Something On My Mind

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The Digital Battleground: Manosphere, Misogyny, and the War Over Gender

There’s a war happening online—not the kind with guns and bombs, but one fought through tweets, forums, and YouTube rants. It’s a war over gender, power, and identity, where different factions of men—incels, men’s rights activists, pick-up artists—see themselves as either victims of feminism or warriors against it.

And honestly? The internet is their perfect battlefield.

The Rise of the Manosphere: A Digital Brotherhood or a Hate Machine?

At first glance, the manosphere—the web of forums, blogs, and influencers dedicated to “men’s issues”—seems like a space for men to support each other. But scratch the surface, and it’s clear that these spaces aren’t just about men—they’re about women. Or more specifically, resentment toward women.

These groups don’t agree on everything, but they share a common enemy: feminism. Whether it’s incels blaming women for their loneliness or men’s rights activists claiming feminism has “emasculated” men, the message is clear—men are victims now.

And thanks to social media algorithms, these ideologies don’t stay in obscure forums. They spread, reaching young, impressionable men who, with just a few clicks, can go from watching fitness advice to consuming full-blown misogynistic propaganda.

From Frustration to Radicalization

Not every man in these spaces is violent, but online radicalization is real. We’ve seen cases like Elliot Rodger and Alek Minassian, who took their misogynistic rage offline—with deadly consequences (Sugiura, 2021)​. But even when it doesn’t lead to violence, this culture is dangerous. It fuels a worldview where women are objects, relationships are power struggles, and masculinity is about domination (Ging, 2017)​.

This isn’t just some internet niche—it’s shaping real-world attitudes. It’s why so many women fear speaking up online, why dating has become a minefield of hyper-masculine “strategies”, and why feminism is constantly forced to defend itself against bad-faith attacks.

Reclaiming Masculinity from the Manosphere

The manosphere exists because mainstream society has failed to offer men meaningful conversations about masculinity (Marwick & Caplan, 2018)​. Young men searching for guidance are far more likely to find a misogynistic influencer pushing “alpha male” courses than they are to find real discussions on mental health, emotional intelligence, or healthy relationships.

If we want to push back against the manosphere’s influence, we need to do more than just ban toxic forums—because banning doesn’t erase the ideology, it just forces it underground (Sugiura, 2021)​. Instead, we need to:

Acknowledge that young men are struggling—not because of feminism, but because of shifting social roles, economic precarity, and outdated expectations of masculinity (Ging, 2017)​.

Stop letting reactionary voices dominate the conversation—if the only people talking about masculinity are misogynists, young men will keep turning to them (Marwick & Caplan, 2018)​.

Promote a version of masculinity that isn’t built on fear and competition—one that allows for vulnerability, self-reflection, and real emotional depth (Sugiura, 2021)​

References

Ging, D. (2019). Alphas, betas, and incels: Theorizing the masculinities of the manosphere. Men and Masculinities, 22(4), 638–657. https://doi.org/10.1177/1097184X17706401

Marwick, A. E., & Caplan, R. (2018). Drinking male tears: language, the manosphere, and networked harassment. Feminist Media Studies, 18(4), 543–559. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2018.1450568

Sugiura, L. (2021). The Incel Rebellion: The Rise of the Manosphere and the Virtual War Against Women. Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/9781839822544

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Breaking the Game: Why We’re Wired to Push the Limits in Sandbox Worlds

There’s a reason we love breaking games instead of just playing them. Sandbox games, by design, offer freedom, but for many players, freedom isn’t enough—we want to push, test, and even destroy. The more open-ended a game is, the more we feel compelled to bend its rules, exploit its systems, and create chaos.

This isn’t just mindless destruction—it’s human nature. And it reveals something deeper about how we think, learn, and resist control in both digital and real-world systems.

The Thrill of Breaking the System

Let’s be honest—some of the most iconic sandbox moments come from breaking the game’s logic. In The Sims, we trap characters in rooms just to watch what happens. In Minecraft, we don’t just build houses—we recreate entire computers inside the game. In simulation sandboxes, players push AI in bizarre directions, like teaching a pet in Black & White that eating its own feces is good (Tornqvist, 2015).

