digital communities

[digitalspheres-blog]

8. error 404 not found (in China)

Most of us have been raised in western culture and society and our teen years revolved around social media. Our friendships built through Facebook, our photo albums posted on Instagram, our journals found on Twitter and our celebrities on YouTube. We are a generation who don't know teenage/adult life without Facebook and Twitter, whereas behind a huge digital barricade are many of our peers who simply don't know Facebook or Twitter, period.

A lot of us are probably aware of China’s social platform landscape and the vast difference it has to that of the western world, but I don't think we understand the severity and extent of it - at least I didn't. In the mid-1990s, the Chinese Government built the barricade, known as the Great Firewall of China, which blocks all western social media platforms that are so prominent in our society, in hopes to restrict any foreign influence. Instead, mainland China only has access to Chinese applications, most of which resemble the social media giants we know - WeChat for Messenger, Weibo for Twitter, Youku for YouTube. The censorship involves a high amount of monitoring and surveillance of its users which in turn has resulted in the arresting and jailing of people who speak negatively of or against the Government on both public and ‘private’ platforms (making them not so private). The Government also has the capability of shutting down websites and any online content that may be harmful to their authority and the public’s opinion of those in power, which of course includes activism.

source: https://giphy.com/marslizard

The hashtag of ‘Me Too’, as part of the #MeToo feminism movement, was quickly identified and blocked by the censors and so activists had to find a way to still fight and spread awareness of the movement while remaining undetected by the Government - so #RiceBunny was created, translating to #Mitu in Chinese. Similarly, a self-taught lawyer by the name of Chen Guangcheng, who had been blind all his life, was arrested, put in jail for four years and put on house arrest with no windows or technology post-sentence, after he fought for civil rights, and against pollution, forced abortion and corruption. In response to his detainment, Chinese citizens took photos of themselves wearing dark sunglasses, similar to those worn by Guangcheng, and posted them online as a form of protest that would be untraceable by the authorities, as no words were involved. 

As crazy and restricting as this all may seem to those of us who have pretty much free rein over online content, our Chinese peers see the censorship as positive protection and wouldn't choose to change the way their internet works. An 18-month study gave a group of Chinas iGen access to an uncensored internet, with the researches being able to track their usage, and found that most participants were used to the censorship and were comfortable with the way they were brought up online, and so didn't actively seek new information and content that would typically be blocked for them. The participants simply have trust in the Government and their pledge to protect citizens from the potential terrorism, incorrect information and extremism online that they would not be able to filter out themselves.

[digitalspheres-blog]

*presentation on social gaming*

https://prezi.com/view/FhNOOThJhiwSdRAX6zqc/

[digitalspheres-blog]

7. am i a gamer now?

Social gaming is considered a structured activity that has contextual rules through which users can engage with one another online. Nick O’Neill believes that, in order to constitute as ‘social’, a game must be multiplayer and consist of one or more of the following features:

turn based

casual play

based on a social network (for identity purposes)

The popular social games that most of us would know are those shared on Facebook’s gaming platform like Candy Crush, Words with Friends and Hay Day, and then there are the more modern ones like Fortnite, which you either love or hate, and Clash of Clans. In all of these games, you play both with and against your friends online and have the option to share your results and invite others to play on the social network of which the game is connected. Whilst I would not at all consider myself a gamer, I have played my fair share of these social games for a few reasons:

the games are usually quite simple and, unless you're taking it very seriously, don’t require a whole lot of skill

everyone in my social circle tends to go through phases of each game and so I often play to be involved and be able to contribute to the trending topic at the time

these types of games are very often addictive and are a great way to kill time if you’re on a train, waiting for someone or something, or just procrastinating 

source: merrydogemas69.tumblr.com/post/11681386150

I think these three reasons for my play of social games would be common amongst my peers who are also not typically gamers and I  also think these reasons are why social games are so successful - they cater to everyone and are played by such a wide range of people and demographics.

