Permission to reprint via civicsoftechnology.org Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about technodeterminism— that is, the mindset that assumes technologies will continue to develop on their own terms, according to their own fixed logic, and society needs to adjust itself to whatever comes next. Even the stuff we don’t particularly like or that doesn’t really make us feel good… … [Read more...] about Do you suffer from Mean World Syndrome?
Blogs
Looking back at Madison: Reflections on the 4th IMLRS
On June 27, 2022, I had the pleasure of welcoming Media Literacy advocates from around the world to my hometown of Madison, Wisconsin. Alongside the International Council for Media Literacy (IC4ML), I helped host the fourth International Media Literacy Research Symposium (IMLRS) founded by our President and my supervisor Dr. Belinha De Abreu. At first, it seemed a … [Read more...] about Looking back at Madison: Reflections on the 4th IMLRS
Social Media Isn’t Free
I have two questions for you today. The first is: Do you know how many times you have been treated and sold like a commodity today? The answer is as many times as you have logged onto social media apps like Facebook or others that allow Facebook to collect data about you. Hard to believe, but it is true. Haven’t you ever wondered why you do not pay for apps like Facebook? It is … [Read more...] about Social Media Isn’t Free
Social Media as a Primary Vehicle for News
In our growing age of technology and increasing dependence on our devices, individuals have turned to digital news rather than broadcast or print to be informed about current events. “In these days of pandemic, protests, economic recession and angst among the world’s population a recently issued report shows that consumers continue to shift away from traditional media sources … [Read more...] about Social Media as a Primary Vehicle for News
The Parasocial Relationships of Twitch
In September of 2020, Dextero reported how popular Twitch streamer “Sweet Anita” collected the tales of multiple female streamers who found themselves facing “police inaction” at the hands of their stalkers (Glaze 2021). Anita notes how her stalker has gone as far as to move “within four minutes of where she lived” and “followed her to a shop and chased her out into the street, … [Read more...] about The Parasocial Relationships of Twitch
Internet Memes: an Element of Coping Mechanism or a Tool for Propaganda Disinformation?
In times of calamities such as pandemics or wars, humor, as acknowledged by many scientists, serves as a coping mechanism that helps to endure stress, despair, and depression. Paradoxically, jokes and satirical images proliferate during war times. Gallows humor consoled soldiers during World War I. Humor and comedy were broadcasted and published during World War II to keep … [Read more...] about Internet Memes: an Element of Coping Mechanism or a Tool for Propaganda Disinformation?
Facebook’s Metaverse, Virtual Reality, and Bertolt Brecht
On October 28, 2021, CEO and founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, first announced the corporation’s rebrand. The social media company would now be called Meta, and Meta would henceforth focus on a new platform: the metaverse. The term metaverse is an amalgam of the Greek prefix meta, meaning beyond or transcending, and -verse, short for universe (López-Díez). The metaverse … [Read more...] about Facebook’s Metaverse, Virtual Reality, and Bertolt Brecht
Social Media and the Years to Come
Social media, since it started, has taken over our lives, in some good ways and some bad. I am not really sure when exactly this era came about, but it has since taken full control of how we see ourselves as a culture, how we view others, and how we connect with one another. For instance, we aren’t really having deep conversations anymore, we mainly are building conversations … [Read more...] about Social Media and the Years to Come
Sensationalism in the Media
What is Sensationalism There are numerous definitions for sensationalism. There’s gossip, exploitation of the facts, etc. In today’s society, media sensationalism has become the norm. Journalism in particular, has become the biggest perpetrator of sensationalism. To appear more dramatic and exciting, the truth is frequently exaggerated. All in the name of increasing … [Read more...] about Sensationalism in the Media
The Influence of Social Media on Children
Social media has had a huge influence on children of all ages. There are many positives and negatives to social media. Starting with the positives, social media gives children the ability to connect with their friends and their family members as well. Social media turned into something very positive when the pandemic started. When the pandemic started, young children were able … [Read more...] about The Influence of Social Media on Children
Watch Out For The Big Grrrls, Indeed
