“Virtual Unreality: Just Because the Internet Told You, How Do You Know It Is True?”
Today, humans believe everything they read on the internet. Wikipedia is the new dictionary. In Charles Seife chapter titled, “Virtual Unreality: Just Because the Internet Told You, How Do You Know It Is True?,” Seife explores the persistence, transmissibility, and the interconnectedness of the internet and the humans who interact with it. Seife began his chapter by comparing the ever changing and unstoppable growth of the internet to a disease titled “Corrupted Blood” found in the computer game World of Warcraft. “Corrupted Blood was a virtual disease in a fantasy world; it was not a physical orgasm, but a collection of bits and bytes that resided on computers. However when the World of Warcraft programmers introduced it -- intending it to be a challenge to high level players fighting in a particular dungeon -- it escaped. The digital plague behaved so much like a real disease that epidemiologists like Fefferman and Lofgren used it as a model for how a real life pathogen spreads throughout a population.” (Pg. 10)
As seen above, in Seife’s chapter, he compares computer diseases to physical diseases describing them as “...At heart a competition around the spread of information; the invading organism attempts to get its own bits and bytes copied and spread around, even as the host attempts to stop the invasion.” (Pg. 14) Seife compares a virtual reality computer game to a deadly disease and by doing so he suggests a much deeper meaning to his audience. Here, I believe he implies that technology needs to be taken with caution as it has the ability to harm our mental, emotional and physical state, as he compares technology to an all encompassing and murderous disease. Throughout history humans have experiences, interacted and received information in a plethora of differing ways. “... Five thousand years ago or so, we humans figured out how to preserve information by setting it down in an external, physical form that could survive long after the demise of the flesh from whence it sprang. Our ideas finally began to transcend time. The printed word (or the chiseled one)-- in clay, in stone, upon papyrus-- made our thoughts persistent enough to survive hundreds or even thousands of years. The birth of the written word was, quite literally, the dawn of history.” (Pg. 16) But humans did not stop at the written word; in the 1960’s came the arrival of the internet. The internet was an entirely new fascination; a new way of thinking; a new way of life; a new world, per say. “Persistence, transmissibility, and interconnectedness were all increased dramatically as the whole world came online. From an epidemiological point of view, the R of information had just gone through the roof… For good and ill, digital information is now the most contagious thing on the planet.” (Pg. 22) With the rise of the internet came the rise of and the explosion of information -- literally bounds and bounds of endless information was accessible at one’s fingertips. On the other hand, the internet also housed a dark side. “[Although] The [stock] market has always fluttered at the slightest rumors, what is new about digital information is the volume of information that flies back and forth between so many people so quickly and so effectively and with so little verification of the facts contained within… “In less than half an hour, the stock had climbed back almost to its previous value -- but not before a lot of money changed hands. A bit of bad information had, in a few minutes, changed people’s perception of the value of a company; and almost as quickly, the misperception disappeared. A worthless piece of information, conjured out of thin air and disguised in just the right way, would end up echoing around the world, had a real financial impact on individual portfolios, and affected the fortunes of a major company.” (Pg. 23) Due to the fact that digital information has such high levels of persistence, transmissibility, and the interconnectedness (called a “high R” level) it is nearly impossible to stop the spread of information once it emerges. Information, whether it is accurate or not, can spread, even to those at a far distance, instantaneously. Additionally, once said information escapes into the wild ether of the internet, it is nearly impossible to cease its spread. Therefore, and to conclude, the internet can be utilized as a wonderful tool as long as the information uploaded to it is accurate and useful. On the other hand, if the information is inaccurate, the internet has the power to alter our brains and our thoughts for the worse, as it can inform individuals of faulty information and make them think, experience and feel incorrect things -- similar to how a disease can make one feel.
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It has always been a goal of mine to create a successful media presence whether that be a website or an Instagram account. To me, I describe a website as "successful" when it is simplistic, functional and aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, when we were assigned to create a website, it was my goal to create a website included these three characteristics. After dedicating time this semester to improve my website (it’s design, it’s accessibility, it’s wording, etc.) I feel I have succeeded at making sure my website encompasses these three character traits. The notions of simplicity and functionality were important to me and my website creation, as I consider myself technologically challenged. Therefore, I felt these three traits were important for a viewer/reader to be able to maneuver and manipulate my website. To complete this, I felt it is important that my website brings it's viewer to a home page and grants them the option of viewing a second page with a drop-down menu consisting of five subheads: blog posts, screening posts, media events, digital essays and projects. Aesthetically, I wanted my website to be captivating to an audience via its usage of bright colors fused together with a limited and a simplistic use of language. Specifically, for my final website completion, I altered the placement of the titles so that a viewer could read the subhead easier. Creating my personal website has reiterated to me the importance of continuous effort. I learned no individual should create a website if he or she feels they will create their final product on their first try. Creating a website not only takes time and patience, but it also takes practice and an understanding of technology and what your audience wants. Overall, I found this process rewarding as now I have a domain where I can debut my work to my friends, peers, colleagues, bosses, etc. In the near future, it is my goal to create a personal website similar to this website I created for our course.
