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[junfoong]

🌀 Week 12 : need help? crowdsource it 💀 (algorithm save me!!! oh, nvm...)

when disaster strikes, the network listens.

Huhhh, so you mean to tell me that we've all become emergency responders now? SINCE WHEN?

🧠 Crowdsourcing error 101 feat. urgent version

It's called the Internet's collective intelligence assistance. Think more of it as a "tag everyone you know & pray that the algorithm is kind than "email a hotline"

I mean it's NOT NEW. For instance, back in 1714, the british government offered money to anyone who could figure out longitude (Chrum, 2013) . Dumb but crazy i guess...

Thanks to the digital networks, my Instagram stories, Tweet's and RedNote may be a part of a wider network of a real-time info during a huge crisis. Slayyy 💅

🕸️ So like, it is crisis-ready for the network ?

No doubt that the network matters.

📞 Centralised = one hotline 🔁 Decentralised = a few connected nodes 🌐 Distributed = everyone yells into the void AND hears back

Which one works best when the electricity goes out and everything is on fire? Yes. distributed. The group chat and Twitter is flooded with this kind of stuff... The ABC even abandoned their previous methodology and began operating localised accounts amid bushfires and floods (Posetti & Lo, 2011). Wise? Indeed. Messy? Pretty much

📲 Witnessing… but digital

Once upon a time, no one paid attention to shaky phone videos. Now? Your TikTok might be the only proof of what really happened during a crisis.

Horbury & Hughes (2010) further explained that social media isn't just a place to share content—it's where we try to make sense of what's going on.

“What just happened? Who’s responsible? Are my friends safe? Am I safe?”

And Instagram’s like: “Boohoo, I don't know how to feel about this but you know what... You should post a photo dump.” 😭💅

🚨 vEriFiCaTiOn? siGn mE uP!

Here's the tricky part

Not everyone is being truthful

Everyone can post any content

Verification is tuff but it's important

According to Ford (2012), technology such as Ushahidi provides a cool bird's-eye view, but the information is only useful if it is true. Otherwise, the comments section is a complete disaster.

🧠 Crisis? Community? Collective intelligence?

Pierre Lévy would scream right now (in a good way). He referred to this as "collective intelligence"—the notion that our collective brain can outperform any single organisation. We're talking networked publics, grassroots response, and a group of strangers on TikTok using Google Docs to save lives.

Thank you to CrisisCommons and Random Hacks of Kindness, whose names are well-known. 💅

🤖 We are the emergency service? Huhh?

Nyeaaa, i meant it's safe to mentioned that the line between citizens and responder is blurring

We have built digital communities that reacts faster , even before the government knew what the hell happened! Bad news? The platform still controls on who gets seen, whose crisis goes viral, and who gets ignored.

Things could get out of control like yes... It can saves lives but it can also spread lies. Oh yea, what happened to Annabelle? Still no news? 🧍‍♂️

📚 References

Fostikov, A. A. (2023, January 19). Crowdsourcing in history and digital humanities. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/367272738_Crowdsourcing_in_history_and_digital_humanities

Howe, J. (2006, January). The Rise of Crowdsourcing. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/200504371_The_Rise_of_Crowdsourcing

Mortensen, M. (2015). Connective witnessing: Reconfiguring the relationship between the individual and the collective. Information, Communication & Society, 18(11), 1393–1406. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118x.2015.1061574

[junfoong]

💬 Week 11 : the comment section? it's a disaster...

okay so~ Social Media conflict is so common that I think it's just people beefing in the comments or quote-tweeting drama for clout until more and more posters mentioned about "cyberbullying." Let's deep dive on the real harms behind the memes of harassment, power imbalances, platform failures & yea... Being online isn't really the same for everyone.

It turns out that digital citizenship is more than just your online behaviour. It's also about who feels protected, who is silenced, and whether platforms are truly concerned with protecting anyone who does not meet the algorithm's "ideal user."

Spoiler Alert! They don't 🥰

🔥 Need new content? Let's start a conflict

While social media is marketed as a platform for free expression and community, the reality is more complicated than you expected. In addition to national laws and terms of service, platforms are regulated by numerous informal rules, a culture centred around vibes, and who is given a voice.

According to Marwick and Caplan (2018), networked harassment is more than just "trolling," as it is amplified, gendered, and often orchestrated. Nyeaaa, statistics don't lie 😒 According to Plan International (2020), 59% of girls worldwide face online abuse, while The Guardian (Gardiner et al., 2016) reports that women and people of colour face the greatest hate.

