Zhi Ying

I’m a Bachelor of Media and Communication student 🎧💬. This blog is where I share my univeristy assignment

[zhiyingy]

Photography for Social Media Marketing Workshop Experience

I had the opportunity to join in the Photography for Social Media Marketing workshop on 16 April 2026, hosted by the SUT program. As a Bachelor of Media and Communication student, I was thrilled to participate in this workshop, despite it being a bit chaotic 🙃. My team members and I put in extra effort as we had only two hours to prepare, shoot and edit photos. We decided to shoot a camera as our product and produce social media marketing material 📷. Even though it was a rushed and stressful process, and we were nervous in the beginning, we were rewarded with a Silver Award🥈🩶. It was such a difficult but valuable experience that I am grateful for 🫶🏼. I also want to thank my lecturers for giving us the opportunity to take part in this event🙏🏻, despite it being quite unexpected and to my friend Belle for agreeing to be my model for the workshop 😭❤️.

[zhiyingy]

Why Is Everyone So Angry Online? Maybe Because Anger Gets More Likes 📱⚠️ Have you ever noticed that some of the most viral content online is not always the most creative or meaningful?🤔 Sometimes the videos with millions of views are the ones that make people angry 😭.

A controversial opinion, an intentionally bad cooking video or a creator saying something ridiculous will get millions of comments and reactions

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And that is where things become interesting. What if the real purpose of a viral post was to make people angry enough to comment and share to keep the conversation going? 👀

Social Media Was Built For Connection… But Conflict Became Part Of It ⚠️ Social media was originally to be a space where people could connect, share ideas and engage with communities across the world. It enabled the ordinary users the opportunity to join in conversations that were once controlled by traditional media and institutions. But digital spaces are also places where conflict, disagreement and power exists. MediaSmarts (2022) defines digital citizenship as a responsibility to engage in digital environments in a responsible and ethical way.

Meanwhile, social media governance involves the way social media are governed by policy, content moderation, community guidelines and technologies systems that determine what kinds of behaviour are encouraged or restricted (Kumar & Gupta, 2023). Sometimes conflict is planned🎭. Welcome To The World of Rage Bait 🤬🎣 In the past, trolling was often associated with anonymous users who posted offensive comments simply to annoy other people.

However, trolling has evolved into a content strategy where some creators will produce controversial or annoying content on purpose because they know anger can get attention 💀.

This strategy is known as "rage bait" - content that trigger strong emotional reactions especially anger so audience will interact through comments, shares and debates (Aktay, 2025).

The strange thing is that the algorithm does not necessarily care whether people are making positive or negative comments. Both reactions are considered engagement. Human attention is a strategic resource as user engagement is converted into data, visibility and advertising profit. Each comment and reaction can be valuable because it keeps users active on the platform.

When Food Waste Becomes A Strategy For Views 😡 A popular rage bait on TikTok is by a content creator Wasil Daoud who gained fame for making videos about excessive food waste. Many viewers found his content to be wasteful especially as he pours large amounts of ice cream, chocolate syrup and other food into the oversized bowl.

Users watched because they were shocked, frustrated and wanted to criticise the behaviour 😤.

Many viewers did not watch because they enjoyed the videos. Instead, they watched because they were frustrated and wanted to criticise the behaviour. People left angry comments, even shared the videos to criticise them and debated whether the content should even exist online.

Every comment, share and argument became engagement that allows the algorithm to recognise the content as popular and push it to even more users. Sometimes, outrage itself becomes the reason why content succeeds 🔥. Rage Bait Exists In Local Content Too 🇲🇾 Well, rage bait is not limited to international creators. Local social media content can also generate attention through creating conflict and curiosity including public debate. The viral ST Rosyam Mart “couple argument” video, where a man and woman were seen having a heated argument inside the supermarket.

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The video quickly went viral, with many viewers questioning whether the argument was genuine or a scripted marketing strategy to attract attention. While some viewers were curious about the situation, others criticised the campaign as misleading and an unethical way of creating unnecessary drama for publicity.

It shows that controversy can become a powerful form of engagement, where conflict itself helps content spread across social media platforms.

But What Happens When Conflict Becomes Harmful? 🚨 Not all online arguments are harmless entertainment.

Online harassment research shows that online conflict can escalate into serious issues such as cyberbullying, attacks, hate speech and coordinated harassment (Schoenebeck et al., 2023).

One important issue is gendered harassment where women and gendered minorities often receive attacks based on their appearance, gender identity and sexuality, not just their opinions (Enock et al., 2026).

This shows that not everyone is equally affected by online conflict. Sometimes, legal action is required in extreme cases. Governments across the world have introduced laws relating to cyber harassment, online threats and harmful digital behaviour ⚖️. However, legal solutions are complicated because governments must balance user safety with the protection of freedom of speech.

So... Who is Responsible? The Users or The Platforms?🤔 This is probably one of the biggest questions in social media governance. Users have a responsibility to practise good digital citizenship by thinking critically before participating in online conflict.  Sometimes, responding to harmful content is necessary. But there are also times when commenting is just a way of giving attention to people who are intentionally seeking outrage.

But the responsibility shouldn't be entirely on the users. Social media companies also have a responsibility through corporate social responsibility (CSR) to create healthier digital environments. This includes upgrading moderation systems to make platforms safer and rethinking algorithms that reward harmful engagement (Rehan et al., 2024)

So if a platform is making profits from the conflict, can it really claim to be completely neutral? 👀 Maybe The Real Product Is Our Anger 🌙 The most uncomfortable truth about rage bait is that it shows how the modern internet works. Success online is no longer only about creating the best content. It is all about grabbing attention and anger is one of the easiest feeling to grab.

Of course, not all arguments on the internet are bad. Social media has also allowed important debates, activism and social change to happen✊. But as digital citizens, we need to recognise the difference between meaningful discussion and content that is intentionally provoking us for views.

