Digital Activism

(DigiActive Research Series, July 2009 p.2 )

When first coming across the term of digital activism just recently it first sparked to me how each and every one of us have been involved within it. Individuals access the internet and social networking sites to effectively organize/raise awareness, spread messages, achieve goals, promote or vigorously be part of a cause.  The context of digital activism is based upon the digital network  of there being ‘an interconnected group of devices that transmits information. It is used for economic, social and political purposes for active campaigns. (Joyce, M, 2010 p.2)

 For instance if you go on a Face book page, or a website and see an advertised network . The particular advert  or cause has a  purpose involving the individual to be informed of the cause and be in contact with other participants. A specific time that I was part of digital activism,  was many years ago when supporting my sister who took part of a cause called “Oxfam Trailwalker or Oxfam Australia which is a campaign based on raising funds to help overcome poverty and injustice. My sister had to train long hours to be able to walk 100km within 48 hours of Australian Bush with a group of four. I showed my support by sponsoring via the website provided of her teams page.  The use of face book groups and pages   allowed to spread word about this cause (e.g of being an act of activism)!

However there’s more to digital activism then meets the eye. Yes, it may be used as means of raising awareness for specific causes and goals but these days media technologies are sometimes engaging in risky activities and using it in ways that aren't right. Culture jamming is a term that takes form of activism that involves particular media or advertising media to be altered upon governments, corporations, or individuals. (Sewell, D, 2003). Culture Jamming is based ‘’on re-representing logos (or signs) that conjure the brand with new and conflicting representations’’. (Brown, P, 2009 p.1).

In today’s society we have all become part of a social and political movement that we want to see change in. We have become discontented upon the control politicians, corporations and capitalism have had upon our society. To express alternative forms of opinion upon the consumerism world we have used different forms of media to express alternating opinions through, ‘’internet, posters, billboards, personal t-shirts’’. (Fitzgerald, Br &  O'Brien, D ,2005’ p.14) 

Cultural critic and media theories Mark Dery views Culture Jamming as a ‘’desperate project of

reconstructing meaning, or at least reclaiming that notion from marketing

departments and P.R. firms, requires visually-literate Ghostbusters.” (Lamb, A, 2003,p.9)

He also states Culture jamming ''will alter the way we live

and think. It will change the way information flows, the way

institutions wield power, the way TV stations are run, the way the

food, fashion, automobile, sports, music, and culture industries

pop will eat itself-culture jamming. it will change the way we interact with the

mass media and the way meaning is produced in our society. (Lamb, A, 2003 p.10)

The world of social media is constantly developing and will continue to be a surprise for us all.

References

1.            DigiActive Research Series, July 2009, Digital Activism Survey Report 2009, DigiActive Research Series  viewed 17 December 2012 <akgul.bilkent.edu.tr/DigitalActivisim-SurveyReport2009.pdf>

2.            Joyce, M, 2010, ‘Digital Activism Decoded The New Mechanics of Change’, International Debate Education Association,  New York,

3.            Sewell, D, 2003,  ‘Culture Jammers’, Historic Houses Trust, viewed 19 December 2012, http://www.hht.net.au/whats_on/past_exhibitions/mos/culture_jammers

4.             Brown, P, 2009, ’ The Failure of Culture Jamming: Reisistance in a Postsocial Worldmore’ Academia.edu,  viewed on 19 December 2012, http://www.academia.edu/305213/The_Failure_of_Culture_Jamming_Reisistance_in_a_Postsocial_World

5.             Lamb, A, 2003, “Pop Will Eat Itself: Culture Jamming and the Battle Over Corporate Media Control’, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, United States.

6.            Fitzgerald, Br &  O'Brien, D ,2005’ Digital Sampling and Culture Jamming in a Remix World: What Does the Law Allow, .Copyright 2005,  University of Melbourne Law School, viewed on 19 December 2012, < eprints.qut.edu.au/3687/1/3687.pdf>

Tweet Tweet!

I'm sure you know that sound when a group of birds chatter chat on a daily basis by using their high pitched chirps.  They vocalize in communication through ‘’tweeting’’ , which us humans do not quite understand.  In the social media world we call this Twitter. This is a phenomenal micro blogging and social networking site launched in 2006 to allow people to stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing? (Kirchher, J , 2010-2011 p.4).