💬 Platforms be like: "everything seems under control" (but they’re not)

Sure ~I mean laws exist for a reason — like the Online Safety Act (2021) in Australia — the enforcement is patchy, and what? the platforms still benefit from engagement, even when it’s freaking harmful??? It's the truth...Gillespie (2018) calls platform moderation a balancing act between liability, PR, and profit. And guess what usually wins?

Ughhh, of course it's the creators and influencers, particularly those who are marginalised, are frequently allowed to deal with abuse on their own unless it threatens the brand's image. Corporate social responsibility on social media is typically reactive rather than protective.

🧠 Strategies of surviving the feed? Well...

The lecture mentioned four core ways people resist or respond to online harm:

Humour ( for example: comedians clapping back),

Collective pressure (mentioning more of platforms and brands),

Digital tools (report, block, restrict etc. ),

Legal channels 

The problem? It's all about emotional work, digital knowledge, and typically the support of an entire community. Or not? You are basically yelling into the void while someone with ten burners insulting you with slurs.

👁 This relates to digital citizenship?

Yes! Why? Not everyone is equally heard & safe or treated... AND being silent is NOT always a choice! Although it did reframed digital citizenship not merely as a right, but as something that must be preserved, regulated, and rebuilt — particularly for those who are constantly marginalised by both people and platforms. 📚 References:

Bankov, B. (2019, October). The Impact of Social Media on Video Game Communities and the Gaming Industry. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337144821_The_Impact_of_Social_Media_on_Video_Game_Communities_and_the_Gaming_Industry

Nadim, M., & Fladmoe, A. (2019). Silencing Women? Gender and Online Harassment. Social Science Computer Review, 39(2), 089443931986551. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894439319865518

Gillespie, T. (2018, January). Custodians of the internet: Platforms, content moderation, and the hidden decisions that shape social media. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327186182_Custodians_of_the_internet_Platforms_content_moderation_and_the_hidden_decisions_that_shape_social_media

Marwick, A. E. (2021). Morally Motivated Networked Harassment as Normative Reinforcement. Social Media + Society, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051211021378

[junfoong]

🎮 Week 10 : me? emotionally attached to a Minecraft Streamer? yes...

Dang it! I thought gaming was just pressing some buttons and say a few words to some random strangers over lag. My lecture has made me understand deeper on gaming culture, streaming and fan-led digital citizenship , gotta say I am shooketh !

🛜 Gaming = more than games???

Apparently, a game isn't just something you win as according to Suits (1978), it's the voluntary attempt to overcome some unnecessary obstacles. Rage Quitting over Mobile Legends - seems valid haha. no.

Games aren't just for fun — they're culture. They're a community although they aren't as open as they seem... When the word, gamer was mentioned, we often thought of it as young, male, white / east asian and tech-savvy — which means that everyone else is viewed as a tourist in a space they helped develop. Doesn't sound too cute :)

🧠 Gaming communities =  social ecosystems

Huhhh? So, you are telling me that gaming communities are layered? Not just in 1 but flowing between many, based on skill, knowledge, vibes or whatever the platform that is on that day. Nevertheless, it's not all about games, it's all about friendships, fandom, knowledge and shared emotional investment. How sweet...

Also special shoutout to the modders as they not only revamp the games , they change them into a new experience !!! Sometimes, the modders were so good that even fans will pressure creators to add new features. It's freaking gnarly!

📡 Streaming? New game?

Hardwick did broke down on how platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Mixer turned a gameplay into a new kind of content, turning gamers into micro-celebrities. Some streamers build entire careers off live playthroughs — and yes, it’s monetised.

However it’s more than the game. Communities form around the streamers themselves. You’re not just there for Fortnite — you’re there for them. And suddenly, it’s not just watching — it’s participating, chatting, tipping, co-creating a vibe.

👾 Digital citizenship feat. coding from the modders

Let's be real... Whether you are a player, viewer, modder or some person who wants to be part of something — you're engaging in knowledge-sharing, content production, and cultural participation. You're navigating platform politics, community rules, and shared identity work.