With Thanksgiving approaching it is paramount that individuals are not only thankful for their most recent accomplishments of their year, etc. but that said individuals also take a moment to reflect on their health and well being. I, too, am not excluded from this task. Unfortunately, living in such fast paced, ever changing, technological based world, today, humans like myself, are not taking time to be grateful for their overall health, specifically their five senses and even more specifically, their then access to everyday technology and screens.
Elizabeth Elicessor’s article titled “Key Words for Media Studies: Access,” discusses how certain individuals have more access to technology than others. “Americans with such disabilities (either being deaf and blind) remain significantly less likely to have access to, or use, digital media…With this perspective, ‘watching television’ [becomes a] taken-for-granted activity and becomes a variable assemblage of screens, remote controls, captions, audio descriptions, tablet computers and mobile phones, etc.” Similarly, Elicessor states, “Yet, availability, affordability, and consumer choice were insufficient tools with which to include people with disabilities in the mediated public sphere. For example, without specialized hardware, the availability and affordability of telecommunications were irrelevant to d/Deaf Americans. Similarly, without closed captions or audio descriptions on television, the public interest of d/Deaf or blind viewers was not met.” Prior to reading Elicessor’s article, I can openly admit that I took for granted my overly accessible ways of obtaining media (I consider my access to media "accessible" due to my physical and mental health, my financial and educational status, etc.) After reading this article, my opinion on access to media underwent a paramount shift. On the one hand, in the past, I used to view “access” as a noun. On the other hand, Elicessor's article advises her readers to think about media “access” as a verb. Moving forward, I feel I will now view how I and others “access” media in a much more nondiscriminatory mindset. The title of the “S-Town” podcast says it all. When I first heard about this podcast and the themes it would focus on, I thought “S-Town” would be an abbreviation for “suicide-town.” After listening to more and more of the podcast, I discovered that “S-Town” stands for “Shit Town.” Is the rural town of Woodstock, Alabama really terrible enough to be named “Shit Town?” To me, the setting of “S-Town” as it takes place in such a particular location, stands out throughout the entirety of the podcast. What does this name reveal not only about the state of Alabama, but also about the grander image of the United States as a setting?
In “S-Town,” the setting becomes a particular character. If the real individuals present in “S-Town” had not lived and inhabited Woodstock, Alabama, would these eerie events have ever taken place? One particular reason I feel the setting becomes such a paramount character, per se, is via McLemore’s ongoing rants thought the podcast. McLemore, in great detail, explains his feelings to the listeners on grander topics present in American society and culture, particularly relevant to rural American culture, such as climate change, financial struggles, community figures such as policemen, etc. Additionally, I feel, place such as Woodstock, Alabama, can be considered a bubble — literally feeling like a trap where one can not escape. An inescapable maze. Perhaps, that is why the audience sees and experiences McLemore’s fully flawed, voyeuristic tendencies throughout his character — not only is he trapped physically, but perhaps this physical trap then mentally encapsulates him, as well. Lastly, I find it fascinating that “S-Town” takes place in such a unique setting as the controversy of life after death comes about, as well. A majority of media and film representations of horror scenes, especially deaths, murders and suicides, take place in the rural country, or a setting similar to Woodstock, Alabama. Is this ironic? This then brings about the question of what happens to twisted individuals, such as McLemore, whom die in this particular part of America? Who finds them? Who helps them? Who honors them? Who tells their story? Google feels like my best friend. Anytime I am unsure of something I simply "look it up." From the amount of times I say "Let me look it up!", I know I am dependent upon search engines.