Why? Because we’re wired to explore systems by testing their limits. If a game offers absolute freedom, we instinctively search for boundaries—not to follow them, but to see where they break. It’s the same impulse that makes kids push rules or experiment with how far they can take an idea before it collapses.

Play, Experimentation, and Rebellion

The reason sandbox games work is because they tap into the same instincts that drive scientific discovery and creative problem-solving. In structured environments, we learn passively. In sandboxes, we learn by doing—and more importantly, by breaking. When a game lets us redefine its own logic, it stops being just entertainment and becomes an interactive experiment (Hjorth et al., 2021).

But there’s another layer here—control. In real life, we exist under strict systems: laws, physics, social expectations. In sandbox games, those systems are malleable. We can cheat, experiment, manipulate, and the game world responds. That power—to reshape reality on our own terms—is why we keep coming back (Tornqvist, 2015).

The Real Reason

This is why sandbox games aren’t just about fun—they’re about freedom. The best ones don’t just allow us to explore; they dare us to experiment, to challenge their logic, and to find what’s possible beyond the intended design.

Maybe that’s the real appeal—not just playing, but proving perhaps, that the system is never as rigid as it seems.

References

Hjorth, L., Richardson, I., Davies, H., & Balmford, W. (2020). Exploring Play. Exploring Minecraft, 27–47. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59908-9_2

Tornqvist, D. (2015). Exploratory Play in Simulation Sandbox Games. Gamification, 1751–1770. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-4666-8200-9.ch088

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A Perfected Reflection: How We Became Strangers to Our Own Faces

We live in an age where mirrors aren’t enough. Instead, we turn to filters, editing apps, and AI-powered beauty tools to refine, slim, enhance, and perfect. What started as a simple touch-up has evolved into a digitized dysmorphia—a growing inability to recognize ourselves without digital modifications. But this isn’t just about vanity. It’s about control, cultural expectations, and the blurred line between self-expression and self-erasure.

We’ve reached a point where our real bodies feel like the before image, and our filtered selves are the after. But how did we get here?

A Beauty Standard That No One Can Achieve—Not Even the Influencers

Beauty has always been a moving target, shaped by culture, media, and commerce. But what makes modern beauty standards uniquely harmful is their digital nature. Unlike past ideals—thinness in the ‘90s, curves in the 2010s—today’s standard is not just unattainable, but entirely artificial (Hafeez & Zulfiqar, 2023).

Editing apps don’t just smooth skin and whiten teeth; they reshape facial structures. Instagram and TikTok filters impose homogenized beauty—high cheekbones, fox-like eyes, a tiny nose, plumped lips, and glassy, poreless skin. This is no longer just about social comparison—it’s a technological redesign of what the human face should be.

Even the influencers setting these trends don’t look like their own images. The Kardashians, Instagram models, and beauty YouTubers—many of whom have undergone cosmetic surgery to match their filtered faces—are selling a fantasy that not even they can fully embody.

From Digital Perfection to Physical Modification

What happens when we’re so used to seeing ourselves digitally perfected that our real faces start to feel wrong? Increasingly, people are turning to cosmetic procedures—not for aging, but to match their filtered selves (Hafeez & Zulfiqar, 2023).

Lip fillers, Botox, jawline contouring, buccal fat removal—all procedures designed to make people look like their own edited images.

Surgeons report patients bringing in filtered selfies as references for how they want to look. The goal is no longer to look like a celebrity—it’s to look like a Facetuned version of themselves (Coy-Dibley, 2016).

"Snapchat Dysmorphia"—a term coined by plastic surgeons—describes this growing trend of people wanting to permanently alter their faces to match the perfected, algorithm-approved version (Verrastro et al., 2020).

The irony? Many people spend thousands of dollars chasing a look that filters will always do better, faster, and for free.

Are We Expressing Ourselves—Or Erasing Ourselves?

There’s an argument that beauty tech gives people more control over their image. That filters, makeup, and procedures are tools for self-expression. And that’s partially true. But we have to ask:

Is it still self-expression if everyone is modifying themselves to look the same?

If we’re only confident after “fixing” our faces, are we truly empowered—or just digitally dependent?