However these days , this micro blogging website is also used extensively  in the world of politics. Especially in the lead up to elections politicians and parties take great advantage of using this to mobilize supporters.  For e.g  The US presidential campaign for Barrack Obama  established Twitter along with other forms of social media to support his political campaign . Many analysts say that Obama’s victory was attributed to a large extent to using this online strategy. Obama used Twitter to let the web community know about his personal feelings upon his victory  in 2008 quoting ‘’This is History”. This example demonstrates how Twitter has become a legitimate communication tool in the political field.  (Technische Universität München, 2010, p.1)

In the world of poltics, Twitter has been used as a platform to receive deliberation. Voting preferences, election polls, candiate profiles, spreading poltical opinion and discussing opnions are many of the uses.  Adam Sharp, the senior manager of government, news and social innovation at Twitter, talks about how political campaigns are using the micro-blogging service to get quick reactions to their messages and directly engage their opponent. (Reuters TV, 2012)

He is talking about how candidates are using Twitter as an additional signal in measuring public reaction to process statements and specific events. E.g A United States channel called Fox News was airing a specific debate in North Carolina where users were given the opportunity to tweet to show their reactions. After the debates candidates  and staff were interested in looking at this data and understanding viewers reactions. Before this form of social media existed  candidates would have to wait for at least days to check this type of data. Twitter has shifted the way in which you hear news within 24hrs to now making it instant within a 140 word limit. Before all of this,  the process in which  viewers would find out what was happening would consist of :

1)       Something happening

2)       There would be time for the press to discuss it

3)       Reporters would write the story

4)       It would get edited and then printed

Now users have direct access to reading primary source information within the journalism context. There’s evaluation between parties, allowing politicians to also engage in dialogue. (Reuters TV, 2012)          

Now doesn’t that sound influential or what?

Personally not owning a Twitter account, reading more and more content about  why millions of people are using it worldwide is definitely an eye-opener.

Howard Rheingold one of the leading theories on cyberspace states that ‘’Twitter is not a community, it’s an ecology in which communities can emerge. That’s where the banal chit-chat comes in: idle talk about news, weather, and sports is a kind of social glue that can adhere the networks of trust…..community and social capital can grow’’ (Rheingold H, 2012).

He recalls to use Twitter for the following reasons:

• Search for information on topics of interest (twitter users use a #hashtag to enable them to look at specific topics and events e.g. political arguments, gossip, scientific info , poetry, news, scholarly references , etc
•  To meet people- connecting with people who share the same interests.
• To self promote, socialize and answering questions.

What I see for the future of Twitter is that its going to keep on evolving as a communication tool. People love using it as their lifeline and as their news service.  It means a lot to a lot of people and whatever the future brings upon it will be just as exciting as it is now.

Nina :) 

References

1.       Kirchher, J , 2010-2011, ‘ Twitter and Poltical Communication: Conceptualization and Empirical Findings’, Grin Verlag, Germany.

2.       Technische Universität München, 2010, ‘Predicting Elections with Twitter: What 140 Characters Reveal about Poltical Sentiment, Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, viewed 7 Decemeber 2012.

3.       Reuters TV, 2012, ‘How Twitter is reshaping poltics, instantaneously- Tech Tonic’ , Viewed 7 December 2012, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDkHdYi6mRM>.

4.       Rheingold H, 2012, ‘Twitter Literacy’, SF Gate, viewed 7 December 2012, < <http://blog.sfgate.com/rheingold/2009/05/11/twitter-literacy-i-refuse-to-make-up-a-twittery-name-for-it/>

 

Mobile Devices!

Mobile Phones invented in 1977 have replaced traditional means of communication. They have become part of our personal and professional lives.  My device consisting of the Iphone4 is attached to me 24/7, but the question is why is it always with me?  Some e.g include:

•   having access on several social networking systems  i.e Instagram
  
•    able to listen to  music wherever I am and whenever I please.
• the ability to send short text messages  without having to call (whilst running late!).
  

Those a just a few of the many examples as to how one cannot live without their prodigious  device! This week my class discussed how mobile devices are making us become cyborgs, the social implications of mobile technology and some theorists who have commented about these implications (as well as some extra  personal research.

Firstly, the question is  what are CYBORGS? William Mitchell (professor of architecture) quotes  “ ''Cyborgs designate an organism , which is a mixture of organic and synthetic parts so designed to enhance its ability via technology.’’   (Thomson 2007). A quote from theorist Howard Rheingold supports this testimony ''In 2001, Mitchell noted the use of mobile telephones to facilitate swarming people who “rely on their electronics to deliver relevant information at the right moment, and tell them what they will find, when they get there”. (Rheingold, H, 2002 p. 207).  In MY words ; cyborgs are individuals who constantly stay connected to their mobile phones, always attached to their devices regardless of where they are or what situation they are into. Whether I am off walking in the street, driving or strutting about through a public place it wouldn't be normal” to not see at least one individual checking out their phone!  An interesting article that categorizes three types of tribes formed from mobile device behaviors consist of:  (The Independent 2011).

1.   Cyborgs- A study conducted from a social anthropologist named Massimiliano stated that people who are becoming cyborgs use their mobiles to “embrace connectivity in all aspects of their life, including professional and personal spheres, across all devices and places”.   
   