So the next time a video makes you immediately want to open the comment section and argue because it made you angry… maybe pause for a moment 😭. Ask yourself: Am I actually contributing to a real conversation or just turning my anger into someone else’s views?💀 References Aktay, H. (2025, December 2). Rage Bait | KÜRE Encyclopedia. Kureansiklopedi.com. https://kureansiklopedi.com/en/detay/rage-bait-e43f6 Enock, F. E., Stevens, F., Sippy, T., Bright, J., Cross, M., Johansson, P., Wajcman, J., & Margetts, H. Z. (2026). Gendered inequalities in online harms: Fear, safety work, and online participation. Computers in Human Behavior, 181, 108990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2026.108990 Kumar, A. M., & Gupta, S. (2023). Governance of Social Media Platforms: A Literature Review. Pacific Asia Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.17705/1pais.15103 MediaSmarts. (2022, August 8). What is Digital Citizenship?. https://mediasmarts.ca/digital-media-literacy/general-information/digital-media-literacy-fundamentals/what-digital-citizenship Rehan, M., Bukhari, S. S., & Aamir, A. A. (2024). Digital Media’s Influence on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Public Perception of Brands. ResearchGate, 3(10), 131–137. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385812855_Digital_Media

Schoenebeck, S., Lampe, C., & Triệu, P. (2023). Online Harassment: Assessing Harms and Remedies. Social Media + Society, 9(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051231157297

[zhiyingy]

How Can One Hashtag Make A Million Of People Care? 📱🌎 People generally used to spread the word about an issue through newspapers, TV or organised protests a few years ago. Now all it sometimes takes is a hashtag#️⃣

One hashtag can quickly go viral on Instagram, TikTok, X and many other platforms within hours. All of a sudden, millions of people who haven't met, are commenting all on the same post, talking about the same event and having the same discussion. Well, let's just say I'm pretty impressed 😮. How does one tiny "#" symbols manage to bring together so many people from different countries, backgrounds and experiences? It was the same question that introduced me to hashtag activism.

When A Hashtag Becomes A Public Space 💬 People will mostly think that the hashtags are just labels that are used to organise posts online. You click on a hashtag to see some related content and continue your day. But hashtags actually do something much bigger than that.

According to Agustya et al. (2023), hashtags can create what are known as hashtag publics, temporary communities where strangers gather around shared conversations, events and social issues.

It is similar to a modern town square🏙️, except people are connected through their screens rather than sharing the same physical space. This idea is also connected to Ojala and Ripatti-Torniainen (2023) concept of networked publics where digital technologies allow people to gather, communicate and engage in public discussions through online platforms. 

Black Lives Matter: A Movement That Became A Hashtag ✊🏾 Before discussing #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd, it is important to understand that #BlackLivesMatter already existed long before 2020.

The Black Lives Matter movement was founded in 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. The hashtag #BlackLivesMatter was created by activists Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi as a way to challenge racism and police violence against Black communities.

Over time, the hashtag evolved into a global movement that brought attention to exposes the issue like discrimination, police brutality and racial inequality.

People from different countries were able to engage in the same conversation through hashtags, videos, news articles and personal stories.

#JusticeForGeorgeFloyd And The Moment The World Paid Attention 🌍 The Black Lives Matter movement was already a recognized movement, but gained unprecedented global visibility after the death of George Floyd in May 2020. George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, died after police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes during an arrest in Minneapolis, United States. A bystander recorded the incident on a smartphone and the footage quickly went viral across social media platforms.

The video was viewed by millions of people with many using hashtags #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd and #BlackLivesMatter to share the information and demand accountability. This case has quickly expanded from regular social media users. Celebrities and large corporations posted statements on social media to show support while promoting petitions, and encourage discussion about racial justice.

Many people also changed their profile pictures, posted black squares as part of the #BlackoutTuesday campaign 🖤 and shared Black Lives Matter resources to show solidarity. 

Meanwhile, thousands of people were protesting and demonstrating both online and offline to show the power of social media conversation turning into action.

Companies like Nike, McDonalds, L'Oreal, Cotton On and Ben & Jerry made a statement on social media and public figures also used these platforms to express support for the movement.

Why Did It Spread So Fast? 🚀 At first glance, it might seem like hashtags become popular because lots of people start using them. It relates to the concept of "platformisation" that refers to how digital platforms, algorithms and infrastructures increasingly shape the way society communicates (Poell et al., 2019). In other words, social media platforms are not just passive spaces where content sits waiting to be discovered. Their algorithms help determine what people see, what becomes popular, and what reaches a wider audience

The Algorithm Is Part Of The Story 🤖 Most of us do not actively search for every post we see. Instead, the platforms will constantly provide content to our feed based on engagement and popularity. Algorithms will continue to promote powerful content to more users when it starts receiving comments, shares, reactions and so on. This is exactly what happened with videos and posts related to George Floyd's death. Content spread quickly since people were interacting with it and platform algorithms boosted its visibility as well 🌐.

It also impacted by platform algorithms for visibility and reach. If it weren't for this amplification, many conversations might never gain global attention. But Not Every Hashtag Survives ⌛️ At the same time, not every hashtag becomes a long-term movement. Thousands of hashtags appear online every single day. Some go viral for a few weeks or even months and then slowly disappear from public attention.

The #IceBucketChallenge (or #ALSIceBucketChallenge) is an example of a trend that went viral in 2014 to raise awareness and donations for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Millions of people uploaded videos of themselves pouring buckets of ice water over their heads and challenged others to participate.

Although the campaign successfully raised awareness and funds for ALS research, the hashtag eventually lost momentum as public attention moved on to other issues. It shows an important aspect of hashtag publics: they can be incredibly powerful, but they can also be fragile. A digital public can be created overnight, attract millions of people to join and influence the conversation. Yet it can also fade quickly as attention shifts elsewhere ⏳.

Is Posting A Hashtag Actually Activism? 🤔 This is likely one of the biggest debates on hashtag activism. Some people argue that posting a hashtag helps raise awareness and encourages public discussion 📢. Others say that online participation can't be enough to make a difference. I personally feel both perspectives are true. A hashtag cannot solve a problem by itself. It can introduce people to issues they may never have learned about and make it easier for more voices to join the conversation ⚖️.

