Robinson, Wendy. “Catching the Waves: Considering Cyberculture, Technoculture, and Electronic Consumption.” Critical Cyber-Culture Studies. Ed. David Silver and Adrienne Massanari. New York: New York University Press, 2006. 55-67.
In this article, Dr. Robinson brings about interesting questions regarding the past, present and future of cyber culture studies and how each point in time is connected by similarity and lineage. The internet cyber culture can be separated into three different categories: the first wave, the second wave, and the third wave. The first wave is considered to be the beginning of a public internet system. Without giving any real timeline, she mentions points in history which convey the idea that this took place in America between 1993 and 2003. The internet spiked and slowed alongside the dot com economic crash. Internet explorer was created. The Y2K bug effect happened, scaring the masses into costly upgrades. AOL rose and fell. The 2000 election happened along with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The second wave of cyber culture is comprised of three points. The second wave is a continuation of the techno culture of the 20th century. especially that which has been seen in the 80’s. Both the cyber culture and the techno culture have relied on gadgets and gizmos to propel the next wave of pop culture. The television is often mentioned as a parallel invention to the internet in a different generation. Comparisons can also be drawn between the infamous Walkman player culture of the 80’s to the hip iPod culture of the new millennium. If we reconsider the media theories brought forth by such classic authors as Marshall McLuhan and Raymond Williams, we might be able to further develop and refine these theories so that they may serve us in a more moern environment. The online buzz of the second wave has further shaped the way we conduct our day to day living, mobilizing us to partake physically in this cyber culture. Wireless hardware has allowed us to take our cyber lives with us without hindrance. We find ourselves buying gadgets and gizmos not just because of a new feature that has been added in a short month’s time, but because the item is more sleek and in a way more aesthetic. Our material and mobile lives are merging with the lives that we’ve traditionally conducted at a table in only one room of our house. Thirdly, electronic items are increasingly merging in use. People are now working on their computer while watching television. Cell phones are sending pictures to a laptop. The gadgets that we know and love are now communicating with each other like never before.
With the closing of the second wave and the beginning of the third, we are coming out of our “teenage” internet hype and into the reality of the adult hangover. With the virtual unknown possibility hype gone, maybe what we have to look forward to now is reconsidering past ideas of what the television is and how we may incorporate all of our virtual lives into another being. The third wave is on the horizon and still very young, but we have already seen a new mainstream philosophy of the all-in-one. Mobile phones are becoming personal computers within themselves. Televisions and computers are becoming one in the same machine. The new material location of digital focus is the living room. Modern gadgets are rarely seen without the integration of the telephone or the internet and the television is becoming the new, ”killer app.”
-- Joshua Winn
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
An Internet Article Review
Carstarphen, Meta G. and Jacqueline Johnson Lambaise. “Domination and Democracy in Cyberspace: Reports from the Majority Media and Ethnic/Gender Margins.” Cyberghetto or Cybertopia?:Race, Class, and Gender on the Internet. Ed. Bosah Ebo. Westport: Praeger, 1998. 121-135.
In this article, the authors discuss different concepts of the internet and it’s uses as a method of communication and as a tool of domination. Since the internets conception, it has been seen as an open ground of egalitarian ideas, where people from all walks of life may get together and discuss issues without one character dominating the other. The idea of the internet as a vast, ever expanding and formless environment may have some truth to it, but in order for this well of knowledge to become tapped, there must be a convenient way of navigating through the internet. The authors argued the idea that the internet is not so much a place where everyone is equal, but that the internet is comparable to real estate. Instead of bordering landscapes, internet space is dictated by the “bracketing of ideas”. Instead of egalitarian ideas, digital domination is formed out of the literature prevalent on the internet and in the media, affecting the online status of both gender and ethnicity.