These mobile games that I would play are at, what I would say, the more casual play end of the spectrum of the social game, whereas Fortnite is played quite religiously by a huge audience, of typically pre-teen and teenage boys, and has become “the most successful free-to-play console game of all time”. In March this year, it was found that there was a total of 250 million Fortnite players, which is insane to me - that is almost 10x the Australian population, all playing one online game. 

source: https://giphy.com/new-girl

Social games contribute to our sense of community and digital connectedness in the way that, as I mentioned before, often large parts of social circles or members in our filter bubble play an online game and through our desire to understand the excitement and contribute to pop culture conversations we also partake. By participating with or against our friends online, it keeps us all engaged and allows us to have the vital act of ‘play’ and healthy competition with our friends, even if we cannot physically be together.

[digitalspheres-blog]

6. online validation is the deep-fried food of mental health

We know that validating ourselves through numbers online is mentally unhealthy, yet it's so addictive - just like deep-fried food is physically. 

It is constantly said that social media, specifically Instagram, can be detrimental and damaging to a user’s mental health and self-esteem as it encourages people to compare themselves with the people and lives they see online (which are almost always orchestrated).  An article by psycom.net says that those who spent more time on social media had 2.2 times the chance of voicing issues related to body image and eating habits. Similarly, a strong correlation was found in the same article between the amount of time spent on social media and the likelihood of depression and sleeping problems.

Unfortunately, social media places a lot of emphasis on numbers representing somebody’s value and position on a social hierarchy - whether that’s through likes, follows, comments, or one of the many other numerical validation systems found on social platforms. This means that not only are social media users comparing themselves to an unattainable life but are trying to find happiness in their reality through the validation in likes on their posts. Keep in mind that very often these posts are thought out and planned to help build the image of their lifestyle that they’re trying to convince their followers they live. So, not only are they chasing this lifestyle they're seeing online that is beyond reach, but they’re also selling their own unrealistic lifestyle for their followers to chase - it’s a vicious cycle that seems to have no end.

However, in my own personal experience, I go onto these platforms and sites knowing full-well that what I’m seeing is either a) not genuine/real or b) only a small snippet of the person’s reality. I am very aware of the fact that whilst the photos posted online may be full of smiles, friends and good times, that the person also has down days where they’re crying, lonely and going through a tough time - because that's human. I’m not saying that I’m at all superior because I am able to have this reality check, of course, I, just like everyone I know (whether they admit it or not), do look at photos and videos online and have those aspirational thoughts, but I always try my best to have a realistic mindset when I’m online. A mindset that I believe needs to be greatly promoted and encouraged.

On a happier note, there is an endless amount of mental health support online that provides accessible professional help with free and anonymous sessions, phone calls, forums, and websites. These services, such as Beyond Blue, Headspace, and SANE, provide struggling users with interaction, tailored information, emotional support, and surveillance. Beyond Blue has around 100 staff members who work hard to help hundreds of thousands of people suffering from depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts through both their direct services, as well as their campaigns and media articles fighting to erase stigma, discrimination, and prejudice. On social media, Beyond Blue sees substantial growth each year on their Instagram and Facebook accounts creating a great reach, their largest being 900 thousand people on their Facebook ‘Go Home on Time Day’ post in 2017. 

Mental health is an issue that stems from a wide variety of aspects in one’s life, and while the online world can be detrimental to everyone's sense of validation and reality, especially that of young and impressionable minds, it also flips around on itself to help mend the issues it creates, through forums and support services. 

[digitalspheres-blog]

5. crowdsourcing - social medias biggest strength?