2. Centaurs-  people who have mobile phones for personal, technological and professional use, and make heavier use of text messaging.
   
3.  Space-cowboys- people who often switch devices and providers for personal advantage rather than connecting socially.  (The Independent 2011).
   
   

From that explanation alone it depicts that by spending more and more time with this sort of technology , our lives are really transforming in ways like never before. We aren’t thinking like we used too. Cyborg technology has taken OVER! Ingrid Richardson- Australian Lecturer from Murdoch University;  quotes  ‘’Portable media devices and ‘wearable’ communications technologies are becoming both increasingly ubiquitous and personalised, penetrating and transforming everyday cultural practices and spaces, and further disrupting distinctions between private and public, ready-to-hand and telepresent interaction, actual and virtual environments.’’  (Richardson, R 2005)  .

 
Now moving along to

  The Social implications of mobile technology

 Mobile phones have empowered the way in which communication can be exchanged between individuals who can speak at any time or anywhere without the need to be present in a specific place. These devices that are attached to us like glue also possess deceitful traits. Psychologist  and socialist Sherry Turkle studies how technology has shaped modern relationships, with others and ourselves in it. In her talk on TEDTALK  she quotes  (Ted 2012,)

1.   ‘’We expect more from technology & less from each other’’. Most of us turn to use our gadgets in times of loneliness ‘’we turn to technology to help us feel connected, in ways we can comfortably control’’. As a result the repercussions of this involve us having a constant fear to express ourselves as well as lacking necessary skills to have a physical conversation with someone (predominately an issue for teenagers). 
   Although mobile devices provide many convenient features, it has caused people to become lazier and become mentally distracted these days. Your own mind shifts from reality. How many times have you had to undertake an important task,  but get deemed into temptation too text. The clock is ticking and your still sitting twiddling your thumbs waiting for that reply, or your just simply enjoying a fancy social session. But then you realize that all  that valuable time has been WASTED resulting in panic. 
   

  Switzerland socialist-  Hans Geser also identifies some specific impacts that mobile phones  have upon the social structure. Examples: (Geser, H 2004).

1. Mobile phones enable individuals to be secure about who they communicate with i.e close friends and family.  ‘’circles of established friendships can be deepened because a higher density of communication  within such circles can be maintained: - irrespective of time and place’’ : (Geser, H 2004). People also have the ability to control the way in which they decide to express closeness or distance for communication.
   
2. They enable the process of ‘’planning’’ and replanning  of events to be quicker. This ‘’ allows people to adapt to unpredictable short-term changes in circumstances, opportunities, or subjective preferences and moods,’’ (Geser, H 2004).
   

Now towards the FUTURE? How will these perpetuous devices evolve? Some future predictions (MobileWorldLive 2012):

1)    By 2020 , over 20 million devices will be connected, that equates to three connected devices for every person on the planet.

2)     Downloads of mobile apps will reach 76.9 million by 2014.

3)     Half a billion people will be using their devices as metro and bus tickets by 2015.

Mobile phones play a huge role in social networking and its only through time that we will  be introduced to even more  phenomenal forms of this technology.

Thats all for now! 

:)

References

1.   Thompson 2007, Mobile phone users: are we now cyborgs, Bioteams, viewed 23^rd November 2012, http://www.bioteams.com/2007/03/28/mobile_phone_users.html.
2. Rheingold, H, 2002, ‘Smart Mobs: The Next Social Revolution’, Howard Rheingold, United States of Amercia. The Independent 2011, Do your mobile habits label you as a Cyborg, Centuar or Space Cowboy, The Independent, viewed 24^th November 2012, < http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/do-your-mobile-habits-label-you-as-a-cyborg-centaur-or-space-cowboy-2306188.html>
3. Richardson, R 2005, Mobile Technosoma: some phenomenological reflections on itinerant media devices, The Fibreculture Journal, viewed 24 November 2012, < http://six.fibreculturejournal.org/fcj-032-mobile-technosoma-some-phenomenological-reflections-on-itinerant-media-devices/ >
4. The Open Communication Journal 2008, ‘Cell Phone Usage and Social Interaction with Proximate Others: Ringing in a Theoretical Model’, p. 2, 127-135,  Banjo et al.; Licensee Bentham Open,  United States of Amercia. 
5. Ted 2012,  ‘Sherry Turkle-Connected, but alone’? Ted, viewed 24 November 2012, < http://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together.html>
6. Geser, H 2004, ‘Towards a Sociological Theory of the Mobile Phone’ , Online Publications Sociology of the Mobile Phone, viewed on 25 November 2012, http://socio.ch/mobile/t_geser1.htm#3.3
7. MobileWorldLive 2012, Gazing into the Future of Mobile, Youtube, viewed 29 November 2012, <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P8N40kxVuo>