According to Webster (2025), digital citizenship involves participating responsibly in digital environments. This means not only sharing content but also evaluating information, engaging respectfully and understanding the impact of our online participation. The Internet's New Town Square 🌙 I love hashtag activism because it is a way to make social media into something bigger than entertainment. For a moment, millions of strangers are able to discuss one concern including one story or one issue. They share information, debate ideas and add their own voice to a discussion that goes beyond the nation's boundaries.

The hashtag may eventually stop trending and public attention may shift elsewhere, but for that moment, social media becomes a digital town square where people around the world participate in the same conversation 💬. That is a lot of power for a tiny "#" symbol ✨.

References Agustya, S. V., Natalia, K., & Irwansyah, I. (2023). Communication through hashtags in social movements: A systematic literature review. Journal La Sociale, 4(5), 319–328. https://doi.org/10.37899/journal-la-sociale.v4i5.908 Ojala, M., & Ripatti-Torniainen, L. (2023). Where is the public of “networked publics”? A critical analysis of the theoretical limitations of online publics research. European Journal of Communication, 39(2), 145–160. https://doi.org/10.1177/02673231231210207 Poell, T., Nieborg, D., & Dijck, J. van. (2019). Platformisation. Internet Policy Review, 8(4). https://policyreview.info/concepts/platformisation Webster, J. (2025). Defining digital citizenship and digital citizenship education: a Delphi study. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2025.2536564

[zhiyingy]

Why Does Everyone Have The Same Face On Instagram? I swear Instagram has reached a point where I can no longer tell whether I am looking at a real selfie, a filtered selfie or a face generated by pure digital magic 💀. Every time I scroll through my Instagram, everyone has perfect skin and somehow they don't look like they just rolled out of bed.

At first, I thought it was simply good makeup, good photography skills or people being aware of their best angles. Sometimes I genuinely have no idea whether a photo has been edited, filtered or completely unedited. Everything just looks so polished nowadays ✨.

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Most people think filters are just harmless little tools that make photos look nicer. Maybe they brighten the lighting, smooth your skin or add a cute effect to their story. But modern filters can do a lot more than that. Some can reshape facial features, alter skin texture, adjust face proportions and subtly change the way someone looks without most people even noticing.

Which makes me wonder...

How much of what we see online is actually a person, and how much of it is software? 👀

Instagram Filters Are More Powerful Than We Think 🎭 One thing that makes Instagram filters so interesting is that they are no longer just decorations. Many of the filters we have used today are actually "Augmented Reality (AR)" where digital effects are directly onto our faces and surroundings in real life.

A few years ago, AR filters were mostly used for fun. People would turn themselves into puppies or wear flower crowns. Even the superzoom love effect was a whole trend 😭

I swear to god... those are the OG instagram filters. Now they are much more advanced. Some AR filters can instantly smooth skin, brighten eyes, slim facial features and adjust lighting while the camera is still recording.

The changes happen so quickly that sometimes it's hard for people to believe that they are looking at a digitally enhanced version of reality. The Software Is Making Decisions For Us🤖 This is where software literacy becomes really important. It is also to know how technology influences what we observe and how we see the world around us 🌍. An AR filter automatically removes acne and softens wrinkles or changes facial proportions and the software makes decisions about what is considered attractive.

When it comes to faces, it subtly implies that one version of a face looks better than the other. Software has a significant influence on digital culture, as many of our experiences online are influenced by technological systems that work behind the scenes (Manovich, 2011). It actively influences how people create content and how audiences interpret it.

The "No Filter" Filter 😭 One of the funniest things about social media is that many filters are designed to look like there is no filter at all 😭. People use filters to create the appearance of being completely natural.

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The selfie may seem completely natural, but there could be AR face tracking, smoothing of the skin, lighting adjustments and some subtle changes in the face going on at the same time. The technology becomes almost invisible, but its influence does not.

Even Celebrities Got Called Out 🔥 This is not just something that happens with influencers. Celebrities have also faced criticism when followers suspected that beauty filters or editing tools were being used on social media.

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Madison Beer is an example, as she has been the centre of focus for many online discussions regarding beauty standards and photo editing. Some social media users have accused her of heavily editing photos or using beauty filters, while others argue that her appearance is simply the result of makeup and lighting. They are surprised because they believed the image was completely natural. This is a reminder of the importance people still give to being honest and genuine on the internet.

Why Digital Citizenship Matters ⚠️ The word digital citizenship is used and most people immediately think of online safety, privacy settings or avoiding cyberbullying. All that is important of course, but I think there is another side to it which people don't talk about enough. It's also a learning process of how to think critically about the information we're taking in on a daily basis. When we see a perfectly edited selfie on Instagram, we probably might pause and reflect on a few questions.

Is this image filtered?

How was this content created?

According to Scholarworks et al. (2019), digital citizenship involves developing the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to use technology responsibly.  With so many filters that can change a person's looks within a few seconds, these skills are more important than ever before.

It is knowing how Instagram might be influencing the way we see reality. So... Can We Still Trust What We See Online? 🌙 The thing about Instagram filters is, they are not inherently bad or good ⚖️.

These are used for harmless purposes by most people. Some use them for creativity, some use them for entertainment, and others like to experiment with the different looks. There is nothing wrong with that. The issue is forgetting that the filter exists. As AR filters become more advanced, they are becoming harder to detect. The technology is meant to be invisible, meaning that digital enhancement can be confused with reality without people even realising.

Not because we need to stop using filters. One thing is for sure, technology will continue to progress no matter what. But the more we understand how these tools work, the better we become at recognising when technology is quietly influencing what we see, what we believe and sometimes even how we see ourselves 📱✨.