At what point does “enhancing” our appearance become rejecting it altogether?

We’ve been sold the idea that technology lets us “enhance” our natural beauty, but in reality, it’s replacing it. The more we rely on digital modifications, the more our unfiltered faces feel like mistakes waiting to be corrected (Hafeez & Zulfiqar, 2023).

So, What Can We Do?

The first step begins we recognizing the forces shaping our perception of beauty and learning to push them back:

Interrogate beauty trends—ask why certain looks are considered ideal and who benefits from them.

Reduce exposure to digitally altered content—unfollow accounts that make you feel inadequate.

Normalize unfiltered faces—share images of yourself without edits and celebrate real beauty in others.

Stop comparing your real face to your filtered one—they are not the same thing, and they never will be.

The goal isn’t to ban filters or shame people for using beauty tech. It’s about reclaiming our right to look like ourselves—flaws, pores, and all. Because the scariest future isn’t one where we all look the same.

It’s one where we don’t even recognize who we used to be.

References

Coy-Dibley, I. (2016). “Digitized Dysmorphia” of the female body: the re/disfigurement of the image. Palgrave Communications, 2(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1057/palcomms.2016.40

Hafeez, E., & Zulfiqar, F. (2023). How False Social Media Beauty Standards Lead To Body Dysmorphia. Pakistan Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 11(3), 3408–3425. https://doi.org/10.52131/pjhss.2023.1103.0623

Verrastro, V., Fontanesi, L., Liga, F., Cuzzocrea, F., & Gugliandolo, M. C. (2020). Fear the Instagram: beauty stereotypes, body image and Instagram use in a sample of male and female adolescents. Qwerty. Open and Interdisciplinary Journal of Technology, Culture and Education, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.30557/qw000021

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Porn Chic: Empowerment or a New Form of Oppression?

In today’s digital culture, Porn Chic—the infiltration of pornography-inspired aesthetics into mainstream culture—has become not only accepted but idealized (Magalhães et al., 2012).  It’s in the perfectly sculpted Instagram bodies, the hypersexualized music videos, the fashion trends that blur the line between lingerie and everyday wear. 

I get why some women may see this as empowerment. For decades, female sexuality was policed, controlled, and censored (Kaser, 2021). Women were told to cover up, be modest, and exist for male pleasure but never acknowledge their own desires. Now, women are reclaiming their bodies, making money from their own image, and defining their own sexual identities. That, in theory, should be progress, right?

But here’s the thing that bothers me: what happens when the system still dictates what "empowerment" looks like?

If the only way to be visible, desirable, and financially successful online is by adopting porn chic aesthetics, then is this really about choice—or just a new version of the same old expectations?

The Unspoken Pressure to Be "Fuckable"

Let’s not pretend women are just choosing to dress or present themselves this way for fun. There’s a hidden force pushing them toward hypersexualization, and that force is money, visibility, and cultural relevance (Magalhães et al., 2012). Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs), breast augmentations, lip fillers, and exaggerated hourglass silhouettes—these aren’t just trends; they’re symptoms of a culture that has normalized a pornified female body as the ideal:

On social media, sex sells.

Algorithms prioritize engagement, and suggestive content gets more views, likes, and followers.

Brands look for influencers who are "sexy but approachable"—attractive enough to hold attention, but still marketable.

Even regular women feel the pressure—how many times have you seen someone post a slightly sexier-than-usual selfie and immediately get more engagement than ever before?

The reality is that porn chic is rewarded, and any woman who opts out of it risks being ignored. So, is this really empowerment if it’s also the most profitable route? If the system still expects women to prioritize their desirability above all else, just with new packaging?

The "Choice" That Isn't Really a Choice

I’m not saying women who engage in porn chic aesthetics are being forced into it. I believe many feel good, confident, and powerful dressing that way, and they absolutely should. But I also think it’s naïve to ignore how much cultural conditioning and financial incentives shape these choices.

Ask yourself:

If sex appeal wasn’t the easiest way to gain success, would as many women lean into it?

If Instagram didn’t push suggestive content to the top, would the aesthetic still be as dominant?