It is safe to say that gaming isn’t “just entertainment.” It’s community-building, identity-making, and sometimes… capitalism 🥹✨

📚 References :

Sotamaa, O. (2010). When the Game Is Not Enough: Motivations and Practices Among Computer Game Modding Culture. Games and Culture, 5(3), 239–255. https://doi.org/10.1177/1555412009359765

Deuze, M. (2007). Convergence culture in the creative industries. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 10(2), 243–263. https://doi.org/10.1177/1367877907076793

Bankov, B. (2019, October). The Impact of Social Media on Video Game Communities and the Gaming Industry. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337144821_The_Impact_of_Social_Media_on_Video_Game_Communities_and_the_Gaming_Industry

[junfoong]

😩 Week 9: mAi fAcE? tHe aLgOrItHm aPpRovEs iT (filter not found irl...)

Remember the time Snapchat kinda went trendy because of the dog filter ? Nowadays, it's a trend to use Korean "natural" or with makeup filter to enhance your beauty. But now, I'm on the verge of consult for nose job, botox and maybe cheek filler???

*Apparently... filters = digital identity performance. Let's not think about that, haha...

✨ Filters: Add-ons beauty expectations?

Filters used to be funny... Instead, they're a DEFAULT every time you want to take a selfie with your besties 👯‍♂️ That thing. The one that makes your skin flawless 💅 , making you look "effortlessly beautiful." Gurl, no. That right there is not your real face. 🥲

According to Rettberg (2014), filters are like the sugar for your drinks — they let the “flavour” (aka beauty aesthetic) come through, and block the “bad bits.” So basically: if you don’t look perfect like your Instagram post or stories… filters will do the job for you.

📲 The Face You vs. the Algorithm You

AR filters have shifted from ✨fun✨ to ✨function✨. Lavrence & Cambre (2020) called this “ambient editing” — the soft, subtle filters that change just enough to mess with your sense of self. Suddenly, even you don’t know what your face looks like without the lashes and lip plump.

It’s giving Snapchat dysmorphia (Rajanala et al., 2018). People literally take filtered selfies to cosmetic surgeons now. Not even trying to look like celebs — just their ✨edited selves✨ We’ve gone from “inspiration pic of Bella Hadid” to “can you make me look like ME… but only on Tuesdays when I have this specific filter on.” 💅

👁 Surveillance Aesthetics — sounds creepy but go ahead

We know apps like Facetune aren't just for quick edits — they kinda subtly teach you to find the flaw parts of yourself that you barely noticed. Elias & Gill refer to this as beauty surveillance — you're the brand, the boss and your own harshest critic. We are so used to the media's definition of "hot" that it's not about the aesthetic anymore. It's emotional labor 📑

And here’s where it gets spicy: pornification (Drenten & Gurrieri, 2019). Filters often push femmes to perform sexualised versions of themselves for higher engagement. The platform wants you to be hot — but only in one very curated, hetero-coded way. 🥵

Cyberfeminists like Haraway (1991) believed tech could free us from these body norms. Right now? I think It’s mostly reinforcing them — just with sparkle overlays.

So yeah, being a digital citizen now means knowing the algorithm is shaping your face and your feelings. Love that for us 😩.

📚 References:

Rettberg, J. W. (2014). Seeing Ourselves Through Technology. Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137476661

Ramphul, K., & Mejias, S. G. (2018). Is “Snapchat Dysmorphia” a Real Issue?. Cureus, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.2263

Rollero, C. (2022). Mass Media Beauty Standards, Body Surveillance, and Relationship Satisfaction within Romantic Couples. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(7), 3833. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19073833

João Magalhães. (2017). Algorithmic visibility – Elements of new regime of visibility. Connected Life. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321245421_Algorithmic_visibility_-_Elements_of_new_regime_of_visibility

Drenten, J., Gurrieri, L., & Tyler, M. (2019). Sexualized labour in digital culture: Instagram influencers, porn chic and the monetization of attention. Gender, Work & Organization, 27(1), 41–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwao.12354

[junfoong]

💄 Week 8: the algorithm doesn't think I'm cute enough? Ughhh, DELETE that selfie !!!

Nyeahhh, selfies are for the hot people like for example ME 💅 ! Apparently... the effort of behind a new post isn't just for the aesthetic. iT's lAbOuRrRrrr. How emotional, strategic and deeply performative.

Aesthetic labour? what's that? Basically, it's the emotional and visual work required to present yourself in a way that fits the platforms standard of trends. i mean LOOKS MATTER right? since visual-first platform like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube existed for a reason... It's the part where the algorithm rewards users who align with dominant beauty norms.

Less authentic self-expression and more "what gets you seen" like ughhh, you know what i meant. It's self branding according to Marwick (2013) - users adopt influencer strategies to stay visible from posing, lighting, filters, angles , just all of it to the kind of unpaid performance.