It’s quite frustrating that in today’s overabundant television landscape in which we have an endless number of shows on an evergrowing list of streaming services, there still aren’t many programs that celebrate - or even feature - plus-sized women. According to a study from the International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology, and Education, the average American woman wears … [Read more...] about Watch Out For The Big Grrrls, Indeed
The Issue of Body Image in the Media
Body image is a very sensitive subject when it comes to how it is portrayed in the media and how it affects the lives of the people who witness it. With technological advancements and so many forms of media today, it is easy for unrealistic body standards to be portrayed. You might be shocked to hear that there is correlation between time spent on social media and negative body … [Read more...] about The Issue of Body Image in the Media
Social Media and Its Effects on the Classroom
There is no denying that our social media and networks have transformed the landscape of our entire lives. It is what we live and breathe for every day. They disrupt our sleep schedules, decision-making process, and most importantly our learning and growing development. As a future teacher myself, I am beginning to see the shift in children as young as six and … [Read more...] about Social Media and Its Effects on the Classroom
The Poison that Failed
So the poison pill did not work. The $44 billion Twitter deal is done, despite skepticism among critics whether Elon Musk could raise that kind of money to make the platform a private entity. And with the takeover of 15% of Twitter comes a barrage of fears from concerns over complete private control to private monopoly issues, from the impacts of the promised decontrol over … [Read more...] about The Poison that Failed
Breaking Boba: Walter White’s Transformation vs Boba Fett’s Puzzling Rebirth
When the dust settled on episode 7 of the Book of Boba Fett and one surveys the rubble, it's clear that both Mos Espa and the future of Star Wars need some serious rebuilding. A long, long time ago, in a country situated on top of the Mediterranean Sea a philosopher and scientist named Aristotle set his sights on what makes for good fiction. A couple thousand years later we can … [Read more...] about Breaking Boba: Walter White’s Transformation vs Boba Fett’s Puzzling Rebirth
Just Look Up!: The Sixth IPCC Report, Polar Temperature Spikes, and the Slap Seen Around the World
Don’t Look Up, the Oscar-nominated Netflix film warning of the dangers of an impending planetary crisis, was repeatedly criticized because its satire of US politics and media was seen as a heavy handed and melodramatic caricature. But the spectacle of Will Smith’s live TV assault on Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards ceremony and how it obscured alarming climate news, … [Read more...] about Just Look Up!: The Sixth IPCC Report, Polar Temperature Spikes, and the Slap Seen Around the World
Lifelong Learning Culture Demands “Multidimensional Literacy”
Some generations grew up hearing from their parents that if they chose to pursue a career in Medicine or Law, they would carry the "burden" of studying for the rest of their lives. Times have changed; nowadays it must not be considered a “burden.” Today, lifelong learning is the watchword for any citizen and for the development of nations; moreover, it cannot be seen as a … [Read more...] about Lifelong Learning Culture Demands “Multidimensional Literacy”
The Twists of Turning Red
I had the distinct pleasure the other day of sitting down to watch Pixar/Disney's new feature called Turning Red. Now why was it a distinct pleasure? Because my guest for the screening was my 8-year-old godchild. She happens to be the daughter of Moroccan and Arabic parents. She has a very outsized personality and a vocabulary to match. She had seen the film once before me and … [Read more...] about The Twists of Turning Red
Cartoons: Stereotypes and Social Awareness
A topic that I’ve thought about for a while is how cartoons are changing in the midst of our modern society with cancel culture. In recent times, people have spoken out against certain cartoon characters as they portray qualities that reflect current social issues. One example of recent controversy was the removal of the character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon from The Simpsons. Apu … [Read more...] about Cartoons: Stereotypes and Social Awareness
The Odessa Steps 1905, 1925, 2022
The best film you've probably never seen comes from 1925 and has never been more relevant than today. In 1905, Russian sailors mutinied on a battleship because of their deplorable living conditions under the officers of Czar Nicholas II. After being forced to eat rotten meat they took over the ship and threw the Russian Czar's officers overboard. In that same year, … [Read more...] about The Odessa Steps 1905, 1925, 2022