If influencers who didn’t conform to porn chic standards had the same opportunities, would we see more variety in what’s considered “empowering”?

We keep saying "women are choosing this." But how much of that choice is truly free—and how much of it is a response to a system that punishes women for choosing anything else?

The Double Bind: Damned If You Do, Invisible If You Don’t

The infuriating reality here is the double standard women face with porn chic. If they embrace it, they’re hypervisible, profitable—but also subjected to endless harassment, judgment, and criticism. If they reject it, they maintain their dignity—but they also risk losing opportunities, attention, and relevance.

There’s no winning. Either you play the game and deal with its consequences, or you refuse to play and get pushed to the sidelines.

That’s not freedom. That’s a rigged system in disguise.

Real empowerment isn’t just about owning your sexuality—it’s about having multiple paths to success, not just one hypersexualized one. Right now, porn chic isn’t an option—it’s an expectation, and until we dismantle that, we can’t pretend this is all about choice.

References

Kaser, K. (2021). Femininities and Masculinities in the Digital Age: Realia and Utopia in the Balkans and South Caucasus. Springer.

Magalhães , M., Rodríguez Castro , Y., Lopes Coelho, S., & Deidré, M. (2012). Love, fear and power/ shame, blame and silence: professionals’ discourses about victimes and perpetrators of gender violence in Portugal. 1.

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Why We Really Buy Ethical: The Tug-of-War Between Values, Emotions, and Real-World Barriers

A few months ago, I stumbled upon an article titled "Beneath the Seams: The Human Toll of Fast Fashion". It detailed the horrific working conditions of garment workers—primarily women—who earn barely enough to survive while laboring in dangerous factories (Helm, 2024). The stories of exhaustion, poverty, and human rights abuses stuck with me. I felt guilty. I told myself: No more fast fashion. Only ethical brands from now on.

Then, last weekend, I walked past a store and spotted a gorgeous blazer—on sale, trendy, perfect. I hesitated, remembering that article. But the price? Unbeatable. And the ethical alternative? Three times as expensive and only available online. The guilt lingered, but I bought the blazer anyway.

I know I’m not alone in this. We want to shop sustainably, but when ethics clash with convenience and marketing psychology, it’s not always our values making the decision—it’s our emotions.

Values vs. Emotions: Who’s Really in Control?

We like to think our moral compass dictates our actions, but research shows that emotions often have the final say. Values are stable; they shape how we see the world. But emotions are powerful; they push us to act (Geiger & Keller, 2018).

When confronted with the harsh realities of the fashion industry, we feel compassion, prompting us toward ethical purchases. Recognizing our role in supporting exploitative practices evokes guilt, leading us to reconsider where we spend our money. Meanwhile, discovering a limited-time discount triggers FOMO (fear of missing out) (Bok, S., Shum, J., & Lee, M., 2025), overriding all logic and sending us straight to checkout.

These emotional conflicts explain why even well-intentioned consumers struggle to shop ethically. But beyond emotions, two real-world barriers make sustainable fashion even harder to commit to.

Barrier #1: Convenience vs. Ethics—The Daily Struggle

Let’s be honest—shopping sustainably is often a hassle. Ethical brands are less accessible, more expensive, and slower to deliver than fast fashion retailers, which thrive on instant gratification.

A fast fashion brand gives you hundreds of styles, in every mall, with next-day shipping.

A sustainable brand? Fewer options, higher prices, and a week-long wait.

Even when we value sustainability, our emotions push us toward what’s easier and cheaper—especially when we’re tired, rushed, or on a budget.

🚀 How ethical brands can fix this: Instead of just educating consumers, they need to remove the friction—offering better price accessibility, more retail locations, and faster shipping. Making ethical choices seamless is key to making them stick.

Barrier #2: The Psychology of Scarcity & FOMO

Fast fashion is engineered to manipulate urgency—flash sales, countdown timers, and “only a few left in stock” warnings exploit our fear of missing out. Even if we know better, the emotional pull is powerful:

🛍️ “If I don’t buy this now, it’ll be gone forever”

Ethical fashion, on the other hand, promotes slow consumption—encouraging mindful purchases and long-term wear. But that messaging lacks the same psychological urgency, which is why people keep returning to fast fashion despite knowing the harm it causes.

