Category Archives: Research

My Digital Reflection

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Starting out in this course I really did not know what to expect. Starting out with the first few readings I had a hard time getting through them just because I did not fully understand the concepts they were explaining. However when we were told about the blog and the key terms that a person would individually research and post on the blog the readings got easier and more understandable. Also when we would discuss them in class it was like the pieces came together. The first few readings and concepts I found a little dry too and hard to focus on to absorb all the information, but as we got deeper into the course the more interesting things became. It was interesting to study memes and to realize and learn that memes are not just silly pictures and words combined but there’s an algorithm behind making them, and that the word meme is not just those but anything that is a running idea or imitation which could be a uniform religion or even something as simple as chairs. I would of never thought deeply enough into the subject to learn how different the word is to what I thought it was, and I didn’t know that it could be put under that big question of “what isn’t a meme?” just like the question “what isn’t science?”

Then there was Google. I learned a lot about Google because I was on the Google team. We heard so many negatives about the mega corporation, especially from Vaidhyanathan. Even so I am still a Google supporter. I love Google. The very serious issues Google could cause are future issues, but in the present it’s a great creation. Just as my group says, we just need to be wary for the possibility of Google in the future, since it is so relied on and has so much of our information. At the moment though Google is great! It’s like one of my best digital friends. Learning about Youtube, one of Google’s many bought-out services, was not as interesting as the other topics afterwards. What we learned about Youtube and it’s “Youtubers” did not interest me as much.

When we got to video games I loved learning about them, probably because I hold such a great interest and love for video games. I thought it interesting to hear about gender and racial problems that happen in video games. When I play it is usually just my friends teasing me and they usually call me a little boy because apparently that’s what I sound like over the microphone, but I just find it funny. Of course I usually never talk in public because I’m shyer around new players; maybe it’s because I think I’ll be made fun of for being a girl. I also loved watching the web series, I watched all of Awkward Black Girl just because I enjoyed watching it so much. I was upset when it was over. It was witty and called attention to racial stereotypes without being very serious or offending about it. I’m happy and excited for the Issa Rae television show coming out. She deserves to be on the big(ger) screen.

 

This course was very interesting and made me think about things I haven’t put much thought into. Class was long but it went by so quickly because of the content of the course just intriguing along with the discussions in the course. It was a great course and I am sad it’s over!

My Digital Reflection

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As I plan to reflect in our team paper, this class has greatly influenced the way I immerse myself in new media. I have not withdrawn myself from digital media nor altered any of my interactions with new media, but I am more aware of how the world is represented to me via media and, reversely, how I am represented to the world via media (social media in particular.)

The relationship between this class and new media reminds me of the quote: “Fish don’t know they’re in water until they’re taken out of water.” I didn’t realize how heavily skewed representations of gender and sexuality are in new media until I was granted access to the readings and discussions relevant to this course. Previous to this course, when I flicked through magazine advertisements I glanced at them without much thought (except perhaps, Wow I wish I looked like her or Wow I wish I could afford that purse.) Now, however, my perception of these advertisements (and other forms of advertising as well, this is not limited to just magazine/paper ads) has completely morphed. This course has equipped me with the tools necessary to analyze just how disturbing contemporary advertising in new media can be. For example, take the Dolce & Gabbana advertisement below:

docle
This SCREAMS of issues relating to gender and sexuality in new media that we’ve discussed throughout this semester. First of all, hello hypersexuality of both the male and female form. Do regular human beings walk around this scantily clad, fit, and dripping in oil? I wasn’t aware (sarcasm.) Second of all, to me this looks like a rape scene. One woman is being pinned to the ground by a man while a bunch of male onlookers stare admirably, perhaps waiting their own turns. Before taking this class, I would have just flicked by this ad without a care in the world. Now I analyze it for what it truly is: an artifact primarily relating to objectification of the female gender taking place in new media.

As I said before, this class has not only informed me of aspects of new media that I am more unfamiliar with (such as topics of gender and sexuality in video games, example: Assassin’s Creed Freedom Cry) but it has also gone beyond the series of the digital culture I once thought I knew but clearly do not. I now question my digital life, as demonstrated in my battle with the Dolce & Gabbana advertisement above. I’m not sure if that is a good or bad thing…

The assignments in this class were never tedious nor boring nor uninformative. Literally every reading/in-class discussion we’ve done has informed how I think about digital culture. As I grew up with digital technology, (it advanced as I advanced and vice versa), I take it all for granted. Although I likely still take new media for granted as it is so deeply ingrained in my life (twitter addict!!), I am very confident that I am better equipped to analyze gender and sexuality misrepresentations and problems in new media because of this semester.