References Manovich, L. (2011). Cultural software. https://manovich.net/index.php/projects/cultural-software Scholarworks, S., Walters, M., Gee, D., & Mohammed, S. (2019). A Literature Review-Digital Citizenship and Elementary Education A Literature Review-Digital Citizenship and Elementary Education. https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?params=/context/facpubs/article/1320/&path_info=A_Literature_Review_Digital_Citizenship_and_Elementary_Education.pdf

[zhiyingy]

Why Does Everyone Look So Perfect Online? 📱✨ Lately I have been thinking about something kind of weird 🤔. For real, the longer I spend my time scrolling through social media, the more it feels like everyone is slowly starting to look the same😭. Okay, not exactly identical, but similar enough that you start noticing the same features, the same makeup styles and even the same beauty standards appearing over again.

Honestly, that's what got me thinking about body modification in the first place. When most people hear the term body modification, they usually think about cosmetic surgery straight away. However, body modification can actually include many different ways people alter or manage their appearance such as makeup, fashion, dieting, fitness, beauty treatments, fillers and cosmetic procedures. These are some visual examples these forms of body modification 👁️👄👁️.

Sometimes it is simply about trying to get closer to an ideal version of yourself. Well... social media seems to be making that ideal version harder and harder to escape. The Internet Loves Beauty Standard✨ One thing I keep noticing online is how certain appearances get praised over and over again.

If you are scrolling through Instagram, TikTok or even Pinterest, you'll notice many of the same features you see repeat. Features like clear skin, symmetrical faces, slim body proportions and perfectly styled hair keep showing up everywhere. Aesthetic templates are the specific and repetitive visual aesthetics that are shared on social media, such as poses, body work, and certain styles, and are becoming an element in the perception of beauty in society.

Beauty becomes less a matter of personal preference and more like a social standard that people do feel pressured to follow. Sometimes it feels like everyone is chasing the same look, even if they don't realise it.

Then K-pop Entered The Chat 💬 And this is where K-pop becomes really interesting. If there's an industry that has a perfect aesthetic template, it is probably K-pop. Even if someone doesn't actively listen to K-pop, there's a chance they have still seen K-pop beauty standards online. Most K-pop idols are constantly featured in TikTok edits, Instagram posts and even their beauty tutorials. Based on their visual, it becomes a reference point for what beauty is supposed to look like.

Cha Eun-woo from Astro is often referred to as a "face genius" because his facial proportions are widely viewed as the ideal male beauty standard in Korean media. Many fans are inspired to recreate his hairstyle, fashion choices and clean aesthetic.

Then there's Karina from Aespa.

Many people have become so mesmerised by her appearance that her visuals are often described as AI-like because of her symmetry, clear skin, large eyes and sharp facial features. In fact, her visuals have become so widely discussed online that many TikTok videos and beauty forums use her as a reference point when discussing modern K-pop beauty standards.

Recently, her Met Gala look captured everyone's attention, it has quickly going viral and inspiring fans across social media to recreate Karina's beauty and styling. What makes this interesting is that both idols function as visual templates that many fans compare themselves to online. According to Hu et al., 2024, this is part of micro-celebrity culture where people carefully manage their online image as like their personal brand. They are made visible as digital personalities through Instagram, TikTok and other platforms where their face is constantly spread, discussed and admired online.

Looking Perfect Becomes Part Of The Job 💅 Another thing I find fascinating about K-pop is that appearance is almost treated like part of the performance itself. But they are also expected to maintain a carefully managed public image  😭.

This can be seen in idols like Wonyoung from IVE. Whenever she has a comeback or viral clip, people often end up analysing everything from her posture and makeup to her body proportions, fashion choices, and even small moments like how she eats strawberries💀.

It also relates to visibility labour where maintaining a public image becomes part of the work itself (Xie et al., 2023). K-pop idols are expected to be constantly online and would present a polished and aspirational version of themselves. Since fans are exposed to these images on a regular basis, they begin to copy the same makeup style, fashion sense and beauty routine.

From Inspiration To Modification 💉 This is where things start getting a little complicated. Some people only get inspired when it comes to makeup, skincare or fashion. Maybe they buy a new lipstick because their favourite idol uses it or try a new hairstyle after seeing it on TikTok. But for some people, it can go further.

Body modification can include cosmetic procedures, fillers, skin treatments and surgery. People would bring up Park Bom from 2NE1 when discussing cosmetic enhancement and beauty expectations in the K-pop industry. In more extreme cases, celebrity aesthetics can start to blur into identity itself. One famous case is Oli London who had multiple cosmetic surgeries and openly admitted his obsession to look like Park Jimin from BTS.

Although the case was controversial, it shows how online admiration can sometimes turn into physical transformation. What makes social media powerful is that online beauty ideals do not always stay online. Sometimes they have an impact on real life appearance. The Problem With Chasing Perfection ⚠️ I believe this is the part people don't talk about enough. Most of K-pop images we see online are edited.

There is a team of professional photographers, stylists, editors and sometimes filters involved with the K-pop idols' photoshoots. But people still compare themselves with those edited pictures. Identity dissonance can occur when there is a growing gap between how people see themselves and the idealised identities they encounter online (Mehrotra et al., 2025). Frequent exposure to edited photos can make some people feel dissatisfied with their own looks.

Social media comparisons have also been associated with body image issues and symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) among younger users (Gupta et al., 2023). That doesn't mean that K-pop is bad. But I think it shows what social media can do to shape the conversation about beauty including bodies and self-worth.

So... What Does Beauty Even Look Like Anymore? 🌙 The thing about body modification that make it interesting is that it's not about changing bodies. It's also about understanding where our ideas about beauty come from in the first place. And social media is a huge factor in influencing those ideas right now. K-pop is one of the best examples to talk about how online platforms, celebrity culture and beauty standards all work together. Because sometimes it feels like social media keeps telling us to be ourselves... At the same time showing us the same face again and again.

