Blogging For Uni

Weekly Discussion about weekly topics 

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Number 8// Gaming communities

So you’re a gamer girl? 

Gaming communities have become increasingly popular over the past few years especially as the tech world has developed into a mega giant. 

Gaming platforms such as Twitch, Discord and even Youtube allow people to come together as communities, game and have fun together. The gaming network is one of the largest communities of people in the world. Gaming doesn't discriminate against anyone and you can be who ever you want to be. 

The good is gaming is endless, the sense of community the ability to keep kids of the streets and away from danger, the ferce competition is amazing within these communities however it isn't always good that comes from these Billion Dollar companies and gaming fanatics.

In an article published by GamingBolt it is stated 15 different reasons for concern with the ever growing Fortnite. 

Concerns with these mega giant gaming platforms can arise between the gaming communities especially when they grow so drastically. Some servers and games dint have enough space for all these gamers at once therefore not having enough resources to run a game. 

The addiction can be life changing at a young age, the topic was debated on shows like Good Morning America – one parent spoke of their child becoming more aggressive and socializing less as they played more. The adverse effects of gaming can have the ability to do damage to little brains.. 

References

Sinha, R 2018 15 biggest Fortnite controversies that shocked players (maybe) Gaming Bolt 27th Sept accessed 10 Jan 2019 https://gamingbolt.com/15-biggest-fortnite-controversies-that-shocked-players-maybe 

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Number 7 // Instagram filters are my drug

Do I look FAT in this? No, really be honest 

In everyday speech, we filter our photos and filter our news. In today’s algorithmic culture the filter has become a pervasive metaphor for the ways in which technology can remove certain content and how it can alter or distort texts, images and data. Filters can be technological, cultural or cognitive, or they can be a combination of these (Rettberg, 2014). 

Our ability to filter things have become so comen do we even know whats real anymore? Filters started back in 2014 when snapchat released filters that would change face features and ass funny memes to your face, these days filters can change your eye colour and shape your face in ways you never would have thought of (Coy-Dibley, 2016). Our reality of an online presense has changed from posting funny photos to flaunting our best selves in every way possible with the help of instagram filters. 

Filters can damage our self worths and make us question what we really look like. Tik Tok challenges can be taken out of perspective and turn harmful when people decide to “turn off the filter” people comment thing such as “shouldve left the filter on” and “You looked better before you turned it off”. Comments such as these can effect peoples mental healths and self worths. 

We should question weather there should be an age limit for filters, what age should we use these damaging tools if at all... 

References

Rettberg J.W. (2014) 'Filtered Reality'.  Download 'Filtered Reality'.In: Seeing Ourselves Through Technology: How We Use Selfies, Blogs and Wearable Devices to See and Shape Ourselves.

Coy-Dibley, I. (July, 2016). “Digitised Dysmorphia” of the Female Body: The Re/Disfigurement of the Image  Download “Digitised Dysmorphia” of the Female Body: The Re/Disfigurement of the Image. Palgrave Communications. 2:16040 doi: 10.1057/palcomms.2016.40

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Number 6// Health education or body modifications on instagram?

Instagrams perfect body is a mix between thick hips and the smallest waste possible, nailing those poses and getting the right lighting.. We are all guilty of it, I certainly am. 

Instagram filters alter our reality and perception of people we see online. We can walk down the street and se people who portray themselves online as this amazing skinny girl boss but in reality without the world of filters are completely different to what we see. In the weeks readings I found an article by Drenten that exposes the way women portray themselves on social media to be some sort of sexual fantasy to their viewers. 

Posing with barley any clothes on for their followers. The article discussed how this may effect the mental health of those online and how these girls are portraying such a image that younger girls especially look up to. An emphasis on ‘looking good and sounding right’ has become a battle many girls have to face in todays day in age.

The ease of being able to alter who you are is as easy as downloading an app on your phone, these apps have no age limits or restrictions. It is as easy as opening up instagram or snapchat and putting a filter on to make yourself look slim and beautiful.

Discussed in another reading (Lane, 2016) David leans into the research behind body modification and changes women will exceed to have the perfect body. He discusses want for change and most roots coming form how we see the online world and its presents to make us want to change who we are. 

I myself have changed the way I look, I will admit to having my lips done and I loved them for as long as they lasted. I got them because I wanted these big and beautiful lips I have seen on Instagram and Tik Tok. I wanted to fit into this idea of a perfect body type. I myself now consider getting more filler, perhaps some chin or jaw line filler to fill my face out more, because this is what i’m feed online. 

References

David C. Lane, 'Understanding body modification: A process-based framework' Sociology Compass Volume10, Issue9 September 2016 https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.swin.edu.au/10.1111/soc4.12495

Drenten et al ‘Sexualized labour in digital culture: Instagram influencers, porn chic and the monetization of attention’  (article from Canvas)

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Number 5 // Digital Citizenship and Conflict

So you’re a gaslighter? 

