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WEEK 10: TROLL, TROLLING AND GENDER-TROLLING

Recently, in Vietnam, we have witnessed the rise of the trend "Trôn Trôn VN" translated to be "troll troll VN" as a meme and copied from the foreign countries.

As a kind of online harassment, trolling usually entails making offensive comments on blogs and websites in an attempt to target unsuspecting and vulnerable audiences. The abusers will be happy to be unknown and will take pleasure in four things: being aggressive, interfering, lying, and succeeding.

Threats of rape, threatening messages, or just provocative remarks meant to get the reader to react are common examples of trolling techniques.

This conduct is associated with "silencing strategies," which aim to keep users out of online forums or deter them from participating in public discourse in the future by tricking them into thinking that they are just supposed to "stay silent" and not provoke trolls any longer. This strategy makes the internet a less democratic place for everyone because fewer users are willing to speak up.

Gendered trolling is affiliated with the culture of rape when it normalizes victim-blaming or masculine dominance and heteronormative.

In aspects of a wide range of harm caused by aggressive acts undertaken against victims utilizing virtual space, focusing specifically on their gender, cyberstalking, virtual rape, and digital sexual assault.

When someone is the target of trolling, they may suffer from serious psychological disorders or subclinical illnesses, as well as sentimental humiliation if they have experienced great stress, anxiety, or discomfort.

Even people who are not easily intimidated will change their online behaviour by interacting less or becoming anxious in real life if they get threats of rape or death. As a response, IT businesses have implemented a number of techniques to identify and attempt to combat trolling.

REFERENCES:

Lumsden, K. Morgan, H. 2017, 'Media Framing of Trolling and Online Abuse: Silencing Strategies, Symbolic Violence and Victim Blaming', Feminist Media Studies, vol. 17, no. 6, pp. 3-5

Kimble, M. 2016, 'Online Gendered Harassment and Violence Naming the Harm and Punishing the Behavior', Department of Communication Studies at The University of Michigan, pp. 137-138

CSES, 2019, 'Rapid Evidence Assessment: The Prevalence and Impact of Online Trolling', pp. 18-22

Weckler A., 2021, Facebook will let you limit comments on posts to stop trolls, Independent.ie, viewed 5 April 2022, <https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/facebook-will-let-youlimitcomments-on-posts-tostop-trolls-40260408.html>

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WEEK 9: ONLINE GAMES COMMUNITIES AND SOCIAL VALUES

Online gaming has attracted billion of active users worldwide, and it has been demonstrated that it can be used to virtually interact, form friendships, and acquire online social capital.

The gaming community is not bound by the traditional social norms of interaction common in public places such as schools, pubs, and clubs. In internet gaming communities, we will not have to behave a certain way or adhere to certain formalized norms in the manner we might otherwise.

Consequently, we have far more autonomy and less anxiety in our community’s relations. Friendships could indeed form and grow in an unpressured environment.

In 2017, a study found that playing video games was associated with a stronger sense of social identity, or even how users define themselves within their networks of affiliation.

Increased social competence, improved self-esteem, and decreased psychological suffering were all linked to this social identity.

Two researchers looked at more than 5,800 letters sent in 2006 depicting participants having fun in an online multiplayer game to see if the texts were task-oriented or socio-emotional.

The number of socio-emotional communications exceeded 3.2 times that of task-oriented messages. Moreover, there were more than 2.6 times as many positive as negative emotional messages.

The picture shows 2 different types of cats playing games together, showing no bond to the game communities.

Previous research on digital gaming, as well as the results of more recent studies, suggest that the positive effects of gaming on social capital and real-world social support online are likely to increase the number of people interacting in both online and offline environments, particularly in their sense of community.

Therefore, interactions between players outside of the game may make gaming in general and e-sports in particular an excellent social resource.

References: 

Fishman, A. (2012). Video Games Are Social Spaces: How Video Games Help People Connect | ResponseCenter. Jcfs.org. https://www.jcfs.org/response/blog/video-games-are-social-spaces-how-video-games-help-people-connect

Quandt, T., & Kröger, S. (2013). Multiplayer. Routledge.

Gossett, S. (2020, March 20). The Very Real Social Benefits of Online Gaming. Built In. https://builtin.com/media-gaming/online-gaming-social-benefits

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WEEK 8: BODY DYSMORPHIA & PLASTIC SURGERY. HOW ARE THEY RELEVANT TO THE INSTAGRAM FILTERS!