References Gupta, M., Jassi, A., & Krebs, G. (2023). The Association between Social Media Use and Body Dysmorphic Symptoms in Young People. Frontiers in Psychology, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1231801 Hu, A., Yuan, R., Chen, R., & Liu, M. J. (2024). A glamorous but highly stressful job: The role of social media-afforded status in micro-celebrity stress coping. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 209, 123791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123791 Mehrotra, A., Vishnoi, S. K., Alshaghdali, N. O., Galgotia, D., & Shahzadi, I. (2025). The Dissonance Within. Journal of Global Information Management, 33(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.4018/jgim.392502 Xie, S., Wei, H., & Liu, F. (2023). Is beauty always good? Effects of visual presentation of Influencer’s aesthetic labor on brand purchase intention. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 75, 103528–103528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2023.103528

[zhiyingy]

Gaming Isn't Just About Games Anymore 🎮

Okay, but can we talk about how gaming stopped being "just playing games" like a long time ago?😭 Because now it feels like gaming is basically its own social media universe. People aren't just gaming anymore. There are so many different ways people stay connected to gaming now🤭

Nowadays, they’re livestreaming, spending hours in Discord calls, watching Twitch streams like it’s a full-time hobby, dropping money on in-game skins, making TikTok edits and somehow getting emotionally attached to strangers screaming into a microphone during ranked matches 💀. And honestly? Sometimes people spend more time watching games than actually playing them. The Internet Turned Gaming Into a Community 🕹️ Online multiplayer didn't seem to be all that big before gaming was all about individual play. Back then, people mostly played with their siblings, cousins or friends sitting next to them on the same couch. Now everything feels connected.

Games like Valorant, Minecraft, Fortnite and League of Legends are no longer just a game. They have basically become online social spaces where people can spend hours talking, joking, arguing and making friends. Sometimes people do not even log into games because they seriously want to “win.” Let's be honest, some of the funniest chats are during games 😭.

When it comes to games such as Valorant where voice chat is half of the experience. Gaming in some way turned into a strange mix of competitiveness, friendship, and chaos. Gaming communities are social communities in which players continue to shift both within and between smaller communities in response to their interests and their experiences (Saldanha et al., 2023). And the truth is, it's so true online.

One day someone might be watching esports clips, the next day joining a Discord server, and later spending five hours queueing ranked games with strangers who somehow become online friends. Watching People Play Games Somehow Became Entertainment 📺🎧 I still think it is kind of funny that millions of people now spend hours watching other people play games online. But somehow… It feels like it makes sense.

Platforms like Twitch completely changed gaming culture. The experience of watching livestreams is quite different from watching normal videos as everything is happening in real-time. Audiences react immediately, spam emotes in the chat, clip funny moments and feel as if they were part of the stream. Sometimes streamers are not entertaining because they are exceptionally skilled at games, but because they are chaotic, funny, relatable and dramatic for absolutely no reason 😭.

A good example is streamers such as Kai Cent or Pokimane where the audience is not just watching the gameplay anymore. People usually stay for the personality, reactions and community interactions that occur around the stream.

Communities begin forming around streamers in the same way fandoms form around celebrities or TV shows. Inside jokes, memes and even streamer language eventually becomes the culture of the community. Hamilton et al. (2014) indicate that communities aren't just built around games but also streamers themselves. Honestly, I think that explains why livestreaming feels so personal compared to traditional entertainment. Gaming Communities Can Feel Like Real Friendships🤝 One thing I find really interesting is how online gaming friendships can sometimes feel surprisingly real. These people connect on Discord servers or livestream chats, on random matches and suddenly they start talking daily.

For many people, gaming communities create real emotional connections that simply happen online instead of offline According to Tausczik & Huang (2020) an online community is a “knowledge community” that is brought together by shared interests by participation and emotional investment. Players constantly help one another by sharing strategies, explaining mechanics, discussing updates and helping newer players improve.

In games like Final Fantasy XIV, players constantly share strategies, dungeon mechanics and character builds through online communities. But Gaming Spaces Are Not Always Welcoming⚠️ At the same time, gaming culture also has a darker side that people do not always talk about enough.

Gaming spaces can become extremely toxic, especially towards women, LGBTQ+ players, beginners, younger players as well as people considered “bad” at games. Sometimes people are judged immediately based only on their voice during voice chat. And honestly… Some gaming communities still act like gaming only belongs to a certain type of person. Taylor & Phillips (2026) addresses the stereotypical representation of a “gamer” as a male youth, which has historically been linked to a gaming culture dominated by men. This attitude still exists in competitive games to this day.

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For example, female Valorant players sometimes receive unnecessary harassment the moment they speak in voice chat. Instead of focusing on the actual game, some players immediately become rude, dismissive or weirdly aggressive for no reason. Which honestly says a lot about how online communities can sometimes reflect real-world biases too.

However, there are many gaming communities that are slowly growing more inclusive. More creators and players are openly discussing sexism, harassment and toxicity in gaming spaces instead of pretending those issues do not exist. So gaming culture now feels a bit complicated. It can feel incredibly welcoming and incredibly toxic at the exact same time. Gaming Is Basically Digital Culture Now 🎮✨ What makes gaming so interesting now is that it no longer exists separately from internet culture. Gaming now overlaps with live streaming, fandoms, influencer culture, social media, online identity and digital communities.

Let’s be real… sometimes the actual game is not even the main thing anymore. Sometimes people stay for the friendships, the community, the streamer and the experience of simply hanging out online. The game may bring people together at first… …but the community is usually the reason they stay 🫶. References Hamilton, W., Garretson, O., & Kerne, A. (2014, April 26). Streaming on Twitch: Fostering participatory communities of play within live mixed media. Streaming on Twitch: Fostering Participatory Communities of Play within Live Mixed Media, 1315–1324. https://doi.org/10.1145/2556288.2557048 Saldanha, L., da Silva, S. M., & Ferreira, P. D. (2023, January 3). “Community” in video game communities. Games and Culture, 18(8), 155541202211500. https://doi.org/10.1177/15554120221150058 Tausczik, Y., & Huang, X. (2020, May). Knowledge generation and sharing in online communities: current trends and future directions. Current Opinion in Psychology, 36, 60–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.04.009 Taylor, B., & Phillips, M. J. (2026, May 12). Beyond the Avatar: Understanding Men’s Navigation of Gaming Culture. Mdpi.com. https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/16/5/160

[zhiyingy]

Sustainable… or Just Another Trend? 👗 You know what? Can we just talk about how impossible it is to escape the fashion content on TikTok, Instagram and even YouTube now?😭

Every time I open my phone to scroll on social media, I see someone posting a clothing haul, a "must-have" item or a new aesthetic that suddenly everybody wants to copy. One week people are obsessed with the “clean girl” look ✨ and the next week everyone's wearing bows and lace 🎀  as if we're back to 2014 Tumblr 💀. Sometimes I get influenced too 🤭. That is what makes social media so powerful. Fashion online is not simply about fashion, it's about lifestyle, personality and keeping up with the trend quickly enough before they disappear. But recently, I noticed something a little ironic 👀.

