Dark Side

Social media is a popular and interactive medium to many people, businesses, activists and political groups, but there is a dark side. The dark side of social media is e-extremism, cyberterrorism and cyberbullying these issues can turn a users ‘virtual world’ upside down and cause irreparable damage.

E-extremism is when extremists use the internet to recruit members, promote their cause, reach a worldwide audience and portray an image for their cause. These extremist sites are generally ‘hate’ groups that attempt to persuade readers to join or support their campaign. A content analysis conducted reported the use of links to other groups, non-english content, multimedia content, economic issues, sell merchandise, include membership forms, claim not to be racist and a small amount use content directed at children.  (Seib & Janbek, 2011)

                                                      (outlookafghanistan.net, 2004)

Two main reasons terrorist groups use the internet is to communicate to each other and their followers and to commit cyberterrorism. Communication is essential for the terrorists to execute their plans and to motivate and increase their supporters. Cyberterrorism is using the internet to harm companies, people and property by damaging a website, inserting a virus and information on another user’s website. Terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda use hacking to attack or destroy websites. (Seib & Janbek, 2011)

                                                      (Cyber Bullying Virus, 2013)

 People who spend a lot of time in the ‘virtual community’ become removed from the emotion of the real world. This allows cyberbullies to be verbally crueller to their victim, as the bully has more confidence behind the so called ‘annoniminity’ of the cyber world. The victim on the other hand cannot escape the bully, unless they cease to partake in the online community in which they felt they belong. Traditionally victims of bullying had the opportunity to escape to their home or another safe haven, but as most people have mobile phones or electronic devices the bullying can be relentless. Cyberbullying is not usually pre-meditated, unlike traditional bullying. (Lohmann, 2012) Cyberbullying is more common than traditional bullying, although surveys taken by teenagers reveal that 95% of cyberbullying is meant as a joke and only 5% is intentional. That does not help the person on the other end of the comment. (Gerstenfeld, Grant & Chiang, 2003)

Rheingold’s utopian theory depicts a ‘virtual community’ which is ordered, safe and allows an escape from the ‘real world’. He does indicate there could well be a ‘dark side’, “We temporarily have access to a tool that could bring conviviality and understanding to our lives and might help revitalise the public sphere. The same tool, improperly controlled and wielded, could become an instrument of tyranny” (Rheingold 1993, p14).

 

Reflection:

I have been lucky enough to escape exposure to the ‘dark side’, except for the occasional Facebook post that shows cruelty. This may be because I am not an ‘Avatar’ in a virtual community, therefore limiting my usage. I think there will be little change in the balance between good and bad users in the future, as we are all human and whether in a ‘virtual’ or ‘real’ world  our fundamental values will not change.

Have you seen the ‘dark side’?

This is my last blog in this series. So until we meet again in Cyberspace, go well and stay happy J

Cheers

Sheridan

References:

Gerstenfeld, P. B., Grant, D. R. & Chiang, C.-P., 2003. Hate Online: A Content Analysis of Extremist Internet Sites. Analyses of Social Issues & Public Policy, 3(1), pp. 29-44.

Jenkins, H., 2006. Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century. [Online]
Available at: http://henryjenkins.org/2006/10/confronting_the_challenges_of.html
[Accessed 8 January 2014].
Lohmann, R. C., 2012. Cyberbullying versus Traditional Bullying. [Online]
Available at: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/teen-angst/201205/cyberbullying-versus-traditional-bullying-1
[Accessed 5 february 2014].
Rheingold, H., 1998. The reality of virtual communities. Online edition ed. s.l.:Rheingold.
Seib, P. & Janbek, D. M., 2011. Global Terrorism and New Media. Oxon: Routledge.

 

Are you a Produser?

The word Produser comes from a merging of the terms ‘producer’ meaning creator or developer and user. Podusage is the act of ‘produsing’ loosely meaning creating content for distribution through the internet, eg: blogs, Wikis, gaming and other social media. These Produsers use these mediums to produce new material or characters, or to manipulate content already on sites to enhance their viewpoint for viewing in the public sphere.

 

                                                                (Produsage.org, 2007)

Produsage has four main principles “conditions of probabilistic and equipotential contribution, and granular and shared content”(Produsage.org, 2007).