John Sanders — My Final Thoughts

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I had no idea what I was in for when I came to this class. No, that isn’t true — I THOUGHT it was going to be focused on new media (web-series, hypertext, and my beloved video games) in comparison to other traditional media, to theoretically locate the new technology in relation to the old. I would have loved a class like that, especially since I’m into philosophy, genre, and media in general.

k12_1

[Fight! Fight! Fight!]

What I got wasn’t what I expected, of course — a team-based, socially aware course focusing on the issues surrounding race, gender and New Media. It wasn’t what I expected, but it was a wonderful experience all the same. In fact, I’d say it was all the better because it WASN’T what I expected. All we’ve touched on — the definition of new media, television and postmodern media theory, and the scary role that Google has in our lives — have challenged my original views and sense of security in my knowledge and beliefs. It has expanded my knowledge base and range of perspectives, something essential for my academic career going forward (and, in many cases, just good for me as a human being.)

(Like this, except perhaps less dramatic)

Our project on Google and the Academy has been particularly eye-opening. The thing that got me most was the idea of search tracking and filter bubbles. It’s not that I’m worried about the government getting my information or detest ads, really — the biggest thing is that Google thinks it knows what I want to hear, and shows me that. I know what I want to hear, but I don’t know what I DON’T want to hear — the search items that will challenge me and force me to expand my viewpoint. I think, because of this, I am going to try to switch to DuckDuckGo for a while as my primary search engine.

(The duck’s name is Dax, by the way. It’s great to have a Mascot!)

Since it doesn’t track, I’ll get very different results. Now, that may end up to be no different than Google, better than Google, or perhaps even worse. Whatever comes of it, however, I want to give it a try. The last thing I want is to remain too comfortable in my beliefs, to get fat and lazy upon my indulgent pieces of knowledge. I want to remain curious, discover all there is to see in this realm of new media, and always remain on the edge of my comfort zone. I know I have to be vigilant about this, too, because it’s all too easy to lean on the familiarity of a search bar.

download (1)

(Ironically, that’s exactly how I found this stock photo.)

 

Individual Digital Reflection

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The main thing I am taking away from this class is a deeper understanding of new media, and the ability to analyze media in a way I never have before.  Prior to this class, I took new media at face value.  I considered the internet, laptops, tablets and smart phones to be new media, and never really took into consideration even the content that these devices make available.  Even when I would look at content on the internet, I would take it at face value, and never delve into the deeper meanings that content can have.  Now I know that many aspects of new media showcase problems that are prevalent throughout our society.  Certain types of new media have given people an outlet to express feelings and thoughts that would often remain unspoken if they were saying them face to face to a group of people.  Although sometimes this can be good, and help people work through emotions, like crisis memes allowing people to work through their feelings about tragedies, often they can be dark and show a deeper problem within our society.  The racist and sexist comments of some gamers is a prime example of this.  Because these people see themselves as anonymous, they say disgusting things that they would most likely never say to a person face to face.  New media has given us a way to express good feelings and reach out and help others, but it also showcases the deeper problems in our society as a whole.  People who claim that racism and sexism no longer exist should simply browse the comments on a Youtube video to see exactly how prevalent these issues still are.

My group project on Google and the academy has also taught me a lot throughout this course.  I have never really thought to question Google before, it was always there, always a useful tool.  I never had reason to believe that we should see it as anything but a useful tool before now.  While I do not think that Google is going to become an evil dictator and take over the world, I think it is important to understand the issues surrounding Google, and the possibility for corruption, even if it has yet to occur.  I also think that the fact that so few people are informed about Google and their issues like data mining and their control on knowledge is a little scary, and we should work to keep informed and keep others informed about Google and other companies like it, to keep them from possibly abusing their power in the future.

Overall, this class has opened my eyes to a new media culture that I am a part of, but had never really considered before.  I took for granted a lot of the new media that I use, and never bothered to look at any deeper issues within new media.  I think now, with the knowledge I have gained, I will be able to be informed about new media and how it effects me and those around me.

Reflecting Digital: A Digital Reflection

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I’m a cable lover. In fact, I just ordered cable service for my new apartment next year. It’s not that I love cable programming. It’s the convenience that cable provides. I sit down, click that “on” button, and relax. There is no searching for shows online or video buffering. My entertainment is there whenever I need it.

Choosing from this:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyLatih2HwA[/youtube]

versus this:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPnufnUeeLI[/youtube]

I typically did not prefer the latter.

Before taking “Race, Gender and New Media,” this was pretty much my outlook. For me, it was cable or nothing unless I missed a show on television that I really wanted to see. It’s not like the course makes me feel differently about having cable, but it did give me perspectives. There are other entertainment sources. There is new media, and Google is not the consumer’s best friend.