The same social media platforms that are getting people to consume more are also where they are learning more about sustainability and slow fashion 🌱♻️. And somehow… both things are happening at the same time 😭. Fast Fashion Basically Lives Online

Fast fashion and social media is a perfect duo 🤝. Brands work with influencers, because influencers know exactly how to make clothes feel trendy, relatable, and impossible to resist 😩. Younger audiences actively look towards influencers for fashion inspiration, especially on Instagram and TikTok (Hamedani et al., 2025).

Sometimes you might see the same jacket or shoes appear on your feed over and over again before suddenly wanting it too. A good example was the Adidas Chinese New Year Tang Jacket went viral online in Malaysia on TikTok and Instagram, with influencers and fashion creators contributing to its online popularity (Leong, 2026). The jacket became less of a necessity and more of a social trend people wanted to participate in online. Currently, fashion consumption is more related to belonging and visibility rather than useful. The thing about social media is, the trends move VERY fast ⚡. Algorithms are constantly feeding new fashion content into our feeds and making it easy to feel like we always need something new.

Haul videos, “get ready with me” posts, and sponsored videos make shopping feel fun and harmless, even when people are buying items they probably do not need. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) the fashion industry is one of the world’s most polluting and waste-intensive industries 🌍 (Mishra, 2025). However, social media continues the constant consumption. Because these videos are presented casually by influencers, overconsumption can start to feel completely normal online 😬.

Some brands even market themselves as "sustainable" while operating like fast fashion brands 🌱. The H&M "Conscious" collection is one example where the company actively supports materials that are environmentally friendly as it continues to produce large quantities of clothing (Whiting, 2024). This is referred to as "greenwashing" ♻️ - when brands appear to be environmentally friendly without making a significant change behind the scenes. Although sustainability is becoming more prominent online, overconsumption is still happening under the surface 🫠. Then Slow Fashion Entered the Chat 🌿 What I find interesting is how social media is also becoming the place where many people first learn about slow fashion 👗🌱. Now some influencers are encouraging capsule wardrobes, outfit repeating, thrifting, swapping clothes, and buying secondhand clothes instead of a huge shopping spree 🛍️➡️♻️. Suddenly, repeating outfits is no longer considered “boring” but it is stylish and eco-friendly ✨.

Baghel (2023) state that audiences are more likely to trust influencers because they appear more authentic and relatable online compared to traditional advertisements📱. It's a good thing that influencers talking about overconsumption or sustainable habits openly can actually make followers more aware of their own shopping habits too. But not all influencers are necessarily helpful 😶. Some creators turn sustainability into another aesthetic trend instead of encouraging real behavioural change. Brands use the terms such as ‘ethical’ or ‘eco-friendly’ for marketing than actual sustainability. So even when sustainability becomes trendy online, people can still end up consuming in a excessive manner, just in a different way😭. Malaysia’s Growing Thrift Culture 🛍️ What makes this even more interesting is how these changes are actually happening in Malaysia too 🇲🇾.

In recent years, thrifting, also known as bundle shopping, has been quite popular these days with many Malaysians ♻️🛍️. Second-hand fashion culture has grown among Generation Z in Malaysia as consumers look for more affordable and sustainable fashion choices (Nur et al., 2025). There are places like Refash and local thrift stores are now extremely popular. Even on Instagram, Malaysian creators also post "RM20 outfit challenges", thrift hauls and styling videos using second-hand clothing.

View this post on Instagram

Actually, thrift shopping feels a bit like treasure hunting because you never really know what you might find. Instead of showing expensive luxury items, many influencers are now sharing their second-hand treasures and teaching their followers how to style old clothing in creative ways ✨. I think this is one of the more positive aspects of the influencer culture, since it gives people a new perspective on fashion 🌿. Digital Citizenship and Responsible Influence This is where digital citizenship becomes important. Responsible digital citizenship is more than being a "good" net citizen 💻. Influencers have a huge amount of impact on audience behaviour, particularly those young audiences who spend hours online every single day ⏰. When influencers promote mindful shopping habits, slow fashion or thrift culture more responsible, they can positively influence online communities 🌱🤍.

But when sustainability becomes performative or purely aesthetic, audiences can easily be misled instead 😬. I personally feel that social media is a problem, as well as the solution 😭😭😭. It promotes overconsumption, but it also raises awareness on sustainability issues ♻️. It accelerates trends very quickly and it also helps normalise thrift shopping and outfit repeating 👗. And perhaps that is what makes digital culture so complicated 🫠. The internet can teach people to consume less... and at the same time convincing them to buy more 🛍️.