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) can be a dangerous pitfall for those considering plastic surgery. People with BDD have a distorted view of their appearance, fixating on minor flaws that others might not even notice. While they may believe surgery will solve their problems, research shows it often leads to greater dissatisfaction and a chasing of unrealistic ideals. A responsible plastic surgeon will screen for BDD to ensure patients are motivated by self-improvement, not a mental health condition.

Plastic surgeons have observed an unsettling rise in the number of patients who want to alter their appearance to resemble the filtered and digitally altered photos they see on social media. -

Strange obsessions with digitally enhanced perfection and relatively inexpensive digital tools for self-image manipulation appear to be contributing another level to some cases of body dysmorphic disorder.

A mental health condition in which a person is preoccupied with thinking about perceived or imagined imperfections in their own body. Numerous aspects of life are disrupted by this fixation, including social relationships, the workplace, education, and homes.

The rise in case scenarios of what some scholars refer to as Snapchat dysmorphia can have a detrimental effect on an individual's self-esteem.

These psyches and body image problems, if extreme enough, can progress to body dysmorphic disorder.

More extensive research has revealed a clear link between social media use and negative emotions. The more time users spend on social media platforms, the more isolated and lonely they start to feel.

In conclusion, knowing how filters and social media can impact the way we think of the “beauty” notion can help us acknowledge the imperfections within ourselves, embrace them, and stay confident and empathetic for our flaws. 

I wanna end this with one Taylor Swift song. Here you go:

REFERENCES:

Digital Distortion: How Filters are Changing the Way Girls See Themselves. (n.d.). Boys & Girls Clubs of America. https://www.bgca.org/news-stories/2021/September/digital-distortion-how-filters-are-changing-the-way-girls-see-themselves/

Hunt, E. (2019, January 23). Faking it: How Selfie Dysmorphia Is Driving People to Seek Surgery. The Guardian; The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jan/23/faking-it-how-selfie-dysmorphia-is-driving-people-to-seek-surgery

Purtill, J. (2020, March 13). “Snapchat dysmorphia”: Selfie filters may be driving young people to plastic surgery, study shows. Triple J. https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/snapchat-dysmorphia-from-selfie-filters-driving-cosmetic-surgery/12051184

admin. (2019, April 23). Body Dysmorphia, Social Media & Image Filters | Toledo Center. Toledo Center | Eating Disorders Treatment Center. https://toledocenter.com/resources/body-dysmorphia-social-media-image-filters/

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WEEK 7: SOCIAL MEDIA AND AESTHETIC LABOR

Social media has become a breeding ground for aesthetic labour, where users manage their online personas to be aesthetically pleasing and garner social capital. This goes beyond just posting flattering photos; it involves curating a feed that reflects a certain lifestyle, using specific filters and editing tools, and even crafting captions that contribute to a desired image. This constant effort to maintain an attractive online presence can be emotionally taxing and relies on conforming to often unrealistic beauty standards.

Humans are not always logical and reasonable, but we usually make decisions based on normative beliefs and the rewards associated with them. Because they believe it will lead to a better life and success.

Because of their fame and popularity, celebrities and influencers continue to set a lot of trends and have more "modeling potential" among interested viewers. Artistic initiatives began to emerge after that.

Aesthetic labor is a type of sexualized labor in which one's emotional or creative values are supplanted by accessories, surface-level beauty, or outward appearances. On the other hand, there is a strong association between emotional expression and overtly sexualized behaviors or acting displays.

These pictures, together with the brand's endorsement, have contributed to the legitimization of hegemonic masculinity and heteronormative concepts. In an attempt to disrupt their routine, they have also gotten to know viewers on the internet. This occurs on photo-focused apps such as Instagram, TikTok, and others.

When presenting TikTok trends or just trends (stunt dancing, movements, transition,....) the negative outcomes appear to be more significant.

This portrayal may result in unrealistic expectations of body ideals and sexist stereotypes of both sexes.

Any visual that deviates from the norm is met with criticism and body-shaming comments. TikTok's current reality worsens psychological and mental health, which eventually leads to self-physical harm and toxic ideologies.

References: 

Aimé Doiron. (2020). Body image : psychological predictors, social influences and gender differences. Nova Science Publishers.