All of that hard-work... The paycheck? Indeed, questionable... 🧍‍♂️

📲 Micro-celebrity & platform culture... Every user is a brand, you don't need to be famous - just be consistent, curated and clickable. However, I'll admit that it is pressuring to fit the aesthetic of the industry.

✨You are not posting for fun, it's your job, your role ✨

It's sO wEiRd that the lecture broke down on how this visibility of future affects our mental health as well as body image. It's not what it looks like — it's about needing to look that way to be seen. As for Mavroudis (2020) mentioned that this is the rising anxiety around physical appearance, especially when "success" online means to CONFORMING the algorithm's approved aesthetics or trends.

🔞 okay, this is awkward... Pornification....

As described by Drenten & Gurrieri (2019), it is the pressure to adopt sexualised aesthetics — commonly received from women and femmes that mirror the look of commercial porn. (Exaggerated curves, pouty lips, sultry poses)

Either way that kind of content itself is curated for visibility — not comforting in any other way. What's worst? The platform are so complicated !!! Ughhh, the algorithm is being biased you know 😒 !? Queer influencers, trans people and basically anyone who don't fit the cis-het white beauty standards are sOoOoo getting shadow-banned & ignored...

It's all about navigating systemic invisibility 💅

😒 sO, wHaT dOes tHiS hAvE tO dO wiTH diGitAL cItiZeNsHiP ?

this isn't just about what you post — it's supposed to be what platforms to let you be you! cOmE oN, tHiS iS 2025, what kind of "participation" is that if you have to pretend to be the "you" that people you see online.

Now it's all about being your true self !!!

Are we supposed to shape our digital selves, or just surviving in some platforms dumb algorithm?

References : 

Marwick, A. E. (2013, January). Status Update: Celebrity, Publicity, and Branding in the Social Media Age. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281668405_Status_Update_Celebrity_Publicity_and_Branding_in_the_Social_Media_Age

Abidin, C. (2016). Visibility labour: Engaging with Influencers’ fashion brands and #OOTD advertorial campaigns on Instagram. Media International Australia, 161(1), 86–100.

Miguel, C., Clare, C., Ashworth, C. J., & Hoang, D. (2023). Self-branding and Content Creation Strategies on Instagram: a Case Study of Foodie Influencers. Information, Communication & Society, 27(8), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118x.2023.2246524

Drenten, J., Gurrieri, L., & Tyler, M. (2019). Sexualized labour in digital culture: Instagram influencers, porn chic and the monetization of attention. Gender, Work & Organization, 27(1), 41–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwao.12354

Duffy, B. E., & Meisner, C. (2022). Platform Governance at the margins: Social Media Creators’ Experiences with Algorithmic (in)visibility. Media, Culture & Society, 45(2), 285–304. https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437221111923

Khamis, S., Ang, L., & Welling, R. (2016, August). Self-branding, “micro-celebrity” and the rise of Social Media Influencers. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306922796_Self-branding_

[junfoong]

🧠 WEEK 7: Yasss, Queen. That fit slayyy

ok look, hear me out... I know that thrifting is cute and I love a good ootd moment but this topic had me questioning about my shopping habits. It's more of a whether it's "sustainable or if I'm just romanticising my Depop addiction. 🤤

Well, it was not supposed to be a guilt trip about fast fashion although I'll have to admit the status were a bit of an alarming and terrifying... It was about how we engage with the world through the things we support, share, and consume; it's not just about voting or denouncing online bullies. Apparently, there is a global environmental catastrophe even affecting that $5 tank top I purchased "just for layering." Wow , isn't it fun... ☺️

We discussed how ethical involvement, community values, and, in this case, the use of social media to advocate for change are all aspects of digital citizenship. Venetia La Manna and Tiffany Ferguson are two fashion influencers that are genuinely using their platforms to highlight the negative aspects of fast fashion and educate the public about sustainability. It's donating: ✨activist posts ✨on Instagram.

I mean, I knew fast fashion was bad, but reading the actual stats... That hits different :

10% of the world's carbon emissions come from this business.

It causes 20% of the global water pollution (yikes)

Approximately 8.2 million tons of garments are discarded in the landfills annually according to Statista, 2022; Brewer, 2019

I mean well , that's not set in stone...

At this point, where does digital citizenship fit into this picture???