As a computer science major, it isn’t too often that I can find pleasure in using the computer. I do so enough for work. But as we transition more into the digital era, it is only inevitable that television follows suit. Is cable really just a thing of the past? As I dialed up AT&T ready to make my service purchase, I hesitated. New media had gotten under my skin (as did the suspected AT&T price tag), and I second-guessed myself.  After understanding the value YouTube offers, and the passion web series creators put into their series, I felt this sudden impulse to put down the phone, invest only in Internet, and show the support I knew I should for these emerging medias. I knew that web series could suffice my entertainment needs, and it didn’t hurt that they were good too – just maybe too short! However, something about the computer as both work and play did not sit well for me.  I ended up getting both — the best cable and Internet package that my budget could allow.

In thinking about my hesitation, it wasn’t that much of a surprise to me because I enjoyed these new medias we discussed in class. With the topics discussed in “Race, Gender and New Media,” I can understand my connection with the material. I can now understand how race and gender can play such a grave role in media enjoyment. The web series my group researched were great because I related to a few of them. Being both a female and a minority, I can understand the want for content that appeals to both my gender and culture. I had never really put much thought into that before. Although, I grew up as a gamer with the latest systems, and I’ve watched a lot of television in my life thus far, I never strived for better content or representation – for less hypersexualization or gender and race neutrality. I never noticed a problem. As I leave the course, I am coming out with a greater awareness of these representation problems. Although, I’m still stuck with old technology and cable programming for now, the hesitation is a good sign that being a cord-cutter, a person without cable, is imminent. The hesitation is a good sign that I’ve taken something valuable from the course.

 

Individual Digital Reflection

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In time I spent in this class, I came to realize that there was more then meets the eye when it came to New Media, and all of it’s various forms. More so than just websites, these were communities, with their own culture. This realization hit me in the very beginning, when we were talking about memes. While a cat meme that says “I Haz Cheezburger” may seem like any old thing you would find mindlessly surfing the web, a meme is so, so much more than that. It’s simply anything than can be replicated. Memes are everywhere, anything from a table to a style of clothing or the hairstyle on one’s head. In essence, memes are everywhere. When understanding that there was so much depth in such a small little thing is really when this class started to catch my imagination.

Being an avid watcher of YouTube, I was naturally very excited when we got to the YouTube unit. As I hoped, we discussed what it was like to be a YouTuber, to be a part of that community, and why or why not it could be perceived as a real job. After all, people do make real money from it. Considering that this, to me, is one of the most exciting facets of New Media, this was a very interesting discussion. Is YouTube the new television? Much like any sort of TV show, subscribers tune in to see their favorite personalities whenever they upload a new video. Understanding this transition of New Media was fascinating for me. It seems that the digital age has so entirely changed the world, and in regards to YouTube, it has definitely impacted the way entertainment is watched by the masses. Yes, of course, TV is still an option, and many people still watch it, but is it as popular as it once was? I distinctly remember the discussion we had when Professor Russworm told the class that she no longer had cable anymore. A Media teacher, no less. I realized then, “isn’t that simply a sign of the times?” When you can watch TV shows on such platforms like Netflix or Amazon, why pay 90 dollars for a cable package? It seems that the Internet is indeed taking over, changing entertainment one person at a time, and that discussion sticks out in my mind as the moment when I truly realized that.

Of course, Race and Gender was a large component what we learned  this semester as well. I was very excited to see that Lara Croft: Tomb Raider was going to be of the subjects to be learned, and I was not disappointed. One of the most interesting aspects of the discussion was comparing the old Lara Croft to to the Lara Croft from the 2013 game. Hypersexuality was decreased immensely in the 2013 game, much to the combined amusement and happiness of myself. I began to hope that maybe sexism is decreasing slowly, thanks to a more socially conscious and interconnected world. This may very well be the case, and it certainly was for Miss Lara Croft.

So to reflect: What did I truly learn from this class? In short, the digital world is a whole lot bigger than people might think. There are layers and nuances to this New Media Age that we’ve only scratched the surface on. I’m excited to grow up in a world that is changing so drastically technologically, and this class certainly opened up my eyes to that reality.

Public-Purpose Media

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Public-purpose media is the idea that one creates something for the audience and contributes to society. In regards to the web series, creators hope viewers can find themselves in their series and discuss certain circumstances like issues with sexuality and race. Many creators who follow the idea of public-purpose media purposefully discuss complex social issues that major networks don’t address so the viewer can have something to relate to. An example of a company that is inspired by the idea of public-purpose media is the Public Internet Channel (www.pic.tv). In their “About” section, they describe their content as “videos and tools to help you live a better life”.  Public-purpose media is a shift in the way we view television, and we can only hope that this trend will continue to grow.