To build the credibility of their argument, multiple academic articles are cited. The articles mentioned are mostly concerned with computer-mediated communication and gender participation. One professor, Dr. J.J. Lambiase , conducted a study which involved a class of 43 Journalism students. Ten students were male, while the remaining 33 students were female. Within the class, approximately only four members have had any experience with computer-mediated communication at the beginning of the course. The class was conducted over 11 ½ weeks in Fall 1996. During that time, the participants go from posting trivial information, to getting into arguments over business in the class. One student started posting racist, sexist and old jokes which only escalated the hostile mood in the discussion board. The behavior of this student within the class lectures however was a far cry from his attitude online, quiet and non-confrontational. By the end of the course, data was collected concerning participation. In the discussion board, 216 messages were posted by students. Of the 216, 121 were posted by the males, while only 95 were posted by the females. The professor points out that even though only 23% of the class was male, they posted 56% of the messages. In a few interviews that were conducted after the class, the women explained that the reason why they were not posting as often was because of the hostile environment that developed. The professor concludes in her research that people are much more likely to reveal their internal belief system. The data also gave evidence for a claim made by Professor W.J. Ong, who stated that many women have been socially conditioned to avoid interpersonal conflict, while men have been conditioned to enjoy conflict as a game.
In their conclusion, the authors explain that the depiction of the internet as either a barrier-free medium or a commercially dominated arena rely on every internet user’s characterization of its being. Popular media today focuses on ownership and economics concerning the internet, without building on the notion of being a free-to-participate network. In order for the internet to become a truly free environment, the users must get rid of internet authority figures such as Bill Gates or Steve Jobs. They finish off by stating that to make a judgment on the internet today would be premature because there is still a very large population that hasn’t been accounted for on the internet. Only time will tell if the internet will become a barrier-free medium or a media fuelled economic machine.
--Joshua Winn
In this article, the authors discuss different concepts of the internet and it’s uses as a method of communication and as a tool of domination. Since the internets conception, it has been seen as an open ground of egalitarian ideas, where people from all walks of life may get together and discuss issues without one character dominating the other. The idea of the internet as a vast, ever expanding and formless environment may have some truth to it, but in order for this well of knowledge to become tapped, there must be a convenient way of navigating through the internet. The authors argued the idea that the internet is not so much a place where everyone is equal, but that the internet is comparable to real estate. Instead of bordering landscapes, internet space is dictated by the “bracketing of ideas”. Instead of egalitarian ideas, digital domination is formed out of the literature prevalent on the internet and in the media, affecting the online status of both gender and ethnicity.
To build the credibility of their argument, multiple academic articles are cited. The articles mentioned are mostly concerned with computer-mediated communication and gender participation. One professor, Dr. J.J. Lambiase , conducted a study which involved a class of 43 Journalism students. Ten students were male, while the remaining 33 students were female. Within the class, approximately only four members have had any experience with computer-mediated communication at the beginning of the course. The class was conducted over 11 ½ weeks in Fall 1996. During that time, the participants go from posting trivial information, to getting into arguments over business in the class. One student started posting racist, sexist and old jokes which only escalated the hostile mood in the discussion board. The behavior of this student within the class lectures however was a far cry from his attitude online, quiet and non-confrontational. By the end of the course, data was collected concerning participation. In the discussion board, 216 messages were posted by students. Of the 216, 121 were posted by the males, while only 95 were posted by the females. The professor points out that even though only 23% of the class was male, they posted 56% of the messages. In a few interviews that were conducted after the class, the women explained that the reason why they were not posting as often was because of the hostile environment that developed. The professor concludes in her research that people are much more likely to reveal their internal belief system. The data also gave evidence for a claim made by Professor W.J. Ong, who stated that many women have been socially conditioned to avoid interpersonal conflict, while men have been conditioned to enjoy conflict as a game.
In their conclusion, the authors explain that the depiction of the internet as either a barrier-free medium or a commercially dominated arena rely on every internet user’s characterization of its being. Popular media today focuses on ownership and economics concerning the internet, without building on the notion of being a free-to-participate network. In order for the internet to become a truly free environment, the users must get rid of internet authority figures such as Bill Gates or Steve Jobs. They finish off by stating that to make a judgment on the internet today would be premature because there is still a very large population that hasn’t been accounted for on the internet. Only time will tell if the internet will become a barrier-free medium or a media fuelled economic machine.
--Joshua Winn
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Journal Reviews on Music
1. Fitts, M. (2008). "Drop It Like It's Hot": Culture Industry Laborers and Their Perspectives on Rap Music Video Production. Meridians V. 8 No. 1 (2008) P. 211-35, 8(1), 211-235.