Open up Facebook.. Go on, i’ll wait.. In the search bar type in your favourite celebrity, press on the first post you see and open the comments. Is anything positive? Happy? Body positive? No? Maybe a few comments but not as many as there are bad are there?

The term Gaslight relates to a specific type of manipulation where the manipulator is trying to get someone else (or a group of people) to question their own reality, memory or perceptions (NBC 2022). The world is a jealous place, full of people who shouldn’t have an opinion. But thats just my opinion right? We as a digital community use our power of hiding behind a screen to commonly to get away with anything we want. 

We feel the need to nit pick at every thing an influencer or celebrity does to make ourselves feel better. Our online community can be so harsh on people for being themselves and putting themselves out there. 

Conflict online creates conflict in the real world these conflicts are spread and is covered by mainstream journalists (E. Marwick, 2018). Things such as the Kardashians and MAFS contestants fall victim to constant gaslighting that can get quite political and hurt people hard. 

# ME TOO movement victims where gaslit and told nobody would believe them on their comments on their social medias, articles constantly where posted about who to believe and why we shouldnt support victims. Even times when the Black Lives matter movement became so large white people would joke about the situation online and put there hands up for the black haired dogs instead of the POC. 

References

NBC 2022, What is gaslighting?, viewed 9 May, 2022, <https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/what-gaslighting-how-do-you-know-if-it-s-happening-ncna890866#:~:text=Psychologists%20use%20the%20term%20%E2%80%9Cgaslighting,serious%20problem%2C%20according%20to%20psychologists.>.

Alice E. Marwick & Robyn Caplan, 'Drinking male tears: language, the manosphere, and networked harassment'  Feminist Media Studies Volume 18, 2018 - Issue 4: Pages 543-559

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Number 4 // Social media influencers and the slow fashion movement

There is no doubt the kings and queens of our world today, the people we admire most are influencers. Where you’re into dancing, sining, fashion, cars, camping or gaming a social media following defines who you are these days. Why do we feed into it? These influencers fuel our dreams and aspirations, they are who we want to be. We watch their videos, we see and like and share their posts. 

So? What is the slow fashion movement and what do influencers have to do with this idea?

The slow fashion movement promotes the recycling of clothing, the idea of moving forward to a cleaner future in fashion, reusing old garments to make new ones and thrifting to save clothes from entering landfill.

There seems to be a theme of sustainable fashion moving forward, sustainable consumption, exploring further the attitudinal and behavioural antecedents for secondhand luxury and vintage fashion; a sector which has experienced the most growth in secondhand clothing sales, and one which comprises of an evolving retail format which lends itself to the growing consumer popularity of purchasing and experien-cing pre-loved and pre-worn garments (palgrave, 2017). The ever growing thrifting trend has sky rocketed in past years with influencers promoting the slow fashion movement by vlogging their thrifting experience and showing of hauls of ‘What I got Thrifting Today’. 

Movements such as the Big Sister Swap have also become a hot topic, the movement works by preventing clothes going to landfill. “We believe no clothes, shoes, or accessories should be chucked in the bin. We're on a mission to show you how to revamp your clothes and swap clothes you no longer wear (Sister Swap 2022)”. 

Recently we saw Billie Eilish at the Met Gala ware a dress completely made out of recycled Gucci clothing. Billie and Gucci put the outfit together after her long time stand with the fashion industry and previous interviews stating she only shops from thrift stores. Her interview at the Met Gala with big time fashion vlogger Emma Chamberlain who also loves to thrift was an eye opener for larger fashion houses to start and create a change in the slow fashion movement. 

References 

Claudia E. Henninger, Daniella Ryding, Panayiota J. Alevizou and Helen Goworek, ‘Introduction’ Sustainability in Fashion A Cradle to Upcycle Approach, edited by Henninger, C.E., Alevizou, P., Goworek, H., Ryding, D. (Palgrave: 2017)

Sister Swap, B 2022, About us, viewed 16 May, 2022, <https://bigsisterswap.co.uk/pages/about-us>.

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Number 3 // What is Digital Citizenship? Hashtag Publics, Political Engagement and Activism

What is Digital Citizenship? 

Your digital citizenship is who you portray online.. In the digital world you can be anything you want to be, you can vote, you can make videos, you can be an influencer, you can be someone completely different. A digital citizenship allows everyone who has access to a phone or any other internet activated devise to be involved in something much bigger than the outside world. 

Platforms such as Soundcloud and Band Camp allow people to express themselves differently as to what Spotify or Apple music would allow them too. These new platforms are creating space for new emerging creators to be who they want and pay them for what they are worth not for the time we spend listening to music (Hesmondhalgh, 2019). A digital citizenship on these platforms allows people to create music for people that love their music and support them in the right way.