References Baghel, D. (2023). The Role of Influencer Authenticity and Brand Trust in Shaping Consumer Behaviour: Strategies to Engage Generation Z. ShodhKosh Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, 4(1). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387302346_THE_ROLE_OF_INFLUENCER_AUTHENTICITY_AND_BRAND_TRUST_IN_SHAPING_CONSUMER_BEHAVIOR_STRATEGIES_TO_ENGAGE_GENERATION_Z Hamedani, S. S., Lumat, Y., Ann, C., Bin Zainuddin, M. H., & Bin Minhat, M. F. (2025). Influencer Marketing and Consumer Purchase Decisions in the Fashion Industry: A Comprehensive Analysis. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, IX(VII), 5692–5710. https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/Digital-Library/volume-9-issue-7/5692-5710.pdf Leong, Z. W. (2026, January 18). 3 Malaysian Influencers on How They Are Styling The Viral Adidas Jacket. Harper’s BAZAAR Malaysia. https://harpersbazaar.my/fashion/viral-adidas-chinese-new-year-jacket/ Mishra, V. (2025, March 27). Fast fashion fuelling global waste crisis, UN chief warns. UN News. https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/03/1161636 Nur, W., Roslan, A. H., Muhamad, Hassan, & Shari, W. (2025). Exploring Consumer Intentions towards Second-Hand Clothing among Generation Z in Malaysia. Journal of Advanced Research in Business and Management Studies, 38(1), 17–25. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/391237387_Exploring_Consumer_Intentions_towards_Second-Hand_Clothing_among_Generation_Z_in_Malaysia Whiting, T. (2024, February 23). “Sustainable Style”: The Greenwashing Truth behind H&M’s Conscious Collection Adverts. Tabitha Whiting: Content Marketing Expertise for Climate Tech Start Ups. https://tabithawhiting.com/2024/02/23/hms-conscious-collection/

[zhiyingy]

Is it a Cooking Show.... or Something More? 🍳 Not gonna lie, I didn’t expect to get this into it, but here we are… I’ve been a little too excited about this lately so I figured I’d just talk about it here 🤭.

I have been watching Culinary Class Wars and to be honest, I did not expect to get that invested into it 😅. At first, I thought it was just another cooking competition with those intense challenges along with the dramatic judging and some talented contestants who are trying to prove themselves. Pretty standard huh? But nooooo😭, after a few episodes, it started to feel like something more. It is not simply just about the food but it is about the people involved, their background, their struggles and how they can deal with the pressure.

The show features around 100 chefs with "underdog" chefs against top-tier chefs in a competitive culinary battle. This difference by itself does make it more intense but it's also more personal to watch. More Than Just Food 🍽️ The interesting fact about Culinary Class Wars is the combination of cooking and storytelling. The contestants are not only judged based on technical skills, but also on the basis of creativity and even how they present themselves under pressure.

Somehow there is always that one contestant you naturally end up rooting for - usually the underdog 🥹 Then there's maybe one who somehow frustrates you for no clear reason 😭. Before you even realise it, you begin to form some opinions, picking sides and get emotionally attached to their journey. The funny thing is… this is not random.

Reality TV tends to be organised in a manner that gives emphasis on personal stories to create a stronger emotional attachment with the audience (Murray & Ouellette 2023). As a matter of fact, one of the show's greatest strengths is the juxtaposition of various culinary identities ranging from street food to Michelin-star quality as it makes the competition feel like more than just cooking (Baek Byung-yeul, 2024). And that is what keeps people watching. From Watching to Participating 📱💬 What I find even more interesting is that the experience is not terminated when the episode finishes. After watching it, I can awkwardly find myself scrolling through TikTok to see what other people are thinking and clearly, I am not the only one doing this 😭😭😭😭 .

People would analyse the judge decisions while supporting their favourite contestant and even make some edits, meme or reaction videos 🎬. There are some viewers who also make predictions or even comment on the fairness of the competition. So.... at this point, the audience is no longer simply watching the show but they are actively participating in discussions and popularity around it. This is what Jenkins and Jie (2024) refers to as participatory culture where the audience actively engages with the media rather than passively consuming it. In Culinary Class Wars, the show continues through online discussion where the viewers extending the story beyond the screen 🌐.

Sometimes, the online reactions can be more intense than the actual show 🔥. Social media platforms quickly increase the emotional reactions that can turn entertainment into fandom wars, online conflict or even targeted criticism towards contestants. Why Do We Care So Much? 🤔 One of the things that I continue to observe is that people have become so emotionally attached to contestants so fast. Although we are aware that reality TV is staged, it does not come across as fake. Reality television is meant to push the boundaries between what is considered real and what is created, forming a sense of closeness between the audience and participants 📺 (Eichelberger, 2024). Due to this, viewers also react in an emotional way, either by supporting, criticising and even defending the contestants as if they know them personally.

But at the same time, it is important to recognise that what we observe is well-developed. The editing, storytelling and production options have an impact on the way every contestant is portrayed. A "villain" or "favourite" is not necessarily natural - there are cases when it is created on purpose to entertain. And yet.....we still fall for it every single time.

A Digital Community in Action 🌍 What makes this even more meaningful is that a virtual community forms around the show. To be clear, people online may not know each other personally but they are connected through the same interest. There are people supporting the same contestants, arguing over judging decisions and reacting dramatically to every single moment of the show  🎉. It may be disorganised and sometimes even chaotic, but honestly, that is exactly what makes the community alive and interesting.

At the same time, participatory culture is not always positive. Online discussion could create community and engagement but also lead to toxic actions towards contestants. Since people can easily get emotionally attached to the show, it is possible that the criticism online may be personal instead of constructive. This is related to the concept of networked publics, in which online platforms enable people to interact and create communities based on common interests (Boyd, 2010). These shared viewing experiences can be popular, as Culinary Class Wars did, even reaching the top of the Netflix charts worldwide and attracting millions of views (Baek Byung-yeul, 2024).