“Video girls,” or the girls who work on sites filming rap music videos, are often treated as mostly sexual objects. Casting directors often look for girls who are the hottest, in order to fulfill the “booty video” formula. The “booty video” formula means that the music video focuses on the posteriors of usually Africa-American and Latina women. Since rap music spread worldwide, directors for the music videos feel they need to make the videos visually “pleasing” in the form of women. Oftentimes, the women working on the sets are used sexually by the artist and director, and the author talks about how the women are often passed around. Working conditions on music video sets are very poor, but since consumers are still watching it, the cycle will never end.
2. McCarthy, K. (2006). Not Pretty Girls?: Sexuality, Spirituality, and Gender Construction in Women's Rock Music. Journal of Popular Culture V. 39 No. 1 (February 2006) P. 69-94, 39(1), 69-94.
In the past few years, the link between the feminist theory and music has become more evident. There were two sides to females in the music industry. On one side, there were the girls who were sexually exploited to sell records, such as Madonna and Courtney Love. There were also the clean cut females such as Sandra Dee. The 1960s was considered the first generation of women in music, the 1970s as the second generation, and the 1980s up until now as the third generation. This third generation is believed to be more pop culture driven because of the new technology available. Women are writing and producing their own records and their lyrics are focused on girls having fun. Although feminist theories have become more prominent these days, women such as Gwen Stefani would still use their bodies to help boost their images.
3. Bragg, B. , & McFarland, P. (2007). The Erotic and the Pornographic in Chicana Rap: JV Vs. Ms. Sancha. Meridians V. 7 No. 2 (2007) P. 1-21, 7(2), 1-21.
Chicana/o rap often uses sexual connotations in their lyrics. Chicanos talk about what women can do to sexually please them and their lyrics usually say little else. Chicana rap lyrics are also highly sexualized. Feminism and power are one category while their being sexual objects is another. LA based female rap artist JV uses sex to show how being a woman can hold power over men. She uses derogatory terms that men would use in their lyrics, along with phrases that they would also say. In contrast, San Diego based Ms. Sancha is more of a sex object. She conforms to rap views on how women are only there to please men and have sex. There are different views on how rap is evolving, and it is unknown as to whether politics of the erotic and feminism will dominate over the politics of sexual exploitation.
-Tepthida Tan
“Video girls,” or the girls who work on sites filming rap music videos, are often treated as mostly sexual objects. Casting directors often look for girls who are the hottest, in order to fulfill the “booty video” formula. The “booty video” formula means that the music video focuses on the posteriors of usually Africa-American and Latina women. Since rap music spread worldwide, directors for the music videos feel they need to make the videos visually “pleasing” in the form of women. Oftentimes, the women working on the sets are used sexually by the artist and director, and the author talks about how the women are often passed around. Working conditions on music video sets are very poor, but since consumers are still watching it, the cycle will never end.
2. McCarthy, K. (2006). Not Pretty Girls?: Sexuality, Spirituality, and Gender Construction in Women's Rock Music. Journal of Popular Culture V. 39 No. 1 (February 2006) P. 69-94, 39(1), 69-94.
In the past few years, the link between the feminist theory and music has become more evident. There were two sides to females in the music industry. On one side, there were the girls who were sexually exploited to sell records, such as Madonna and Courtney Love. There were also the clean cut females such as Sandra Dee. The 1960s was considered the first generation of women in music, the 1970s as the second generation, and the 1980s up until now as the third generation. This third generation is believed to be more pop culture driven because of the new technology available. Women are writing and producing their own records and their lyrics are focused on girls having fun. Although feminist theories have become more prominent these days, women such as Gwen Stefani would still use their bodies to help boost their images.
3. Bragg, B. , & McFarland, P. (2007). The Erotic and the Pornographic in Chicana Rap: JV Vs. Ms. Sancha. Meridians V. 7 No. 2 (2007) P. 1-21, 7(2), 1-21.