We can break this down into open participation and communal evaluation which allows produsers to participate in discussions and evaluate the content. Fluid Heterarchy, assumes that users skills, abilities and opinions differ, but all users can make an equal contribution to the content. Ad Hoc Meritocracy means that while there are leaders of the project or sections of it, there leadership is shared or diminished. The leadership is determined through evaluation by other produsers in the ‘virtual community’. (Produsage.org, 2007)

Here is a clip that has been enhanced by a Produser, he has added only music and effects to the original material

 

                                                                 (Black Sun, 2013)

Unfinished Artefacts, Continuing Process this means essentially the project does not finish, but continually evolves through the imput of produsers in the community. While this can produce some negative imput into the project, this is kept to a minimum as the negative posters tend to be looked down upon within the community and their future posts are viewed with cynicism.

Common Property and Individual Rewards enables content to be available to all contributors and although it is a communal project individuals get merit for their contribution.

 

                                                                (Libertarian, 2013)

Produsage is not without legal and moral implications as when information is in the public sphere some produsers assume that it is free to replicate. There are copyright issues that need to be observed when reusing or manipulating other people’s material. Lessig believes that the copyright laws that were written need to be adapted to properly reflect the digital world. (Lessig, 2005)

Produsage fits well with Jenkins views on participatory culture as both encourage collaborating, valuing the works of others and sharing of ideas and information. Jenkins is also an advocate of digital media which is also the medium for produsage. (Jenkins, 2006)

Reflection:

I think produsage will become increasingly popular in the future as it allows like minded and creative people to collaborate on projects that are passionate about. I might even get into it myself.

Are you a produser?

What is your main reason for participating in this culture?

References:

Jenkins, H., 2006. Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century. [Online]
Available at: http://henryjenkins.org/2006/10/confronting_the_challenges_of.html
[Accessed 8 January 2014].

Lessig, L., 2005. Analog copyright laws in a digital world. [Online]
Available at: www.artistshousemusic.org/.../lawrence+lessig+on+analog+copyright+la...
[Accessed 4 February 2014].

Produsage.org, 2007. Produsage: Key Principles. [Online]
Available at: http://produsage.org/node/11
[Accessed 2 February 2014].

Second Life

The use of avatars in consumer society games allows people to become a different person. This is interesting as some people would create an avatar similar to themselves, while others would create a totally different persona. This depends on how the person feels about themselves and their own life.  (Ensslin & Muse, 2011). Baudrillard and Rheingold both have theories relating to virtual communities.

                                                                  (Margram, 2008)

According to Baudrillard hyperreality is “not a reality that exists to separate simulacrum from reality in the real world, but is a distraction from a real world.” (Hawes, 2011). This hyperreality and virtual worlds use imagery and symbols that relate to the real world, enabling the audience to identify with the virtual communities. Baudrillard depicts Disneyland as a reality of imagination and questions whether it or America is the ‘real world’. Interesting thinking, as he questions what is reality? This confusion  it could be argued has crept into the lives of gamers, blurring the lines between ‘real’ and ‘virtual’ worlds. (Modzelewski, 2013) 

                                                Sleeping Beauty Castle - Disneyland

Rheingold’s idea that you can build ‘virtual communities on the net seems to have become a reality to some people. I am unsure whether this ‘network’ society provides an escape or a distraction to the ‘real world’. While Rheingold suggests that ‘virtual’ and ‘real’ worlds can exist side by side. It is uncertain whether the ‘virtual’ world can translate into the organic world by creating communities on belonging. To some committed gamers their ‘virtual’ world becomes their ‘real’ world depriving them of sleep as they need to keep their position and status alive in the virtual ‘world’. (Rheingold, 1998)

There are many people addicted to social media and social games that are actually living two lives; one in the real world and the other in a virtual world. This can create conflict within the person and they often feel more comfortable in the virtual world, as their real identity is anonymous.

                                                           Who do you become?

                                                                  (Icon Packs, 2013)

Reflection:

Personally I don’t play any social consumer games, but I think my avatar would be similar to myself so I could have a glimpse into what would happen in my future if I continued on the same path or what I could change to improve my life.

Would you create an avatar that is similar to yourself, or create a different persona?

Would the virtual and real worlds interact, collide or be totally different?

References:

Ensslin, A. & Muse, E., 2011. The body of the Avatar. In: Creating Second Lives. New York: Routledge, pp. 99-112.

Hawes, D. P., 2011. Discuss Jean Baudrillard's concepts of simulacrum and hyper-reality using one or more literary or cinematic text of your choice. [Online]
Available at: http://www.academia.edu/2609683/Discuss_Jean_Baudrillards_concepts_of_simulacrum_and_hyper-reality_using_one_or_more_literary_or_cinematic_text_of_your_choice
[Accessed 8 January 2014].