🔥 How ethical brands can fix this: Instead of just saying, “Buy less,” sustainable brands can create hype around conscious fashion—offering limited-edition ethical collections, pre-orders, and exclusivity that taps into the same excitement as fast fashion without the overconsumption trap.

What This Means for Ethical Fashion

Yes, values and emotions drive our shopping habits, but they don’t exist in a vacuum. Convenience and FOMO are powerful forces that often override ethical intentions. If sustainable brands want to compete, they need to work with human psychology, not against it—making ethical shopping more accessible, rewarding, and emotionally engaging.

And as consumers? We need to be more aware of the psychological tricks manipulating us into overconsumption. Next time we feel the rush of a limited-time sale or reach for the most convenient option, we should pause and ask:

👉 Do I actually need this, or am I being played? 👉 Is convenience worth compromising my values?

At the end of the day, ethical shopping isn’t just about what we believe—it’s about what we feel, what we have access to, and how we can challenge the systems designed to make us buy more than we ever needed.

So next time I’m standing in front of that clothing rack, blazer in hand, I’ll try to pause. Not just to ask, “Is this sustainable?” but also, “Why am I buying this? And what emotions are pushing me toward it?”

What about you? Have convenience and FOMO ever made you compromise your values? Let’s talk. 💬💚

References

Bok, S., Shum, J., & Lee, M. (2025). The fear of missing out influence on excitement-seeking and the thrill of a sale. Cogent Business & Management, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2025.2451125

Geiger, S. M., & Keller, J. (2017). Shopping for Clothes and Sensitivity to the Suffering of Others: The Role of Compassion and Values in Sustainable Fashion Consumption. Environment and Behavior, 50(10), 1119–1144. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916517732109

Saisi, B., & Srivastava, V. (2023, April 13). Fast Fashion: Why garment workers’ lives are still in danger 10 years after Rana Plaza — Podcast. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/fast-fashion-why-garment-workers-lives-are-still-in-danger-10-years-after-rana-plaza-podcast-203122

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Week 5: Digital Citizenship

So, the internet. We’re all on it, we all contribute to it, and yet, sometimes, it feels like it’s running us instead of the other way around. Being a digital citizen means more than just existing online. It’s about engaging thoughtfully, challenging misinformation, and using social media as a tool for empowerment rather than letting it manipulate us. Digital activism, intersectionality, and algorithmic power all shape our online experiences, and it’s time we take a closer look at how they work together.

What is digital citizenship?

At its core, digital citizenship is about how we act online and the impact of those actions. It involves:

Thinking critically (spotting fake news, questioning sources, avoiding echo chambers).

Engaging ethically (not spreading harmful content, calling out injustice, contributing positively).

Demanding better from platforms (understanding how they operate and holding them accountable).

But here’s the kicker: the platforms we use aren’t neutral. They’re designed to keep us engaged, and that means what we see is carefully curated by algorithms. As Van Dijck et al. (2018) explain, platforms use mechanisms like datafication, commodification, and selection to shape our digital experiences. That means marginalized voices often get pushed aside, while the loudest, most controversial content gets amplified. This isn’t accidental—it’s how the system is built.

The Power (and Pitfalls) of Hashtag Publics

Social media has transformed activism. Hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, and #FreePalestine aren’t just trending topics—they’re organizing tools that bring people together across borders and cultures. Hashtag publics create digital spaces where issues that mainstream media ignores can gain traction (Dobrin, 2020). But just because hashtags can spark change doesn’t mean they’re always safe from manipulation.

Misinformation thrives in viral spaces. The same tools that help movements grow also allow conspiracy theories and disinformation campaigns to spread rapidly.

Censorship and content moderation disproportionately silence marginalized voices. The Tumblr NSFW ban in 2018 wiped out entire LGBTQ+ communities overnight, showing how platform policies can erase important conversations.

Algorithmic bias affects visibility. Social media platforms are designed to boost certain narratives while suppressing others, reinforcing existing inequalities (Fazelpour & Danks, 2021)

So, what do we do? Understanding that platforms aren’t neutral is step one. Step two is actively questioning what we consume, supporting independent media, and amplifying voices that algorithms suppress.