Chicana/o rap often uses sexual connotations in their lyrics. Chicanos talk about what women can do to sexually please them and their lyrics usually say little else. Chicana rap lyrics are also highly sexualized. Feminism and power are one category while their being sexual objects is another. LA based female rap artist JV uses sex to show how being a woman can hold power over men. She uses derogatory terms that men would use in their lyrics, along with phrases that they would also say. In contrast, San Diego based Ms. Sancha is more of a sex object. She conforms to rap views on how women are only there to please men and have sex. There are different views on how rap is evolving, and it is unknown as to whether politics of the erotic and feminism will dominate over the politics of sexual exploitation.
-Tepthida Tan
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Relevant Articles related to Popular Culture: Movies
A) Behm-Morawitz, E. , & Mastro, D. Mean Girls? The Influence of Gender Portrayals in Teen Movies on Emerging Adults' Gender-Based Attitudes and Beliefs. Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly V. (2008) P. 131-46.
Summary: This study deals with issues on identity development and the caste system used in young teenagers lives through movies. This research studied the ways in which film such as Mean Girls focus on social aggression as the most prevailing form of surviving high school. The background on why conduct a research study on teenagers and aggression with the film industry is because there have been no known empirical investigations made that depict these realities. For example, it was noticed that females are more likely to act aggressive only if they are being rewarded right after. The study found that the more amount of television viewed by the teenagers the more they adopted the film’s beliefs. After watching films with social aggression, it made them more aware of their personal friendships. In conclusion, they seem to find that exposure to such films send the message that success in the feminine social world can be obtained through the use of duplicitous means.
B) Cateforis, T. Rebel Girls and Singing Boys: Performing Music and Gender in the Teen Movie. Current Musicology No. 87 (2009) P. 161-190.
Summary: In this study Cateforis focuses on the choice of music used in to perpetuate gender divides in films. He observes that female characters are positioned as outsiders with their devotion to alternative musical tastes. The main research is on the study of the ‘rebel girl’. The study gives the example of 10 things I Hate about You, which focuses on the young rebel girl, but has a musical taste in girly punk rock band which she is made fun of by her crush. The main argument is that a characters musical transformation leads to a social transformation. He argues that the music choice for every character is what describes qualities of the actual character.
C) Jenkins, T. "Potential Lesbians at Two O'Clock": The Heterosexualization of Lesbianism in the Recent Teen Film. Journal of Popular Culture V. 38 No.(2005) P. 491-504.
Summary:In Tricia Jenkins research study, she focuses on how the movie industry has not yet fully accepted homosexuality. She goes into depths analyzing an array of films that according to her have been watered down to fit the trend. She criticizes that films may use a girl-on-girl kissing scene that is made is front of boys as playful and a type of dare. She argues that it is poking fun of the lifestyle rather than embracing it. She acknowledges that TV shows have been able to embrace it because it is not shown explicitly as it would on film in which many people argue is far too dangerous for the young people that watch these films ages 18-24.
[Amarilis Ambriz]
A) Behm-Morawitz, E. , & Mastro, D. Mean Girls? The Influence of Gender Portrayals in Teen Movies on Emerging Adults' Gender-Based Attitudes and Beliefs. Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly V. (2008) P. 131-46.
Summary: This study deals with issues on identity development and the caste system used in young teenagers lives through movies. This research studied the ways in which film such as Mean Girls focus on social aggression as the most prevailing form of surviving high school. The background on why conduct a research study on teenagers and aggression with the film industry is because there have been no known empirical investigations made that depict these realities. For example, it was noticed that females are more likely to act aggressive only if they are being rewarded right after. The study found that the more amount of television viewed by the teenagers the more they adopted the film’s beliefs. After watching films with social aggression, it made them more aware of their personal friendships. In conclusion, they seem to find that exposure to such films send the message that success in the feminine social world can be obtained through the use of duplicitous means.
B) Cateforis, T. Rebel Girls and Singing Boys: Performing Music and Gender in the Teen Movie. Current Musicology No. 87 (2009) P. 161-190.
Summary: In this study Cateforis focuses on the choice of music used in to perpetuate gender divides in films. He observes that female characters are positioned as outsiders with their devotion to alternative musical tastes. The main research is on the study of the ‘rebel girl’. The study gives the example of 10 things I Hate about You, which focuses on the young rebel girl, but has a musical taste in girly punk rock band which she is made fun of by her crush. The main argument is that a characters musical transformation leads to a social transformation. He argues that the music choice for every character is what describes qualities of the actual character.