Greenwood, D. (2021, August 16). The BBL Bubble: How Social Media Fuels Body Modification | Psychology Today. Www.psychologytoday.com. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mirror-mirror/202108/the-bbl-bubble-how-social-media-fuels-body-modification

SousaM. J., & MarquesC. G. (2022). Innovations and social media analytics in a digital society. CRC Press.

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WEEK 6: Slow Fashion should send the thank you to the media coverage!!!!

Fast fashion is a term that refers to a mass-produced fashion piece that regularly imitates also high-end chic designs, as well as a specific production and revenue model.

Americans, on average, purchase a new item of clothing every other 5 days.

Clothing is now considered essentially disposable because costs are so low. As shown in a McKinsey study, 3 outfits are discarded for every 5 new productions each year.

Surprisingly, research has revealed that 90% of our garments are dismissed before it is necessary.

The clothing sector is dominated by multinational corporate entities that function on the precepts of “fast fashion”.

They accommodate the strong desire for the latest and most up-to-date by launching new collections at an ever-increasing rate. Their pricing policies allow consumers to order new clothes more frequently than is essential.

Slow fashion is an abbreviation for sustainable and self-aware fashion. The phrase refers to a shift toward increased responsibilities and respect for society and the environment, and also a shift in the consciousness of product lines, their roots, and our very own consumption patterns. Slow fashion is rapidly gaining traction as a counter-model to fast fashion. It encourages companies and consumers to take more responsibility and respect for humanity, the environment, and commodities.

What exactly is the slow fashion trend? Slow fashion, as the name implies, seeks to slow the pace at which businesses operate.

Instead of offering an unlimited supply of sub-standard garments, the movement emphasizes influence and shape, formation, and usage that prioritizes reliability, durability, and effect. Clothes are designed and produced with high-quality, lengthy, and sustainable materials; production is restricted to meet demand, and social and environmental effects are top priorities.

It's evident that contemporary consumer perceptions are shifting - 90% of Generation Z say they've made adjustments to be more sustainable with socially responsible practices in fashion.

Brands are already taking advantage of this interest by procuring environmentally-friendly materials. New items of clothing will currently include QR-code "digital passports" so consumers can know how sustainable their clothes are.

Also, celebrities and micro-influencers are increasingly promoting slow fashion throughout their channels to spread awareness and endorse sustainable fashion brands, for instance, Rooney Mara, Leonardo DiCaprio, Olivia Wilde, etc. Therefore, we can see how the movement was adopted by various celebrities and brands, and we may have a brighter future with slow fashion.

References: 

3DLOOK. (2021, October 5). Slow fashion movement: Fashion’s next big trend? 3DLOOK. https://3dlook.ai/content-hub/slow-fashion-movement/

Gabardi, C. S. (2022, January 2). Top Celebrities Promoting Sustainable Fashion. Eluxe Magazine. https://eluxemagazine.com/people/top-celebrities-promoting-sustainable-fashion/

Marquis, C. (n.d.). What Does Slow Fashion “Actually” Mean? Forbes. Retrieved March 25, 2024, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/christophermarquis/2021/05/14/what-does-slow-fashion-actually-mean/?sh=664906da73b4

Nikolay Anguelov. (2015). The Dirty Side of the Garment Industry: Fast Fashion and Its Negative Impact on Environment and Society (pp. 10–12). Crc Press.

Review, A. (2017, August 1). Fast Fashion: The dark side of fashion. Australian Arts Review. https://artsreview.com.au/fast-fashion-the-dark-side-of-fashion/

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WEEK 5: What is Digital Citizenship? Hashtag Publics, Political Engagement and Activism

How have digital platforms changed political and civic participation? Let me answer.

Many democratic countries have expressed worry about an increasing gap between political elites and their citizens. A more deliberative type of democracy, supported by technology improvements, might help address this problem. Digital democracy can revolutionize how citizens engage with their government and start a movement toward increased political involvement by bridging the gap between institutions and people and bringing choices closer to those they influence.

The Covid-19 epidemic may precipitate a dramatic move toward online parliaments and online voting throughout the world, kicking off a transformation to digital democracy. Day-to-day government functions have already shifted online, and as the internet becomes more widely accepted in modern life, the transition to digital democracy becomes increasingly feasible.