Intersectionality in the Digital Age

Not everyone experiences the internet the same way. Intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1991) reminds us that our identities—race, gender, economic background—affect how we move through digital spaces. Some examples:

Black Lives Matter highlighted digital activism’s power but also exposed the risks of online surveillance and doxxing for Black activists.

Women and LGBTQ+ users face disproportionate harassment online, making “free speech” debates far more complicated than they seem.

The digital divide is real—not everyone has equal access to the internet or media literacy skills, which means participation isn’t as democratic as we like to think.

If we want the internet to be truly inclusive, we need to push for platform accountability, stronger digital rights, and more equitable online spaces.

Conclusion

Digital citizenship isn’t just about playing it safe online—it’s about actively shaping the internet into a better space. That means questioning power structures, engaging critically, and demanding transparency from the platforms that control so much of what we see. So, the next time you retweet, share, or engage in a digital movement, ask yourself: Are we using social media, or is it using us?

References

Crenshaw, K. (1991). On Intersectionality: Essential Writings. New Press.

Dobrin, D. (2020). The Hashtag in Digital Activism: a Cultural Revolution. Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.20897/jcasc/8298

Fazelpour, S., & Danks, D. (2021). Algorithmic bias: Senses, sources, solutions. Philosophy Compass, 16(8). https://doi.org/10.1111/phc3.12760

Pangrazio, L., & Sefton-Green, J. (2021). Digital Rights, Digital Citizenship and Digital Literacy: What’s the Difference? Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research, 10(1), 15–27. https://doi.org/10.7821/naer.2021.1.616

Van Dijck, J., Poell, T., & De Waal, M. (2018). The platform society : public values in a connective world. Oxford University Press.

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Week 4: Digital Community & Fandom –Single’s Inferno

Reality TV transcends mere entertainment; it shapes cultural dialogues, reinforces societal norms, and fosters digital communities. Single’s Inferno, a South Korean dating reality show, exemplifies this phenomenon by merging traditional romantic ideals with contemporary social media engagement. Viewers engage beyond passive consumption, participating in digital publics that debate gender roles, beauty standards, and the authenticity of online personas.

Single’s Inferno serves as a compelling case study at the intersection of reality TV and digital discourse. Unlike Western dating shows that often emphasize sensationalism, this global sensation of a dating show adopts a more subdued, aesthetically curated approach, reflecting South Korean beauty ideals and reserved courtship rituals. This carefully crafted narrative doesn't exist in a vacuum; audiences dissect and challenge it in real-time via platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and TikTok.

The public sphere theory by Habermas (1962) posits that open discussion fosters social change. In the digital era, this has evolved into multiple digital publics (Kruse et al., 2018). Hashtags such as #SinglesInferno and #SongJia create micro-publics where fans engage in meaningful discussions about gender norms, racial preferences in dating, and media portrayals of desirability.

Social media as a public sphere: The interactive nature of these platforms allows users to challenge and redefine societal norms (Deller, 2019), as seen in the discussions surrounding the show.

=> Audiences utilize social media to critique the show's representation of beauty standards and relationship dynamics, exemplifying the role of social media in contemporary public discourse.

Impact on viewers' perceptions: The influence of Single’s Inferno extends beyond entertainment, affecting viewers' perceptions of love and relationships. A study focusing on Chinese college students revealed that exposure to the show led to shifts in their concepts of love and dating practices (He, 2024). This underscores the show's role in shaping cultural norms and personal beliefs about relationships among young audiences.

Audience sousveillance: The rise of social media has transformed audience engagement with reality TV (Deller, 2019). Viewers are no longer passive consumers; they actively participate in discussions, critique content, and influence narratives through platforms like Twitter and Reddit. This phenomenon, termed "sousveillance" by L’Hoiry (2019) involves audiences monitoring and responding to media content, thereby challenging traditional power dynamics between producers and consumers.

Reality TV’s Influence on digital culture:

Reality TV like Single’s Inferno creates shared cultural moments that bridge local and global media consumption.