References Baek Byung-yeul. (2024, October 9). “Culinary Class Wars” fuels global K-content craze. The Korea Times. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/shows-dramas/20241009/culinary-class-wars-fuels-global-k-content-craze?utm_source=legacy_url&utm_medium=redirect&utm_campaign=news_manager_id Boyd, D. (2010). Social Network Sites as Networked Publics: Affordances, Dynamics, and Implications by danah boyd (2010) - NowComment. https://nowcomment.com/documents/boydNetworkedPublics/combined?embedded=true Eichelberger, S. (2024). Opinion | From real life to reel life: The manipulation of reality TV. The Crimson White. https://thecrimsonwhite.com/116851/opinion/opinion-from-real-life-to-reel-life-the-manipulation-of-reality-tv/ Jenkins, H., & Jie, Y. (2024). The path from participatory culture to participatory politics: A critical investigation—An interview with Henry Jenkins. Communication and the Public, 9(1). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380149339_The_path_from_participatory_culture_to_participatory_politics_A_critical_investigation-An_interview_with_Henry_Jenkins

[zhiyingy]

Tumblr 🌀: A Space Where Being "Too Much" Is Actually Okay 🌙 Tumblr honestly feels like the weird corner of the internet that has somehow survived every social media era 😭. Even though people do not talk about it as much anymore, the platform still has a very specific kind of online culture that feels different from almost every other app 🌐.

Compared to the platforms such as Instagram or Twitter (X), Tumblr feels less controlled, less polished and honestly... a lot less stressful 😌. It is a space where you do not always have to worry about the algorithm or whether your post is “good enough." Instead, it allows people to produce and distribute content more freely without the constraints or performance pressure (Bianchi et al., 2022). Okay, let's put it this way. Imagine social media platforms as different types of people in our life 👥.

Firstly, there is Twitter (X) 🐦. It is that friend who always has something to say. All thoughts, opinions and random observations would be posted instantly in short bursts 💬.

Then there is Instagram 📸. This is the friend who somehow always looks put together. Everything looks sort of aesthetic and almost surreal at times like the way they post about their outfits, their food, their holidays shared to look perfect. It is nice to look at, but at the same time, it can feel a little… pressured 😬.

And then there is Tumblr 🌀. Tumblr is everything when it comes to text posts, photos, GIFs, videos long emotional rants and chaotic thoughts that only make sense to a very specific group of people. It has been called a combination of blogging and social networking (Boone, 2024) but honestly, it feels like something more personal than that 💭. Sometimes Tumblr feels less like social media and more like people shouting their thoughts into a shared online diary where somehow everyone understands each other 😭.

There are no strict rules on how you should present yourself. You can be funny, serious, emotional, messy, random or anything else and it still fits. I think that is why Tumblr still feels comforting to many users 🫶. People are not constantly trying to look perfect there in the same way they often do on Instagram or TikTok. To me, Tumblr is like the friend who doesn't say much about anything in a group 🤍, but when they finally do, they say something so real that everyone just pause for a second.

Identify Without Pressure 🪶 One interesting fact about Tumblr is that it doesn't strongly rely on identity. Many other social media platforms encourage real-name culture and personal branding, but Tumblr allows a more anonymous and flexible way of existing online 👤.

Because your identity is less tied to your real-life image or social circle, there is less pressure to constantly “perform” who you are 🎭. Instead, people can express thoughts that are more honest, even if they are messy or complicated.

It is not always about what you share, but rather the honesty and emotion behind the way you share it ❤️.

Where Marginalised Voices Show Up 🌈 This is where Tumblr becomes more than just an “alternative” platform. It becomes a space for expression that many other platforms struggle to support.

Online spaces are not always safe for marginalised groups, especially women and LGBTQ+ individuals. Many marginalised individuals already experience exclusion, harassment and misunderstanding in offline life 🌍. For this reason it's necessary to have a platform where they can speak without being judged immediately 🫶.

Tumblr offers a platform for people to share their experiences 📝 that are sometimes not discussed in public including struggles with identity, emotional distress, bullying or loneliness. These are not always dramatic stories. Sometimes it's small, daily experiences  that have an impact on the way people perceive themselves.

According to research from Byron et al. (2019) shows that LGBTQ+ young people use Tumblr to connect with others based on their common experiences instead of receiving direct advice 💬. In other words, sometimes, it is not about solutions, sometimes, it is about feeling understood 🫶. And honestly, I think that feeling of being understood is probably why so many people stayed attached to Tumblr for years, even when other platforms became more popular 📲.. When people realise they're not alone in how they feel, it changes how they feel about themselves 🌱.

Feminism, Expression and Controlled Spaces ✊ Tumblr also becomes a space where feminist discussions are more visible, especially around issues such as gender inequality ⚖️, harassment and body image. These are the topics that can be difficult to discuss on more popular forums where opinions are likely to be met with criticism or backlash right away.

What makes Tumblr different is how it allows users to control their interaction environment. Users are not forced into a full public debate, but are able to filter their communities and decide what types of interactions they participate in. Keller (2019) describes this as “social privacy”, where users have more control over how visible they want to be online. Therefore, many users, especially young women feel more comfortable to express their views without the same fear they might experience on other platforms. It does not mean that negativity goes away 🚧, but it does imply that people have greater control over their experience of negativity.

The difference about Tumblr is not that there is no conflict but that users can choose how to interact with the conflict. People can create spaces and boundaries rather than being pushed to open and sometimes confrontational discussions. This feeling of control has an impact 🌙, particularly for those who are regularly dismissed or challenged on more mainstream platforms. In this way, Tumblr doesn't remove those difficult conversations, but it creates an environment where they can happen more safely and on the user’s own terms.

References Bianchi, M., Fabbricatore, R., & Caso, D. (2022). Tumblr Facts: Antecedents of Self-Disclosure across Different Social Networking Sites. European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education, 12(9), 1257–1271. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9498212/ Boone, B. (2024, September 4). How Tumblr Works. HowStuffWorks. https://computer.howstuffworks.com/tumblr.htm Byron, P., Robards, B., Hanckel, B., Vivienne, S., & Churchill, B. (2019). “Hey, I’m Having These Experiences”: Tumblr Use and Young People’s Queer (Dis)connections. International Journal of Communication, 13(0), 20. https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/9677/2655 Keller, J. (2019). “Oh, She’s a Tumblr Feminist”: Exploring the Platform Vernacular of Girls’ Social Media Feminisms. Social Media & the Self: An Open Reader. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353107963_Oh_She's_a_Tumblr_Feminist_Exploring_the_Platform_Vernacular_of_Girls'_Social_Media_Feminisms