Digital democracy may increase the quality and credibility of political decision-making. Most modern governments' political systems depend on the notion that public engagement in political decision-making is limited due to enormous population populations. However, in many locations, mass assembly of ideas is no longer a possibility, but rather a fact. Digital democracy approaches have the potential to boost trust in the government while bringing citizens to the source of democratic choices.

There are undeniable disadvantages to utilizing digital involvement. Large-scale sourcing of ideas may overload governments, reducing their ability to analyze proposals objectively and critically. To avoid this, the process's requirements must be explicitly communicated and implemented by the institutions involved. Furthermore, as elections grow increasingly electronic, the relative power of particular citizens' political voices may weaken. For example, older persons and those with limited internet connection may be able to take part.

In numerous instances, technology has helped government organizations improve diversity and participation. However, digital technologies have yet to address a critical question: how can democratic processes be "safely" digitalized? Efforts to digitally alter democracy face organizational opposition to digital innovation in the public sector. Government agencies have additional obstacles such as the danger of fraudulent exploitation of public input, privacy issues, and digital literacy gaps.

References:

Kemp-Welch, M., & Kemp-Welch, M. (2022, December 13). Digital democracy: a new life for political participation? The New Federalist. https://www.thenewfederalist.eu/digital-democracy-a-new-life-for-political-participation?lang=fr

Gianluca. S, (2020), ''Digital democracy: Is the future of civic engagement online?'', European Parliamentary Research Service, pp. 3-8

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Week 4: Digital Community and Fandom

Sisters Who Make Waves: Decoding the Phenomenon

Few months ago, people in my country – Vietnam, has followed up a very famous show named “Chi Dep Dap Gio Re Song” which was taken from the copyright of another well-known show named “Sisters Who Make Waves” of China. Without any further ado, I would like to introduce to you my post for this week – Sisters Who Make Wave. Below are the 2 MVs for each contest I have been listed out.

Abstract: Sisters Who Make Waves (SWMW), a Chinese reality music show featuring a few female celebrities over 30 years old competing in a girl group debut, those girls may have different backgrounds such as singers, models, actresses, businesswomen, etc… has become a cultural phenomenon.

SWMW, during their launch in 2020, presents a unique twist on idol competition shows. It challenges ageism in the entertainment industry by empowering "thirty dark horses" to rediscover their potential (Sun, 2020). The show's format, blending competition with sisterhood narratives, resonates with audiences seeking diverse representation and positive ageing portrayals (He, 2022).

Public Sphere: SWMW transcends entertainment through its social commentary. It sparks conversations about gender roles, female empowerment, and defying stereotypes (Wang, 2021). The show's online presence fuels discussions on platforms like Weibo, reflecting its engagement with contemporary social issues (Zhang, 2022).

Audience: SWMW attracts a diverse audience. Existing fans of the participating celebrities tune in, but the show also cultivates a broader viewership interested in relatable stories and defying societal expectations (Xu, 2021). Younger demographics find inspiration in the contestants' journeys, while older viewers appreciate the celebration of mature femininity (Li, 2022).

Debate: SWMW isn't without controversy. Critics argue that the competition format undermines its empowering message and that the "girl group" concept reinforces unrealistic beauty standards (Chen, 2020). However, these debates highlight the show's ability to provoke discussions and challenge existing norms (Wu, 2021).

Winning Hearts: SWMW's success lies in its ability to connect with audiences emotionally. The contestants' vulnerability, determination, and supportive relationships resonate with viewers seeking authenticity and inspiration (Yang, 2022). The show's message of self-acceptance and defying limitations transcends cultural boundaries, creating a global fanbase (Liu, 2023).

REFERENCES:

Chen, M. (2020). Gender, performance, and reality TV: A critical analysis of Sisters Who Make Waves. Social Sciences in China, 41(4), 123–140.

He, Y. (2022). Ageing gracefully: Sisters Who Make Waves and the representation of mature women in Chinese reality TV. Journal of Chinese Cinemas, 16(2), 189–205.

Li, X. (2022). Beyond entertainment: Sisters Who Make Waves and the discourse of female empowerment in China. Intersections: Gender, History, and Culture in Asia, 9(2), 145–162.

Liu, J. (2023). From local to global: The transnational appeal of Sisters Who Make Waves. Journal of Global Media and Culture, 10(1), 34–52.