Modzelewski, R., 2013. Virtual togetherness sense of identity and community in cyberspace. [Online]
Available at: http://www.crossroads.uwb.edu.pl/virtual-togetherness-sense-of-identity-and-community-in-cyberspace/
[Accessed 8 January 2014].

Rheingold, H., 1998. The reality of virtual communities. Online edition ed. s.l.:Rheingold.

WikiLeaks

Julian Assange is a whistleblower and an activist, his ‘WikiLeaks’ site was set up with the intention of giving the public access about the corruption that goes on in the political arena. While there are countries who consider him a terrorist, it is more a ploy by the government to silence the websites frontman and discredit the website. Arresting Julian Assange was supposed to shut down the ‘Wikileaks’ network, but instead it brought more attention to the site (Kinsman, 2011). If we look at the 'WikiLeaks' Twitter account with over 2, 153,000 followers and growing, t shows that WikiLeaks is far from out of business (WikiLeaks, 2014).

 

                                                              (WikiLeaks, 2006)

Social media is an extension of traditional media, but allows for a faster and wider distribution of information into the public sphere. Dissemination of information and the reduction of government corruption has always been a target of investigative journalists. Social media has become a powerful tool for them to distribute the information on a world wide scale with a click of a button. This is essentially what has occurred on ‘Wikileaks’, they have tapped into the internet to spread the outcome of their investigation to a global audience (Knight, 2010)

                                                                (Assange, 2009)

Wiki leaks supports Jenkins view of participatory culture theory as it encouraged freedom of speech by providing low barriers for expression and engagement (Jenkins, 2006). Julian  Assange was a mentor to others and contributors felt a social connection, most of all they felt their contributions mattered. This is supported by Jenkin’s view on mentorship and social connection (Jenkins, 2006).

This short video demonstrates how storytelling and media allow interaction and freedom of expression. 

                                                                  (Jenkins, 2013)

WikiLeaks will still be around in the future and will continue to influence the political landscape by using activism to incite the public to take action. In the future there will be many more of these sites cropping up, as people are becoming increasingly aware of the power and control governments have within society.

Reflection:

Personally I feel that the public is entitled to information about government corruption. Websites like ‘WikiLeaks’ enable us to be more scrutinising of our politicians and their motives for making policies.

What is your view on ‘WikiLeaks’?

Do political activists change your political views?

 

References:

Kinsman, J., 2011. Truth and consequence: the WikiLeaks saga. [Online]
Available at: http://www.irpp.org/en/po/from-climate-change-to-clean-energy/truth-and-consequence-the-wikileaks-saga/
[Accessed 8 January 2014].

Knight, A., 2010. Wikileaks and investigative journalism. [Online]
Available at: http://alanknight.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/wikileaks-and-investigative-journalism/#more-628
[Accessed 8 January 2014].

WikiLeaks, 2014. WikiLeaks@wikileaks on Twitter. [Online]
Available at: https://mobile.twitter.com/wikileaks
[Accessed 8 January 2014].

Politicians and Social Media

Social media such as Facebook and Twitter have become important strategies in promoting politicians. The Barack Obama campaign was extremely successful in activating followers to get behind the campaign and get Obama elected. Kevin Rudd was one of the first politicians in Australia to use social media, merchandising and online promotions to promote himself and his political views. This strategy assisted him in getting elected in 2007 with the Kevin07 campaign. He again used a similar strategy in 2013, but this time he was unsuccessful. The idea of social media in political campaigns is to make the politicians appear more human and allow them to connect to people in their homes and workplaces. While there was an outpouring of grief over Kevin Rudd’s cat, a lot of the social media was comical or trivial. (Swan & Visentin, 2011)

Here is the Hamster Wheel's take on politics and media

 

 

                                                                (Hamster Wheel, 2011)

To be successful in this arena the politicians need to have charisma, personality and humility. The ability to connect and look good are also required to succeed, they also need to be entertaining if they want to connect with the younger voters, as their primary reasons for  using social media is to be entertained. Older candidates need to think hard about the image they wish to portray to the audience, they need to appear wise, but most importantly connected with the latest trends, as well as wants and needs of the community (Swan & Visentin, 2011).

