gave us an inkling of a free, comfortable and trusted environment to express our opinions and hear others. The article then refers us to the Telecommunications Act of 1996 which states that the websites are immune from liability for what their users post, but also entitled to take down any content that they don't like. This Legislation (in the US) in my opinion, is pretty outdated taking into account how fast technology is growing and social media platform influence is rising (there is mounting evidence that more and more younger people get their news from social media as opposed to more traditional means). However, it raised another contentious question in my head- are we free, censored or both when it comes to social media platforms?

Throughout the whole article N. Ferguson expresses constructive criticism to FATGA and their relation to political and sociological opinions expressed online. He gives examples of “silenced” or banned until-lockdown campaigners, politicians and even academics. The argument the author raises is whether something should be done about it ? Change of legislation referring to the internet? Yes I agree that it should be reviewed merely because technology is moving forward so fast and the internet has become a huge part of our everyday life. It is one of the best inventions of humanity- a network which allows us to communicate and access information from any part of the word. With censorship (even if it is invisible, and doesn’t directly affect us) we lose opportunity to hear and challenge each other’s and our own opinions, improve in certain fields when we receive criticism addressed to us, opportunity to reevaluate our own views and gain critical thinking which helps us to move forward. We don’t want a step back for freedom of speech in the 21st century.

Combining satirical comparisons and publicism historian Niall Ferguson created an engaging style of this article compelling readers once again reconsider big tech companies’ influence on our freedom of expression. In the end of the text he refers to George Orwell (English novelist, journalist and critic) who raised concepts of socialism, censorship and invisible society manipulation in his mid 20th century novels and essays, and leaves some space for readers to decide whether it is fiction or prediction of our future.

#reflectingonresearch ma mastersinarts #critical analysis #criticalthinking

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milduty · 3 years

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23 04 2021

What is my Methodology ?

I would describe my main methodology as practice based research. My main focus is to advance knowledge about practice and I use theoretical research to improve my practical or performance skills. In terms of methods I carry out within my practice I would say I only did case study so far. My final MA project idea is very theory based, so in order to gain understanding about my subject and explore it further, I had to look through other authors' work within the subject. I am considering applying survey practice later on in my research, but not entirely sure if it's an efficient and rewarding method, and will need to discuss it with my tutor.

Iterative cyclic web model creates a circle of different methods and ideas used at different stages throughout the process of research. The right hand side is more concerned with the practice-led research, the left hand side with research-led practice. You can reverse this cycle and use ideas and theories developed on one side as outcomes of the research on another side.

I think it is possible to apply most of these methodologies explained in this section to any creative practice research. I think Longitudinal study would be least relevant to my discipline because of time consumption and lengthiness. So far I only used case study and experimental methodologies in my practice and research but I am seriously considering using Survey in future just to enhance a chance of my research to be innovative and successful.

In my opinion using multiple methodologies in practice and research is more effective, because you can reflect on your work from different perspectives. Also there is a better chance of innovation and advance in the field when applying different methods at different stages of the research. For example you can discover one type of knowledge while doing a case study and different while carrying out a survey or experiment. I am currently considering types of methods I will use in my Creative MA project. To understand what type of methods to use all the way through the study i need to get to the core of my concept, set up goal and decide which methods are most effective in achieving it.

#research #methodology #research and development #reflectingonresearch ma mastersinarts

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milduty · 3 years

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15 04 2021 Reflecting on research and Practice of my MA in Illustration

I have always enjoyed creative tasks more than academic writing, simply because sometimes creative ideas just come to me organically and it's not always easy to explain the process and reasons behind some creative decisions. I found it difficult and very time consuming to provide written reflections under each creative experiment or small task and theoretical research can be draining too if I am not able to find relevant information for a longer period of time. However, I enjoy drawing, sketching, making mood boards and making visual outcomes of the tasks.

The easiest and most enjoyable parts of this programme were visual research and creating illustration. I am passionate about drawing and expressing my ideas through images not words- sorry Gareth, you have been a great tutor, but academic writing isn’t one of my strengths.

The most challenging part in this course was time managing for me. Two consecutive modules - creative and research plus full time job, I really had to plan my time accordingly. The solution was to spare some time for studying everyday. Even if it was reading, looking for relevant videos or films or putting together mood boards. Once I developed my final project's main idea, I tried to gather information on a daily basis everywhere around me.

I tried to make creative and fun outcomes of most of my tasks. I think having a group's forum and gallery really helps to improve everyone’s approach to the audience and make each task aesthetically appealing and interesting to read. With that in mind I aimed my work to look fun and entertaining and that I think, is my strength.

Thorough research in both modules. I lack sketching and annotations in Art and Design because I tend to show more of the complete illustrations rather than it’s development. And I lack more in depth research of my final Ma project idea as well. To improve the quality of my work I tried to get my tutors and peers feedback on each one of the tasks and spend more time on areas where I need to improve (academic writing for example).

I think I am on the right path when it comes to concept development. I have learned how to generate my creative ideas and develop them further using step by step research, creative experiments and analytical thinking. I would like to further explore research methodology and drawing techniques.

The most inspiring and at the same time most complex part is concept development of any major or minor task. Creative ideas generating gives you lots of freedom which is exciting and inspiring, however it can sometimes be frustrating if the outcome is not how you imagined it in the beginning. The most inspiring part of this programme was my MA ideas generating, because I had some time to reflect on myself as a creative and on the path I want to take in artistic studies.

I need to focus on the process more and not the outcome. I tend to jump to a final result too quick without actually enjoying the process of sketching and experimenting.

I mainly learned to evaluate my work and improve it. I am also still learning to gradually explore ideas via experiment and research. This will be useful in any creative job I will do in future.

I see a potential in my illustrations, even though they lack technical skill (which I am working on), they have a bit of ideological/conceptual weight now. I got inspired by political illustrators Morten Morland and John Holcroft and really want to take mine into a new exciting level.

#reflecting #evaluation #reflectingonresearch MA mastersinarts

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