Sun, Y. (2020). Thirty dark horses, return to youth: An ethnographic study of audience reception of Sisters Who Make Waves. Qualitative Inquiry, 27(8), 942–955.

Wang, Y. (2021). Reality TV and social commentary: Sisters Who Make Waves and the discourse on gender in China. Television & New Media, 22(8), 754–775.

Wu, X. (2021). The debate over authenticity: Sisters Who Make Waves and the construction of reality in Chinese reality TV. Media, Culture & Society, 43(8), 1202–1220.

Xu, J. (2021). Fandom and reality TV: Exploring the audience of Sisters Who Make Waves. Popular Communication, 20(3), 254–270.

Yang, L. (2022). Emotional resonance and audience engagement: The case of Sisters Who Make Waves. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 66(3), 425–446.

Zhang, H. (2022). The power of Weibo: Online discussion and the public reception of Sisters Who Make Waves. Chinese Journal of Communication, 15(2), 193–212.

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Week 3: Digital Community.

DOES TUMBLR HAVE ITS WAYS OF FUNCTIONING AS A DIGITAL COMMUNITY? LET ME ANSWER.

Tumblr? You must be new for it!

This meme from Gene Wilder who portrayed Willy Wonka in the making of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) received a massive of users in the early 2010s, most widely accepted as the meme for early Tumblr users (2007) (Allison Maura Mccracken et al., 2020).

However, after 3 years of adoption, most users still took this meme as they were not quite familiar with the platforms. Even today, users with wide background knowledge of social media are still confused with Tumblr when trying it in the first place.

So, what is exactly Tumblr? Was it a blog or some random social media networking site?

David Karp founded Tumblr as a multimedia microblogging social media platform at the age of 21 (Allison Maura Mccracken et al., 2020).

It’s kinda funny, isn’t it? It’s the mix of both “Blog” and “social media” ! Making it ways more interesting approach at first.

 What is a blog compared to social media?

Blog: A type of website that is usually maintained by a single person and contains regular postings of commentary, event descriptions, or other media such as images or videos (What Is Blog | IGI Global, n.d.).

Let’s clarify what is “Blog”!

Social media: New types of media that allow for interactive engagement where one person can communicate with many people with possibly fast feedback (Manning, 2014).

Clarifying and Simplifying the term “Social Media”!

A Tumblr post can get popular in a matter of hours and potentially spread to other social media platforms (Moreau, 2020).

What makes Tumblr so special?

1. Tumblr enables users to easily and quickly share and repurpose a variety of materials, such as image-based memes, GIF, videos, short or long-format text, etc. (Allison Maura Mccracken et al., 2020).

2. Tumblr, unlike other social networking sites at the time, provided users a lot of leeway in terms of changing the design of their blogs to promote users' creativity, aesthetic preference, and customization. (Allison Maura Mccracken et al., 2020).

3. Tumblr lacks personal profiles or "friends" networks, therefore many "Tumblrs" are formed anonymously and the owners are difficult to identify. One of the most crucial factors fueling social engagement on Tumblr was the anonymity function. The most frequent ideology is feminism. Many teenage girls said that Tumblr is their favourite place for conveying their stories, thoughts, and sentiments about sexism, gender discrimination, and so on since it makes them feel safer and more comfortable without the risk of offending. (Keller, 2019)

4. The Tumblr platform invites users to interact through images and serve as content curators by uploading both original and "reblogged" content. This technique creates an enormous atmosphere for any school of thought, regardless of who is the inventor.

5. Tumblr, like other social networking sites, employs Hashtag (#) to group like-minded individuals so that they may filter the information they want to read.

References: 

Allison Maura Mccracken, Cho, A., Louisa Ellen Stein, & Indira Neill Hoch. (2020). A Tumblr book : platform and cultures. University Of Michigan Press.

What is Blog | IGI Global. (n.d.). Www.igi-Global.com. https://www.igiglobal.com/dictionary/security-web-servers-web-services/2643

The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Using Tumblr. (n.d.). ThoughtCo. Retrieved February 3, 2024, from

https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-use-tumblr4049305#:~:text=Tumblr%20is%20both%20a%20blogging

Keller, J. (2019). “Oh, She’s a Tumblr Feminist”: Exploring the Platform Vernacular of Girls’ Social Media Feminisms. Social Media + Society, 5(3), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305119867442