If you would like a closer look at Kevin’s social media antics visit ruddfactor.com

Riengolds theory on co-operation and connection is evident is these campaigns as they relate to these campaigns aim to turn self interest into collective action. “Central to this class of cooperation-amplifying technologies are eight key clusters, each with distinctive contributions to cooperative strategy. Each of these technology clusters can be viewed not only as a template for design of cooperative systems, but also as tools people can use to tune organizations, projects, processes, and markets for increased cooperation” (Rheingold, 2005). This is essentially the philosophy behind these campaigns. The notion that social media is an amazing tool to incite the audience into action.

 

 

 

Electioneering will change the campaigning strategies in the future, politicians will be able to interact with people via Blogs and social media enabling them to understand what the public wants and adjust their campaign to meet the needs of the voters. Social media also allows them to track followers, ‘Likes’ and views enabling them to estimate the number of followers, before the polls are available.

Reflection:

I believe social media would be used a lot more often in political campaigns, therefore we as consumers, need to decipher the information and determine whether it is genuine or created by the politicians ‘spin doctors’.

Does political campaigning deicide who you vote for, or do you vote for the same party regardless of the leader?

References

Rheingold, H., 2005. Technologies of Cooperation Report. [Online]
Available at: http://rheingold.com/cooperation-notes/
[Accessed 8 January 2014].

Swan, J. & Visentin, L., 2011. Political Heavyweights are online, upfront and in your face. [Online]
Available at: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/political-heavyweights-are-online-upfront-and-in-your-face-20130807-2rgpc.html
[Accessed 8 January 2014].

Digital Activism

Digital Activism is the practice of using technology to be involved in inciting political or social change.

Many people use this medium to gain followers or supporters giving their movement more power and public attention. The virtues of digital activism are gaining more public attention, sharing opinions more widely and uniting and motivating like-minded individuals. The limitations are distraction leading to apathy and control and surveillance on the use of technology and information available.

The two models of digital activism that interest me most are those of Joyce (2011) and Sivitandes and Shah (2011). Joyce’s model is based on the idea that digital activism is both positive and negative with political apathy and political engagement as well as citizen repression and citizen empowerment are all possible.

                                                                   (Joyce, 2011)

Stivitanides and Shah (2011) consider that people’s opinion on digital activism falls into three categories; optimists, pessimists and persistent. The ‘optimists’ view is networks throughout the digital world will equalise the power between those at the top and those at the bottom and secondly the user will be able to create meaning through their chosen medium and therefore create a more egalitarian society. The ‘pessimists’ view is that digital activism allows surveillance and control over citizens. They also believe that hackers and people with undesirable intensions will use this medium for their personal gratification at the detriment of others. The ‘persistent’ view is similar to the pessimist except they believe it will only change within itself, that is it will only change the operation of activism and that the technology is not as effective in promoting real world activism.

Activists such as Adbusters use culture jamming as a means to turn advertising in on itself. They manipulate the system and the campaign to turn people against the companies that they believe are unethical. A successful campaign was Black Spot Shoes which exposed the off shore ‘sweat shops’ used by Nike. Adbusters used the ‘Rethink the Cool’ slogan and they successfully convinced many Nike wearers to switch to ‘Black Spot’ shoes which are an environmentally friendly and ethically produced footwear (Adbusters, 2013).

Here is one of my favourite takes from Wayne’s World. They do a great job of ‘culture jamming’. Enjoy….

                                                          (Waynes World, 2011)

Reflection:

I am not a big consumer and only shop for necessary items and even though the brand is not important, I do like quality. I try to buy environmentally friendly products and ‘free range eggs’. This is because I have seen videos from digital activists on cruelty to chickens, the effects of manufacturing on the environment and how people in third world countries are used for capitalist gains. Christmas is the only time I shop for pleasure, as I enjoy giving gifts.

What type of consumer are you?

If you were a digital activist would you be an optimist, pessimist or persistent?

References:

Adbusters, 2013. Black Spot Shoes. [Online]
Available at: https://www.adbusters.org/campaigns/blackspot
[Accessed 6 January 2014].

Joyce, M., 2011. Complex and Contradictory-A new way to think of digital activism. [Online]
Available at: http://www.meta-activism.org/2011/08/complex-and-contradictory-a-new-way-to-think-of-digital-technologys-effects/
[Accessed 8 January 2014].

Joyce, M., 2011. The proof is in the pendulum: A history of digital activism and repression. [Online]
Available at: http://www.meta-activism.org/2011/09/the-proof-is-in-the-pendulum-a-history-of-digital-activism-and-repression/
[Accessed 8 January 2014].