It's about using technology "responsibly and positively," according to the eSafety Commissioner (2022). Additionally, that covers the content we decide to approve of, repost, or remove. Posting your secondhand clothing, following a slow fashion creator, or sharing an infographic are all examples of micro-acts of participation. While they don't provide a solution for every problem, they do indicate something.

It's crucial to keep in mind, though, that not everyone can afford to purchase sustainably, and that doesn't make someone a bad citizen. Though it's not always available, slow fashion is fantastic. Recognising these gaps and filling them without stifling the movement are other aspects of digital citizenship.

Anyways , for the sake of the earth, I'll be wearing the same shirt for the remainder of the semester , just like the cartoon characters ✊🌱

References : 

Topic: Banking industry in Indonesia. (2024). Statista. https://www.statista.com/topics/9658/apparel-market-worldwide/

Pookulangara, S., & Shephard, A. (2013). Slow Fashion Movement: Understanding Consumer Perceptions—An Exploratory Study. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 20(2), 200–206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2012.12.002

McKinsey & Company. (2024, November 11). The State of Fashion 2025: Challenges at Every Turn. The Business of Fashion. https://www.businessoffashion.com/reports/news-analysis/the-state-of-fashion-2025-bof-mckinsey-report/

Maiti, R. (2025, January 20). The Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion, Explained. Earth.org. https://earth.org/fast-fashions-detrimental-effect-on-the-environment/

[junfoong]

🧠 WEEK 6: hashtag me 😌💅— (feat. Reposting Isn’t Enough But It’s Something)

Eughh, so apparently posting an infographic on your story isn’t as interesting & ✨aware ✨ as I thought since it could be also represent a type of citizenship. Yay. Welcome to the life of digital whereas scrolling is political and platform acts like basically the new governments… (Well, they are technically owned & controlled by tech bros instead of elected representatives.) 

  “Digital citizenship refers the capacity to engage in online society in a more responsible and critical manner.” - Council of Europe (2022) 

In other words, it’s not just doomscrolling, trolling or whatever this is — but actually more engaging, thinking and being chronically online… 

It’s giving ✨moral responsibility✨ with a WiFi connection. okay gurl slay but go ahead i guess???

Well, being online means going beyond merely existing in a digital realm: it involves interaction. However, the catch is that the internet lacks neutrality since social medias like TikTok & Instagram  effectively determined on who was heard and who fades into algorithmic obscurity. According to Poell Nieborg and van Dijon (2019) noted — we have transitioned from merely being active on social platforms to having our lives influenced by platformisation. It’s so common as we all acknowledge that whether the algorithm thinks if you’re cute today only depending on how  powerful as the engagement gets. (Well, it knows you are cute in every single second 🥹) 

Hashtags = politics now 📑

Pretty sure that we all did came across people mentioning that #blacklivesmatter, #justiceforkimgaram #idolmistreatment and thought of if it helps or make any difference. Well , if you did post any hashtags that is so called trending , this is what Bruns & Burgess (2015) called the hashtag publics — fleeting communities formed around feelings, urgency, and disorder. Zappavigna (2011) refers to it as ambient affiliation, a term that appears poetic until you understand it signifies forming trauma connections with unfamiliar individuals through popular discussions. 

Let’s be honest, much of our activism today is quite literally online. Theocharis et al. (2023) stated that contemporary political engagement encompasses commenting, resharing, and even following a political account. That passive-aggressive retweet of a politician? Civic participation, classic. 😌💅

However, not everyone receives the same opportunity. Algorithmic bias, censorship and gaps in digital literacy — all factors that result in certain individuals going viral whole others are muted into obscurity. So, yes, you are a digital citizen now but not everyone has the same access and the atmosphere is regulated.  

I guess logging on is no longer solely for amusement.

It’s digital politics. It’s platform drama. 

It’s hashtag citizenships —— whether you appreciate it or not. 

References : 

Home. (n.d.). Digital Citizenship Education (DCE). https://www.coe.int/en/web/digital-citizenship-education/home

‌Yilmaz, I., Akbarzadeh, S., Abbasov, N., & Bashirov, G. (2024). The Double-Edged Sword: Political Engagement on Social Media and Its Impact on Democracy Support in Authoritarian Regimes. Political Research Quarterly, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10659129241305035

Chia, A., Keogh, B., Leorke, D., & Nicoll, B. (2020). Platformisation in game development. Internet Policy Review, 9(4). https://policyreview.info/articles/analysis/platformisation-game-development

Bruns, A., & Burgess, J. (2015). Twitter Hashtags from Ad Hoc to Calculated Publics 1. https://snurb.info/files/2015/Twitter%20Hashtags%20from%20Ad%20Hoc%20to%20Calculated%20Publics.pdf

[junfoong]

🧠 WEEK 5: keeping up with the Public Sphere?

ok let's be real or "reality TV real"

Despite it being labelled as trashy or superficial, reality TV still continues to dominate the ratings...