Quite possibly my favourite thing about social media and the argument I will always put forward in a debate about whether it's destroying or benefiting society, is the community it creates, connecting like-minded people from all around the globe that once may have never met. The connectivity that social media provides enables users to find new friends, keep contact with old friends, share their own news and learn about that of others, no matter where they are in the world. An amazing result of this unity is crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing refers to using online platforms to bring together a group of people from around the world to work together towards a common goal using services and resources available. 

source: http://yourreactiongifs.tumblr.com/post/85984603013

We most commonly see crowdsourcing working its hardest after a tragedy, such as the bombing of Ariana Grandes Manchester concert in 2017.  Social media was used not only to share the devastating news but enabled those in the area to ‘check-in’ on Facebook so family and friends knew they were safe, and on the other end any missing person reports could be shared. The online community came together to share how people around the world could assist and donate money, blood, food or any resource they had available. Many also posted their sympathy and condolences for the victims, their families, and their friends, spreading #prayforManchester in hopes to gain as much awareness as possible. 

source: https://weheartit.com/entry/289001158

In a business sense, many companies will use crowdsourcing as a way to enable consumers to provide ideas and opinions of products. By doing this, the company not only saves time and money on a creativity team but also is highly likely to create a larger success rate as the company is tailoring to their customers. It also builds a positive network and relationship with their consumers whilst widening the originality and creativity on their products - a win-win situation. LEGO does this perfectly with the ‘LEGO Ideas’ site where users are able to submit and design a product idea, vote on different potential products and really feel a part of the LEGO production process.

source: https://tenor.com/view/win-win-winning-lethal-weapon-all-good-gif-7250099

There can obviously be disadvantages to crowdsourcing as a business, such as a lack of confidentiality and therefore a lack of competitive advantage, the challenge of managing so much engagement/feedback and the likely potential that within the feedback there will be a lot of fake and joke entries. However, I feel as though it is a plan worth exploring as a business and if done correctly, has the potential to boost the business and it's brand/image.

[digitalspheres-blog]

4. the unavoidable troll

There is obviously a tonne of issues with online trolls and bullying, but my biggest issue is the almost normalisation of it all these days as its just. so. common. 40% of all internet users reported that they have experienced some form of online harassment, whether that be ‘harmlessly’ called a name or actually physically threatened. 40% is a huge number, especially when you consider the number, and range, of internet users.

Cambridge Dictionary defines trolls as “someone who leaves an intentionally annoying message on the internet” with the intention of causing trouble and/or gaining attention, and in my opinion, someone who is also a ‘keyboard warrior’. Our lovely keyboard warriors are those who act tough and post aggressive threats online however would not perform or act the same in reality, whether that is due to physical weakness, fear/hate of confrontation or just a lack of bravery - they simply hide behind their keyboard.

source: https://gifimage.net/keyboard-warrior-gif-13/

Trolling is an impulsive form of online communication that makes the perpetrator feel powerful and the attention they can receive brings them a sense of status. When looking into the psychology behind trolls it is more often than not concluded that they are making up for superiority, emotions, and attentiveness that they lack in their real lives, searching for some sort of validation and an outlet for their built-up anger. Trolls find comfort in the anonymity of the internet, using their temporary loss of identity to give them the confidence to post whatever negative comment they wish as physical and real consequences are rare, at least for them.

This, however, is often not the case for those receiving the comments. A lot of the time troll comments can be dismissed as some lonely person with too much time on their hands just trying to drag others down to their level, but it is far from rare for such comments to also cause lasting effects. A 2018 study found that cyberbullying makes people twice as likely to cause self-harm and/or attempt suicide, and it was also reported that around 750 Aussie teens ages 13-17 committed suicide as a result of online harassment. 

source: https://giphy.com/gifs/dylan-o-brien-phone-the-internship-qq10h0SiaHYas

Whilst I’ve never personally experienced trolls, I have definitely witnessed them, especially on large Instagram accounts and YouTube videos. Instagram is, of course, a very visual platform and one that frequently showcases personal images to the public, giving trolls a lot of easy-to-pick-at content. People often forget that celebrities and social media influencers are real people with real emotions and instead see them as two-dimensional characters, resulting in little to no guilt when posting rude comments on personal features, attributes or events occurring in their lives. YouTube is notorious for its comment section as trolls are regularly their most brutal due to the large scale and less personal account (as a viewer) side of YouTube. The platform is definitely a place where trolls easily get away with their actions as YouTubers dismiss these comments and rarely respond or add fuel to the flame. 

source: https://gawker.com/you-suck-ass-drake-a-taxonomy-of-thirsty-celebrity-ins-1648733769

Staying on top of trolls and negative comments is almost impossible and at this point is hardly even attempted. I think the fact that we’re so accustomed and unaffected by constant negativity intentionally directed at people says a lot about our current society, but I, unfortunately, have no solution to the problem, except for relying on each platform to identify and delete these users - which I will give them credit for already trying their best to do. 