For this research assignment, "Before Google," my classmates and I have been challenged to find an archived object and analyze it as we would have had to do so before the explosion of everyday search engines, like Google. To complete this assignment, I went to the Rose Archival Library, located on the 10th floor of Emory's Woodruff Library, and was automatically directed to a computer housing a computer-generated database. The librarian suggested that I explore this database in order to narrow down what specific archival document(s) I would like to have pulled from their exclusive collection, so I can physically interact with these archives. Although I understand the reasonings as to why doing research on a database could be helpful for someone who is unsure of what they are looking for (like I was), I found it ironic that I had to first interact with a search engine-like system before I could interact with the tangible archival object. Furthermore, once I did find a source of interest to me -- I picked early photographs of Alice Walker -- I then had to go through a "check-out" process on the database. This "check-out" process was extremely prolonged. After selecting a few desired photographs online, I had to turn in identification proof, wait for someone to retrieve the photographs, learn how to interact with the photographs in the "reading room", etc. Once I had access to said few photographs, I also could not take pictures of them. To me, this exercise felt contradictory as I had to go through a database online first. This exercise also reiterates how much more time used to be put into pre-research and research, prior to the advancement of search engines. To conclude, I I want to remind everyone how dependent, reliable and addicted we are not only to our search engines, but also to the instant gratification they provide for us. Without being able to take any photographs of the Alice Walker images, I decided to complete this assignment by photographing my favorite archival object present in their display case. I found an image of an old Emory University student. This image resonated with me the most as she is naturally stunning. I also enjoyed that I and other viewers can see Emory's Glenn Memorial Chapel in the reflection of her sunglasses. The caption next to the image reads: "Emory student looking towards Glenn Memorial Chapel, 1960s". After analyzing this image, I attempted to search this image on Google and to conclude, I could not find it within Google's immediate photo database search. Face-Lift!The first alteration I made was to edit the main image of my website. Although I love the beach and what the grandness of nature symbolizes to me, I feel I am spending more of my time thinking and analyzing contemporary popular culture, especially focusing my attention of fashion, and therefore, I wanted that to appear more obvious in the images I was displaying on my website. I also felt the color's in the first image were too overbearing, almost too "red"; I like the neutral feel of the image I have altered it to. Welcome vs. Welcome, Friends! Secondly, I wanted to make my website appear more friendly and less serious as I do not have as much of my own personal work on my website as I ultimately would like to. I feel the simplest way to achieve this was by adding friendly words, in my titles, such as seen below. Food/Fashion Blogging?Lastly, as I stated above, I felt my website lacked a sense of personality and did not yet capture who I fully am and what my Digital, Media and Cultural goals of the future are. Therefore, I added to my "About Me!" section of my website. I feel it is important for my readers and audience to know where I hope to take this website in the near future -- as I have flirted with the idea of creating a food/fashion blog, ultimately, I hope to translate that dream into a reality in the near future. I feel creating this website for my class is a good trial run for me to see whether or not I can handle and enjoy putting time and effort into creating an online persona for myself.
“Fake news” is a very real and relevant issue occurring in 2017. With the amounts of paper news sources decreasing and with the plethora of online news sources percolating, it now easier for humans to release, manipulate or hack most any online source. So, how can humans now determine what is “real news” verse what is “fake news”? Although text is harder to manipulate on a reliable news source, editing and altering pictures is one of the easiest ways to create fake news online, and therefore, meme’s, although they provide humor, are something to enjoy, but are something to never take to seriously. To complete the meme culture presentation, my group selected this meme: Clearly this picture is an edited picture, and can therefore, be considered “fake news” as President Trump cannot literally stand in front of planet Earth. The image of his face was taken from somewhere else and simply put on this picture where false text was also added. Linguistically, this meme is also classified as “fake news” as the Mexican government cannot physically “force hurricanes into the United States.” I believe this meme is successful because it flirts with humor, while also addressing topics that are relevant in today’s political climate – although fusing together the Mexican government and the hurricanes which have occurred in the U.S., is impossible and unrealistic. Today, the creation of memes can be best described as a release of tension from modern-day political frustrations and therefore, are created to appear similar to older political cartoons. On the one hand, although humans may hear the term “fake news” at least once a day, it is important to seek trustworthy news sources. On the other hand, the use of memes adds some satirical ease into our escalated political climate.
I have always wanted to create a stronger online presence for myself. Ever since I have become active on my differing social media platforms, I have strived to “be better at social media.” But what does it mean for someone to be “good” at social media? Must he or she post a plethora of material? Edit his or her pictures? I, personally, feel I am not the best photographer, writer, editor, creator, etc. so how can I, Hayley Alperin, be good at social media?