Keeping Up with the Kardashians (KUWTK) is one of its most iconic examples. But beyond the fake lashes as well as the drama edits, reality TV actually plays a major role of in shaping the public discourse, digital communities and even identity politics. Let me further explains on how reality TV functions not just entertainment but as a creator of digital communities & parasocial intimacy...

📺 So what is reality TV, really?

Reality TV is less about “reality” and more about emotional spectacle. Scholars define it as a genre where “ordinary people engage in unscripted action” (Nabi, 2007) — though let’s be honest, how unscripted is The Bachelor when there's a helicopter date every episode? 🤔

Despite being dismissed as shallow entertainment, reality shows like Keeping Up with the Kardashians (KUWTK) plays a significant role in shaping digital publics, performing identity, and turning private life into consumable content — all while influencing how audiences talk about gender, fame, and authenticity.

On the surface, Keeping Up with the Kardashians (KUWTK) is just a show about rich people doing rich things. But underneath the glam filters and dramatic edits is a very calculated kind of hypervisibility — where the emotions are over the top but weirdly feel “relatable.” Kavka (2019) argues reality TV offers the thrill of unpredictability wrapped in the comfort of constructed drama. Watching Kim lose her earring in Bora Bora? Iconic 💅 Also, completely ridiculous. And we ate it up!

Graham and Hajru (2011) argues that shows like MAFS and Wife Swap create hashtag publics — an online spaces whereas everyday people engage in a political talk through the lens of entertainment. Although KUWTK rarely addresses politics directly, fans regularly discuss serious issues on platforms like Instagram and Reddit: cultural appropriation, unattainable beauty standards, and the commercialization of personal trauma. These interactions form what Sakariassen (2020) calls micro-publics, where the personal becomes political.

According to the Arcy (2018), it refers to the way of reality stars are encouraged to “bare with the most intimate details” of their lives through online as a “digital money shot” — a moment of vulnerability that fuels parts of the drama as well as boosts engagement. Kim’s breakdowns, Khloé’s heartbreak, and Kourtney’s apathy aren’t just simply plot-lines — they’re monetized, serialized emotions. Audiences get invested, not just because it’s entertaining, but because it feels real.

This relates to parasocial relationships — one-sided emotional bonds with celebrities — as originally defined by Horton and Wohl (1956). KUWTK serves as an ideal example of how viewers believe they have a personal connection with the Kardashians, despite the fact that their content is meticulously crafted. Abidin (2018) refers to this as measured amateurism — the equilibrium of being relatable and sustaining celebrity status! This is also a common method used in the Kpop industry.

The lecture also highlighted how fandoms form passion-centric communities. According to the information provided by Porter (2015), these spaces become identity markers, with fans using in-group language like “Bible,” “momager,” and “giving glam” to demonstrate their affiliation. Keep in mind that the fandom is always secure as online trolling and celebrity harassment often get downplayed as “just drama,” despite the serious repercussions involved.

Even if the KUWTK might be filmed as a guilty pleasure, it truly uncovers much about on who we are, how we connect, and how reality TV blurs the line between entertainment, self perception and spectacle.

References:

Arcy, J. (2018). The digital money shot: Twitter wars, The Real Housewives, and transmedia storytelling. Celebrity Studies, 9(4), 487–502. https://doi.org/10.1080/19392397.2018.1508951

Graham, T., & Hajru, A. (2011). Reality TV as a trigger of everyday political talk in the net-based public sphere. European Journal of Communication, 26(1), 18–32. https://doi.org/10.1177/0267323110394858

Bruns, A. (n.d.). Digital Public Spheres in Australia Introduction: Many Publics in “the” Public Sphere. https://snurb.info/files/2019/Digital%20Public%20Spheres%20in%20Australia.pdf

Horton, D., & Wohl, R. (1956). Mass Communication and Para-Social Interaction: Observations on Intimacy at a Distance. Psychiatry, 19(3), 215–229. https://doi.org/10.1080/00332747.1956.11023049

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