C) Jenkins, T. "Potential Lesbians at Two O'Clock": The Heterosexualization of Lesbianism in the Recent Teen Film. Journal of Popular Culture V. 38 No.(2005) P. 491-504.
Summary:In Tricia Jenkins research study, she focuses on how the movie industry has not yet fully accepted homosexuality. She goes into depths analyzing an array of films that according to her have been watered down to fit the trend. She criticizes that films may use a girl-on-girl kissing scene that is made is front of boys as playful and a type of dare. She argues that it is poking fun of the lifestyle rather than embracing it. She acknowledges that TV shows have been able to embrace it because it is not shown explicitly as it would on film in which many people argue is far too dangerous for the young people that watch these films ages 18-24.
[Amarilis Ambriz]
Monday, November 16, 2009
Journal Article
Images of Women in General Interest and Fashion Magazine Advertisements from 1955 to 2002
Everyday people are bombarded by visual advertisements that encourage them to buy certain products or services. Images in magazines shape and influence our ideas of what it means to be male or female in society and how we should look. The study conducted was to examine the portrayals of women in advertisements in magazines. The researchers analyzed two magazines which were Time and Vogue magazines.
Women in the 1970’s were advertised in magazines primarily shown as the traditional-mother, home, or beauty/sex oriented roles. These roles were not representative of the whole society, they were quite stereotypical. Now in magazines women are shown in highly sexualized manners. The researchers found that women in magazines are actually smaller in the advertisements compared to men, showing that they are inferior to men. The researchers also noted that women were often depicted as mentally drifting from the scene and being vulnerable to potential threats in their environment. In magazines women are portrayed as many things but the main thing that they are viewed as now days are sex objects, eye candy, and just objects whose only function was to be looked at, they had nothing more to offer.
Lindner, K. (2004). Images of women in general interest and fashion magazine advertisements from 1955 to 2002. Sex Roles, 51(7/8), 409.
[Christina Lopez]
Everyday people are bombarded by visual advertisements that encourage them to buy certain products or services. Images in magazines shape and influence our ideas of what it means to be male or female in society and how we should look. The study conducted was to examine the portrayals of women in advertisements in magazines. The researchers analyzed two magazines which were Time and Vogue magazines.
Women in the 1970’s were advertised in magazines primarily shown as the traditional-mother, home, or beauty/sex oriented roles. These roles were not representative of the whole society, they were quite stereotypical. Now in magazines women are shown in highly sexualized manners. The researchers found that women in magazines are actually smaller in the advertisements compared to men, showing that they are inferior to men. The researchers also noted that women were often depicted as mentally drifting from the scene and being vulnerable to potential threats in their environment. In magazines women are portrayed as many things but the main thing that they are viewed as now days are sex objects, eye candy, and just objects whose only function was to be looked at, they had nothing more to offer.
Lindner, K. (2004). Images of women in general interest and fashion magazine advertisements from 1955 to 2002. Sex Roles, 51(7/8), 409.
[Christina Lopez]
Journal Article
"Master Your Johnson"[1]: Sexual Rhetoric in Maxim and Stuff Magazines
The media prescribes how we should look, with whom we should have sex, and how important sex should be in our lives. Magazines depict these messages in an assortment of ways, through their articles, photos, and advertisements. In the study conducted, the researcher sought to examine how men’s magazines provide readers with cues about sexuality and sexual practice in both Maxim and Stuff magazines.
These magazines send out messages about sexuality in different ways for men and women. Though both magazines construct sexuality in similar ways, women were portrayed as sex objects being photographed in contorting and demeaning positions. Both magazines portray white people as sexier than the other races and presume heterosexuality. Women, in the pictures, were more likely to be illustrated as sexual objects than men, while men were more likely to be given specific roles as entertainers, business professionals, or athletes. When posing in pictures, men were more likely to be photographed standing or had head shots while women were depicted reclining or contorting as well as posing in a way of sexual invitation. The photos made the models appear to be objects of sexual desire rather than full-fledged human beings.
Krassas, N. , Blauwkamp, J. , & Wesselink, P. (2003). "Master Your Johnson"[1]: Sexual Rhetoric in Maxim and Stuff Magazines. Sexuality & Culture, 7(3), 98-119.