Platforms such as TikTok and Reddit serve as arenas for critical discussions on authenticity, desirability, and social stratification.

The emergence of fandom-driven identity politics. Discussions surrounding Single’s Inferno reflect broader societal concerns about gender norms, race, and class in contemporary dating cultures.

Conclusion: Single’s Inferno exemplifies reality TV's capacity to transcend entertainment, acting as a digital forum where audiences negotiate societal norms. The show not only entertains but also prompts viewers to examine ingrained biases about beauty, romance, and desirability.

References

Deller, R. A. (2019). Reality television : the television phenomenon that changed the world. Emerald Publishing.

He, W. (2024). The Impact of South Korean Love Variety Show on the Love Concept of Chinese College Students: A Case Study of “Single’s Inferno.” Interdisciplinary Humanities and Communication Studies, 1(7). https://doi.org/10.61173/hbvn8q34

Jurgen Habermas. (1962). The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere.

Kruse, L. M., Norris, D. R., & Flinchum, J. R. (2018). Social Media as a Public Sphere? Politics on Social Media. The Sociological Quarterly, 59(1), 62–84. https://doi.org/10.1080/00380253.2017.1383143

L’Hoiry, X. (2019). Love Island, Social Media, and Sousveillance: New Pathways of Challenging Realism in Reality TV. Frontiers in Sociology, 4(59), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2019.00059

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Week 3: Digital Community - Case study of Tumblr

Tumblr has long been a sanctuary for marginalized groups. Unlike Facebook and Instagram, which emphasize real-name identities and curated aesthetics, Tumblr thrives on anonymity and raw self-expression.

The platform’s structure fosters niche micro-publics, where users bond over shared experiences rather than social clout. This is particularly evident in the #BodyPositive movement, which flourished on Tumblr before the infamous 2018 NSFW ban altered its landscape.

Research by Reif, Miller & Taddicken (2022) highlights how the #BodyPositive hashtag created a uniquely authentic and supportive environment for self-representation. Unlike Instagram’s influencer-driven version of body positivity, Tumblr allowed users to document their unfiltered realities. This aligns with Kruse et al.’s (2018) definition of a digital public sphere: an online space where people can engage in critical discourse without institutional gatekeeping.

But while Tumblr cultivated digital empowerment, algorithms and corporate interests gradually reshaped the community. As we know, social media algorithms prioritize engagement over well-being, reinforcing echo chambers and distorting reality. Users are often fed content that aligns with their existing beliefs, limiting exposure to diverse perspectives (Cinelli et al., 2021). Consequently, this can foster echo chambers, which lead to distorted digital realities, where digital communities risk becoming insular rather than progressive and accepting of different point of views.

The 2018 NSFW ban marked a turning point. Originally positioned as a move to remove harmful content, it disproportionately impacted LGBTQ+ users, sex workers, and body-positive activists, stripping them of a space where they could express themselves without judgment. According to Kender (2022), Tumblr’s “queer and countercultural” identity was eroded, pushing many users to other platforms like Twitter (which ironically became more toxic for marginalized groups).

So, what does Tumblr’s evolution tell us about digital communities?

First, it underscores the fragility of online safe spaces—especially when they rely on corporate-owned platforms. Second, it highlights the power of hashtags in digital activism, but also the risks of algorithmic control. Lastly, it forces us to ask: can a truly independent public sphere exist online, or will all digital communities eventually be shaped by profit-driven decisions?

Conclusion:

Tumblr’s case study proves that digital communities can be empowering, but their sustainability depends on resisting institutional control and advocating for platforms that prioritize user agency over corporate interests. As digital citizens, we must critically evaluate where and how we engage—because our online spaces shape our realities.

References

Cinelli, M., Morales, G. D. F., Galeazzi, A., Quattrociocchi, W., & Starnini, M. (2021). The Echo Chamber Effect on Social Media. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(9), 1–8. PNAS. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2023301118

Kender, K. (2022). Tumblr is Queer and Twitter is Toxic: Speculating About the Vibe of Social Media Spaces. NordiCHI ’22: Nordic Human-Computer Interaction Conference. https://doi.org/10.1145/3546155.3547279

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