After creating and manipulating my own website, I have come to think about DMC a little differently. Creating a personal website has not only allowed me to create a stronger online presence, but it also allows for me to become more creative, express my ideas, and house all of my work in one collection location. By creating my own website, I have also come to understand how much time and effort must be put into maintaining and keeping up with my website, my Linked In, my Facebook account, my Instagram account and my Snapchat account. Not only is it time and effort, but I have also learned about limitations and boundaries. For example, I now know I can only upload certain approved pictures to my website so I do not get targeted for intellectual or creative property theft by simply taking someone else’s picture, even by accident. Creating my own website, I have also struggled to understand my website’s technological functions. I consider myself technologically challenged compared to my friends and peers, and therefore, at times I get frustrated attempting to format my posts, change the font and size of my titles and embed pictures. On the other hand, this aspect is also the most rewarding, as when all of my technical complications are put to rest, I have the ability to view all of my educational and personal work in one combined, online space. Understanding the technological aspect of DMC also provides me with a greater sense of gratitude for the individuals who create and manipulate these platforms to begin with. (350 Words.) Formatting / Cleaning UpAs of now, I want to continue to primarily utilize this website for my Digital Media and Culture class and draw on this time as an opportunity for me to expand my online identity. Therefore, the goal for my first website revision was to simply "tidy-up" my website. To do so, I first examined my website and realized where my gaps lay. First, I looked at my Home page and realized that my "About Me!" section was missing information. Therefore, I added a paragraph of information I feel is important while describing myself. Second, I then went through my "Digital Media and Culture" tabs and edited some of my formatting to make these sections of my website appear more cohesive. The biggest thing for me to work on is making sure all of my titles remain uniform. To do so, I edited titles in my sub-section, "Screening Posts." Lastly, I noticed that two of my sub-sections, "Media Events" and "Projects" did not have any material, text or images yet. I added: "To Come Soon!" so that my viewers know that I am aware of these blank spaces.
In 2015, Dr. Kristin Lieb, an Associate Professor of Marketing Communication at Emerson College, gave a TedX talk in Somerville, Massachusetts, where she explains that successful females in the popular culture and music world, of today, must fit into one of twelve differing categories. Some of these categories, or boxes, Dr. Lieb claims society places female pop-stars in are: “The Good girl”, “The Temptress”, “The Diva”, “The Hot Mess”, “The Provocateur,” etc. Dr. Lieb continues by stating that it is hard for any individual to remain in “one box” as humans are constantly evolving and changing. Yet, as we discussed and as I continue to ponder post class, how come females must fit into a single box? How come they cannot portray a little amalgamation of all of the above? Why is this only the case for women popular artists, and not for male popular artists? After analyzing Dr. Lieb’s theory, Dr. Solomon provided my class with the example of Christina Aguilera, and later questioned us to think if and which “box” or “bubble” she fits into. After examining Aguilera’s famous “What A Girl Wants” song, lyrics and music video, I believe, at least at this stage in Aguilera’s career, that she would have fit into the “Temptress” box. To begin, the definition of a “Temptress” is: “a woman who tempts someone to do something, typically a sexually attractive woman who sets out to allure or seduce someone.” Aguilera performs being a “temptress” as she begins her music video by walking a male over to a chair seductively, pushes him into the chair and whispers to him, “I got something for you.” After she does this, she then proceeds to perform all throughout her music video. Christina’s seductive dancing, her revealing costume – she wears a light blue belly shirt – and by the camera focusing on her face and lips, the audience pieces together that, here, she is attempting to allure this male. It is in the closing “scene” of the music video where the audience can realize that after Christina’s successful performance, she ends up intimately dancing with this male. Additionally, throughout the music video, as Christina and her back-up singers, all women, are performing, the viewer witness shots of the main male character and his male friends implementing their gaze upon these women. All of these clues lead up to me believing that she can be categorized as a “temptress.” On another analytical level, the lyrics in Aguilera’s “What A Girl Wants” says it all. In the chorus of this song, she sings: “Whatever makes me happy sets you free, and I am thanking you for knowing exactly what a girl wants, what a girl needs.” In this single lyric, not only does the female claim that the woman “sets the man free” and not herself free, but she also then continues to thank the male for “knowing what she wants and needs.” I believe these “needs and wants” can be thought of on a mental, emotional, physical and sexual level. Therefore, although this music video consists and features predominantly females, I believe this video was produced and filmed for the desires of males.
The “What a Girl Wants” music video’s YouTube page has 27,242,557 views and 5,676 comments. One comment reads: “U know she is singing about the D right?” Here, this comment claims that although some women may have felt that this song was inciting female sexual liberation, this song, was in fact doing the opposite; it was thanking males for their sexuality and therefore, for their sexual mastery with women. |
Hayley AlperinSenior at Emory University, Media Studies major, Archives |
Photo used under Creative Commons from IQRemix