People can turn to platforms for any form of help.. Political help is a key player when time for elections, trending on twitter are hashtags and topics such as election 2021, VoteGreens, who do I vote for, when is the election. A lot of miss information is spread when looking through social media for answers. In particular how to vote and what ‘will’ happen when you vote for these people. Infographics and photos of election campaigns are blasted everywhere ‘VOTE 1!’ and it can be extremely confusing. 

Campaign mangers use two main platforms for campaigning...  Facebook was used for formal campaigning and for praising and expressing support, while Twitter was utilised for information and for seeking and sharing opinions. Pages created are able to gain followers from digital citizens and therefore gain attention and grow (Nelimarkka, 2020).

References 

David Hesmondhalgh , Ellis Jones and Andreas Rauh ‘SoundCloud and Bandcamp as Alternative Music Platforms’  Download ‘SoundCloud and Bandcamp as Alternative Music Platforms’Social Media + Society October-December 2019: 1–13

Matti Nelimarkka, Salla-Maaria Laaksonen, Mari Tuokko and Tarja Valkonen Platformed Interactions: ‘How Social Media Platforms Relate to Candidate–Constituent Interaction During Finnish 2015 Election Campaigning’, 

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Number 2 // Digital Community and Fandom: Reality TV

Like many others I myself am a huge fan of reality TV and the ramifications that come along with it. I follow groups such as Love Island, MAFS and the block. I love to feed into the drama and get sucked into the discussions around each topic.

A public sphere is a place people can come together and react, so groups with the title such as LOVE ISLAND DRAMA 2021 are great ways to get into peoples heads. People can deal with topics of interests and express their views on the topic. Love Island ‘dictators’ love to use social media and interactive platforms to express howe they want the show to pan out and the way they want people to be perceived. The show take full control over the contestants Instagrams and other social medias even takes away their phones and has free range to post content for them... Voting is even taken place on Instagram through polls that people can interact with and have their say on who stays, goes, who is the hottest and who is the ugliest. 

“Love Island's embracing of social media hints at the vast potential to further the increasingly symbiotic relationship between television and digital media as simultaneous sites of consumption. Love Island's merging of television broadcasting with social media demands an acknowledgment that audiences must be re-configured as occupying dual roles—that of television viewers and social media users” (L'Hoiry, X). 

References 

L'Hoiry, X.  (2019) 'Love Island, social media, and sousveillance : new pathways of challenging realism in reality TV'. Frontiers in Sociology, 4. 59:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2019.00059 

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Number 1 // How does Tumblr Function as a digital community?

Tumblr is a blogging platform for the brave and beautiful. Those who want to express themselves behind a screen or in full flight being upfront in who they are. It has created a sense of community by allowing young people to come together and join blogs on topics they might not otherwise speak on.

Tumblr's major differentiator is the free-form nature of the site (Anon 2022) Tumblr lets people to be free online, any topic is okay to talk about on Tumblr and it creates a safe space for young people to talk and create. With the online platform hosting more than 308.9 million blogs that create a digital community of those that share common interests, Keller (2019, pg. 7) believes that the online platform “could be understood as a platform that prioritises aesthetics, amplified through its allowance of user-customized short-form blogs and reflecting its original positioning as a creative community”. 

To grow a following on Tumblr beyond people you know, you have to post more than updates on your personal life—you need stuff that will resonate with strangers (Reeve 2022). The whole purpose of Tumblr is to create a place people can connect with each other on common interests. 

Tumblr however isn't always a safe space for people to connect, some digital communities can be dangerous and pose a threat to young people who use the internet. Younger people back in the earlier 2000′s used Tumblr to expose others and themselves as it was almost seen as normal... “Tumblr made sex a community experience... As a community we felt free to share and over share” (Ashley 2022). Increasingly over time Tumblr became the norm for posting controversial things and quite literally porn as it had no filter. 

References 

Ashley, V 2022, Tumblr porn eulogy, viewed 17 May, 2022, <https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23268743.2019.1631560>.

Reeve, E 2022, The Secret Lives of Tumblr Teens, viewed 17 May, 2022, <https://newrepublic.com/article/129002/secret-lives-tumblr-teens>.

Jessalynn Keller, “Oh, She’s a Tumblr Feminist”: Exploring the Platform Vernacular of Girls’ Social Media Feminisms  “Oh, She’s a Tumblr Feminist”: Exploring the Platform Vernacular of Girls’ Social Media Feminisms, Social Media + Society Volume: 5 issue: 3, 2019.

Anon 2022, What is Tumblr and how is it used? [2018 Definition] | BigCommerce | BigCommerce, viewed 17 May, 2022, <https://www.bigcommerce.com/ecommerce-answers/what-tumblr-and-how-it-used/>.

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Digital Communities

Hi i’m Flynn Johnstone, and this is my Tumblr Blog for Digital Communities for Uni! Every week I will explore a new topic that dives into the digital communities across various platforms of social media.