Srinivasan, N., 2011. Digital Activism: A look back. [Online]
Available at: http://www.meta-activism.org/2011/06/digital-activism-a-look-back/
[Accessed 8 Janurary 2014].

Waynes World, 2011. I will not bow to any sponsor. [Online]
Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjB6r-HDDI0
[Accessed 5 January 2014].

Twitter

Top Ten Tweeters....

Name	Number of Followers	Number Following	Number ofTweets
Katy Perry	47,515,699	127	5,240
Justin Bieber	47,161,094	121,255	24,556
Lady Gaga	40,629,348	135,104	3,887
Barack Obama	40,011,141	655,892	10,388
Taylor Swift	36,917,755	119	2,005
YouTube	36,466,539	538	9,212
Britney Spears	34,228,689	405,967	2,963
Rihanna	32,767,255	985	8,695
Instagram	29,163,423	18	4,435
Justin Timberlake	28,540,816	59	1,986

(Forbes, 2013) (Twitter, 2013)

 (Smith, 2013)

 Tweeters..... 

Twitter is used by celebrities, companies and politicians as a marketing tool to promote their image. Twitter allows them to send a quick 140 character message out to their followers to keep interest high and promote their products, celebrity status or political views. Millions of other people are Twitter users as well, they Tweet about their lives, reply and re-tweet messages. These people are also followers of others and have followers themselves. This intern builds their virtual community and therefore their networks. This is what makes Twitter a valuable tool – you can potentially communicate with millions of people in a matter of seconds. No wonder buying followers is big business!!

Theories....

Rheingold would view Twitter as a tool to use in his virtual community in between being immersed in the ‘WELL’ (World Earth Lectronic Link). Click here to view the ‘WELL’ http://www.well.com/

Rheingold believes more people need to know about the leverage and potential of virtual communities, Twitter is a small segment that allows communication in a virtual community. Interesting as Rheingold predicts those with power and money will control the new virtual communities and media (Rheingold, n.d.), as they have done in the past. This is certainly true for Twitter where people and companies actually buy followers, therefore boosting their status and increasing their community.

According to Jenkins the technology we have such as; mobile devices, social media and other technologies are used as platforms to get our message or story across to other people (Jenkins, 2009). Twitter is part of this platform and as you can see by the Top Ten Twitter uses Barack Obama is number 4. Jenkins also uses Obama as an example in his clip on New Media Landscapes. Click here to view the clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibJaqXVaOaI

 

 (Semiocast, 2012)

Crisis Management....

Twitter is a valuable tool in times of crisis and can be used to alert a community of impending disaster, giving them instructions as the crisis progresses. The United Kingdom has implemented a Twitter news alert service that emergency services can use to alert people when a crisis is in progress. While this is a great idea, there are some problems to iron out such as people posting false messages causing greater panic. The emergency services are using an ‘orange bell’ alert that they are hoping will reduce false messages (Prigg, 2013).

Future....

Twitter will live on in the future, until new innovative medium is launched. It will still be used by dedicated Twitters, but will fade into the background just as MySpace was replaced with Facebook.

Reflection....

Personally I am not a tweeter. Are you? Would you pay for followers if you had a company?

Until next week

Happy Tweeting

Cheers

Sheridan

References

 Forbes, 2013. Top 10 Celebrity Tweeters. [Online] 

Available at: http://www.forbes.com/pictures/lmj45fgfk/lady-gaga-8/
[Accessed 19 November 2013].

Jenkins, H., 2009. The New Media Landscape, s.l.: HCD Media Group.

Prigg, M., 2013. Mail Online. [Online]
Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2509305/Twitter-launches-UK-news-alert-service-tweet-information-times-crisis.html
[Accessed 4 December 2013].

Rheingold, H., n.d. Introduction. In: The Virtual Community. s.l.:Electronic Version.

Semiocast, 2012. Twitter- How much spam is on Twitter. [Online]
Available at: http://leaderswest.com/2012/08/20/twitter-how-prevalent-their-spam-epidemic-may-be/
[Accessed 4 December 2013].

Smith, B., 2013. Twitter Followers/Project TGM. [Online]
Available at: http://projecttgm.com/2013/04/3-reasons-i-may-or-may-not-follow-you-on-twitter/twitter-followers/#lightbox/0/
[Accessed 5 December 2013].

Twitter, 2013. Twitter Counter. [Online]
Available at: http://twittercounter.com/pages/100
[Accessed 18 November 2013].