[digitalspheres-blog]

3. activism in the digital world

The online world has certainly changed the game for activists - whether it's for the better or worse is up to you.

The use of social media has made spreading a message and getting a voice heard much easier for activist organisations, especially in a global sense. With the ability to create petitions, events and articles and then share them on social media platforms to millions across the globe, activists are now able to create more momentum and gain more supporters than ever before. The flip side to this is the rise of ‘clicktvisim’ - the act of supporting a cause from a simple click of the mouse. Clicktivism has led to people signing an online petition, boosting their ‘good person’ status as they feel they've helped create change, but never actually going out to actively contribute.

source: https://tenor.com/view/im-trying-to-be-good-trying-good-better-person-kristen-bell-gif-11002922

#BlackLivesMatter is said to have been one of the first notable examples of online activism after being created in 2013, following the release of George Zimmerman - an American man who fatally shot 17-year-old African-American Trayvon Martin. The hashtag was created by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi to fight against the unjust violence experienced by the “Black communities by the state and vigilantes” as stated on their website. The hashtag gained global momentum quickly which has resulted in almost 3,000 protests occurring since 2014 and in 2018 it was estimated by Pew Research Center that #BlackLivesMatter featured in over 17,000 tweets per day. Without this support that has stemmed from their social media presence, the movement may not have been able to (or at least it would’ve taken a lot more time and effort) make the political changes they have - the charging of police officers for their crimes, the banning of police departments from obtaining military equipment, and the increased wear of body cameras by the police, enabling the correct accountability to be held in such instances. 

source: https://giphy.com/gifs/black-lives-matter-7iL3tke98yuA

Other successful online activism campaigns include #MeToo, #HeForShe, the #ALSIceBucketChallenge and #MarchForOurLives. Whilst all of these have used social media to their advantage and fought for their courses both on and offline, I think it is important to note the vital role social media played for #MarchForOurLives. This hashtag was created to fight for tighter gun laws in the United States by student survivors of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018. The hashtag allowed these students to reach an audience so large that more than 450 marches took place across the US on the weekend of March 24-25 2018. The entire event was organised online and picked up an enormous amount of press and recognition from high profile celebrities and influencers, resulting in the march becoming the largest youth-led protest since the Vietnam War era.

These examples all rely on, or stem from, the use of the hashtag that I’ve discussed before as an affordance that has given a whole new meaning to Twitter and made social media all the more connected, across platforms. Of course, online activism comes in all different forms just as anything does. Adbsuters does an incredible job at breaking down the advertising we constantly are exposed to and challenging consumerism. They protest serious topics in a way that manages to be taken seriously despite its light-hearted nature, often using culture jamming. Culture jamming focuses on interrupting advertisements and revealing the underlying ideologies, exposing the propaganda that often lurks below. 

source: https://www.adbusters.org/spoof-ads

I do personally believe that social media has changed activism for the better and that those who simply click ‘sign petition’ but never make effort to act on it are still doing more than they once would've without the online petition - when was the last time you signed a hard copy petition someone shoved in your face outside of the supermarket? Also, whilst they might not act on it, there are still plenty of eager and passionate activists out there fighting for their cause and still plenty of organisations out there finding new recruits and volunteers - most of whom have found about the other online.