[Christina Lopez]
The media prescribes how we should look, with whom we should have sex, and how important sex should be in our lives. Magazines depict these messages in an assortment of ways, through their articles, photos, and advertisements. In the study conducted, the researcher sought to examine how men’s magazines provide readers with cues about sexuality and sexual practice in both Maxim and Stuff magazines.
These magazines send out messages about sexuality in different ways for men and women. Though both magazines construct sexuality in similar ways, women were portrayed as sex objects being photographed in contorting and demeaning positions. Both magazines portray white people as sexier than the other races and presume heterosexuality. Women, in the pictures, were more likely to be illustrated as sexual objects than men, while men were more likely to be given specific roles as entertainers, business professionals, or athletes. When posing in pictures, men were more likely to be photographed standing or had head shots while women were depicted reclining or contorting as well as posing in a way of sexual invitation. The photos made the models appear to be objects of sexual desire rather than full-fledged human beings.
Krassas, N. , Blauwkamp, J. , & Wesselink, P. (2003). "Master Your Johnson"[1]: Sexual Rhetoric in Maxim and Stuff Magazines. Sexuality & Culture, 7(3), 98-119.
[Christina Lopez]
Journal Article on Magazines
Reading Representations of Black, East Asian, and White Women in Magazines for Adolescent Girls
Women’s magazines have often played a key role in the disseminating stereotypical gender roles, idealistic beauty standards, detrimental weights, and patriarchal subordination. These magazines shape the images we have of people from different cultures and backgrounds, they shape not only a women’s view of herself but also how society views her.
This article was about the different representations of women in magazines based on their race. The study was designed to compare how White, Black, and East Asian women were portrayed in advertisements found in fashion magazines directed at adolescent girls. The study revealed that there was a correlation found between race and the type of product being advertised as well as a correlation between the race and the importance of the model in the advertisement. Magazines have a social influence by building and reinforcing stereotypes, the images in the magazines also contribute to social problems such as prejudice, educations and occupational opportunities, and racism.
The study found that Black and white models were featured in more prominent and major roles than were East Asian models. East Asian women were featured significantly more in background roles than Black and White women. Eat Asian women were more absent from clothing and beauty advertisements, but more in technology advertisements giving the stereotype that East Asians are hardworking, well educated, and talented in math and science. Black women were seen and portrayed as hyper sexual individuals and deviant beings. Black women were often depicted alone and independent. The white women’s beauty was still seen as ideal, the white woman was tall, thin, blond, and had colored eyes and portrayed in more beauty and fashion advertisements.
Sengupta, R. (2006). Reading Representations of Black, East Asian, and White Women in Magazines for Adolescent Girls. Sex Roles, 54(11/12), 799-808.
[Christina Lopez]
Women’s magazines have often played a key role in the disseminating stereotypical gender roles, idealistic beauty standards, detrimental weights, and patriarchal subordination. These magazines shape the images we have of people from different cultures and backgrounds, they shape not only a women’s view of herself but also how society views her.
This article was about the different representations of women in magazines based on their race. The study was designed to compare how White, Black, and East Asian women were portrayed in advertisements found in fashion magazines directed at adolescent girls. The study revealed that there was a correlation found between race and the type of product being advertised as well as a correlation between the race and the importance of the model in the advertisement. Magazines have a social influence by building and reinforcing stereotypes, the images in the magazines also contribute to social problems such as prejudice, educations and occupational opportunities, and racism.
The study found that Black and white models were featured in more prominent and major roles than were East Asian models. East Asian women were featured significantly more in background roles than Black and White women. Eat Asian women were more absent from clothing and beauty advertisements, but more in technology advertisements giving the stereotype that East Asians are hardworking, well educated, and talented in math and science. Black women were seen and portrayed as hyper sexual individuals and deviant beings. Black women were often depicted alone and independent. The white women’s beauty was still seen as ideal, the white woman was tall, thin, blond, and had colored eyes and portrayed in more beauty and fashion advertisements.
Sengupta, R. (2006). Reading Representations of Black, East Asian, and White Women in Magazines for Adolescent Girls. Sex Roles, 54(11/12), 799-808.
[Christina Lopez]
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