Christine Acham, “Blacks in the Future: Braving the Frontier of the Web Series” in Watching While Black: Centering the Television of Black Audiences

 Image: http://www.lawritersgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/web-series.jpg

Black Webtopia

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The “Black Webtopia” is an idea that is supported by the many web series that discuss social issues within the Black community that aren’t addressed in mainstream media. The web is home to these “consistent Black narratives” (73), and while this is great, those involved with making contributions to this “Black Webtopia” face downsides as well. Web series often have trouble getting a substantial audience and proper funding which  results in many series having to cancel their production. However, many creators keep contributing to the “webtopia” and it will continue to grow as the web series format gains popularity and creators are inspired by the freedom to create their own series for a specific audience.

 

Christine Acham, “Blacks in the Future: Braving the Frontier of the Web Series” in Watching While Black: Centering the Television of Black Audiences

 digital_utopia

 

http://ww2.hdnux.com/photos/12/05/47/2644469/6/628×471.jpg

Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation

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Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation is a game released in 2012 for the Playstation Vita portable handheld device. The game features Aveline de Grandpre as its protagonist, a young woman of French and African descent, and is set in New Orleans in the years leading up to the American Revolutionary War. Aveline is a unique protagonist as few games feature a singular female or black protagonist. Upon release, AC:L received mixed to positive reviews, currently holding a 70 on Metacritic (http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-vita/assassins-creed-iii-liberation). The game was praised for its portrayal of race relations in the time period and Aveline was a well-received character. Unfortunately, the game mechanics, while praised as well made, proved to be a hindrance more often than not, with reviewers complaining that too much time was spent in the restrictive “Lady” persona.

The game mechanics are a very important element of the game’s portrayal of race and gender in the time period. The game lets Aveline “adopt personas that give her varying abilities and constraints. The ‘lady’, who dresses and acts like the wealthy free woman that Aveline is, can fool men by charming them… but she can’t climb building and is weak in a fight… The slave can infiltrate areas under cover of labor. And the assassin persona is, well, less concerned with the historical basis of double consciousness.” (Suellentrop)

Works referenced:

     Chris Suellentrop, “Slavery as New Focus for a Game: Assassin’s Creed Liberation”

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/28/arts/video-games/assassins-creed-liberation-examines-colonial-blacks.html?_r=0

Integration

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The level to which female gamers are able to reconcile gaming with the rest of their lives.   The level of integration can be seen in terms of the ability of the gamer to accept the hostility towards women within games or gaming culture.  “Power gamers” have a tendency to integrate technology and their gender better than “moderate gamers”, for whom there must be a more careful negotiation.  Non-gamers reject gaming technology completely and assert themselves in ways that are more traditionally feminine.

 

Damsel in Distress

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“Damsel in Distress” comes from the French saying “Demoiselle en detresse” where demoiselle means “young lady” and “en detresse” means anxiety and despair which is caused by abandonment and danger. The “Damsel in Distress” trope has been around for hundreds of years, traced back to the story Perseus rescuing his princess Andromeda. Since then it has been perpetuated through books, movies, and most recently video games. Beginning with the creator of Nintendo, Shigeru Miyamoto who also created the game Donkey Kong which eventually lead to the creation of the Mario franchise. In these games Princess Peach is the stereotypical “Damsel in Distress” who gets kidnapped in 13 of the 14 main games. To be a “Damsel in Distress” a character does not necessarily have to be weak of powerless but but must be reduced to helplessness and needs to be rescued by the main protagonist for the benefit of his story arch. This is objectifying because the woman is being acted upon used as a prop in the hero and villian’s battle. There is also the disempowerment of the female which leads to the empowerment of the male main character. When the damsel gets kidnapped she is unable to rescue herself; whereas if the hero gets kidnapped he escapes to showcase his own abilities. Also the damsel’s imprisonment is seen as a trial for the hero to overcome. She might not be a “Damsel in Distress” from start to finish. She may be a helpful damsel who sometimes offers hints or assistance.

 

Source: Feminist Frequency Damsel in Distress Part 1

Hypersexualization

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Hypersexualization:

Games present an alternate reality in which its participants can challenge gender norms while allowing users greater control and freedom. Female avatars in modern games have more recently become solely employed to fulfill male ‘fantasies’;  however by sexualizing female avatars, some women were motivated to create a strong and sexy character. For instance, in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (especially the original games), Lara is deeply hypersexualized due to the focus on her prominent breasts – which has now become almost her claim to fame. Hypersexualization simultaneously sexualizes a character, while also brings down it’s humanist character by also being something to merely stare at.