[digitalspheres-blog]

2. #auspol? y/n

The Australian government is without a doubt a bit of an inconsistent mess that, by this point, a lot of Aussies have given up on and don’t always take seriously. We have flipped through six prime ministers (Kevin Rudd x2) since John Howard ended his 12 years leading the Liberal Party in 2007, none of which have served a full term. Out of these six, Julia Gillard held power for the longest, serving as prime minister for three years and three days from June 24, 2010, to June 27, 2013.

source: https://www.reddit.com/r/reactiongifs/comments/1ln15e/mrw_i_have_to_rewash_all_my_housemates_dishes/

Throughout these ever-changing leaders in parliament, the eating of a raw onion by then-prime minister Tony Abbott, then-prime minister Julia Gillard's sexism claims against then-opposition Tony Abbott, and the recent egging of Senator Fraser Anning, there has been one reliable ally - #auspol.

#auspol is a hashtag for Australian politics that allows the public to share their opinions and commentary, comedic or genuine, into a collective online space. In an article for Mashable Australia, Ariel Bogle dates #auspol back to June 1, 2010, when Twitter user @capt_vellichor tweeted “Anyone remember @turnbullmalcolm getting pasted for asking folks a Q on twitter? I can’t bloody remember what it was. Any help? #auspol”. Since then it has become the most active hashtag in the country and was listed as the third most popular global hashtag in 2015, featuring in around 9,000 tweets per day. 

source: https://nationalpost.com/news/world/australian-senator-faces-censure-for-anti-immigration-stance

Twitter was created as a site for micro-blogging, allowing users to share their experiences within a 140-character limit, however, hashtags have created an easily accessible and searchable space for users to share opinions and thoughts on a topic. This affordance of Twitter allows others to engage in a topic, event or debate at a later time and assists users in presenting their tweet to an interested audience.

#auspol has created a community for those with a curiosity for politics, and the ideas and opinions that come with them. It has also created a collection of data where anyone can find out who agrees with which views, who is voting for which party and most importantly, who is undecided. As this information is public on Twitter, politicians and their parties can be aware of where they are sitting with the public, read opinions and criticisms of their decisions and adjust their tactics accordingly before an election.

Needless to say, I’m excited and intrigued to see the effect that #auspol may have on the upcoming federal election later this year.

source: https://www.reddit.com/r/gifs/comments/1kzzwo/kevin_rudd_australias_pm_dancing_to_some_beats/

[digitalspheres-blog]

1. an identity crisis

In the simplest of terms, Tumblr is a website that allows users to post an array of content from photos, videos and music to links, quotes and quote possibly most important, text, on their ‘dashboard’. But does it fall under the umbrella of a social media site or a blog site? 

Kaplan and Haenlein (2010) describe social media as “a group of Internet-based applications” that allow users to modify the platform in a collaborative fashion through the publishing of user-generated content, whilst also allowing users to communicate and network. There is no doubt that Tumblr falls within these guidelines as the content posted to the site very often contains some originality whether it is minor - a simple comment made to a picture that a user ‘reblogs’, or major - a personal experience posted in text or original fanart.

‘Unwrapping’ here on Tumblr wrote that the site had an estimated 600 million posts made in February 2019 from the 456.1 million blogs on the site, according to Statista - now that's some serious platform modification. Tumblr’s messaging and public online status features allow the millions of users to connect and network, a key aspect of a social media site as noted. However’ whilst all the features are there to be used and to create a sense of being on ‘social media’, I have found through my use of Tumblr that these communication features often go unused and are not the reason users are attracted to the site. 

On the other hand, Tumblr’s blogging nature, having the freedom of expression through content and the progressive culture of Tumblr is what makes the site appealing. Bonnie Nardi and the other authors of their book ‘Why We Blog’, found that blogging is often seen as a form of personal communication and expression, providing an outlet for bloggers. Posting to a blog holds a very similar feeling as writing in a personal journal/diary or creating a scrapbook. Additionally, blogging provides the aspect of public accessibility creating the opportunity for users to find others with a similar mindset - whether that be sharing similar experiences, interests, sense of humour or just loving the same ~aesthetic~. 

In my opinion, Tumblr functions, for the most part, as a blog (or a microblog if we want to be specific) that holds the ability to bring together communities like a social media platform would. Our society seems to have a really hard time collectively deciding on anything and so Tumblr is likely to never be classified as one or the other, however, if I were to place it on a spectrum, Tumblr would be found much further up the blog end.