Facebook is has over five-hundred million different users worldwide. Each profile is personalized by the users choice and there are few limitations as to what you can use your profile (and friend's profiles) to do. I surveyed a random sample of seven of my Facebook friends asking them three questions; When did they first use Facebook? Why did they start? and What do they spend the majority of their time doing? I then examined there profiles to see what each one said about themselves through pictures, albums, "likes", etc.
Originally, even after Facebook left Harvard, it was intended to be for college students only. However, this is not the case. Now high school students, college students, and adults all use Facebook for various reasons. For that purpose, I broke up the participants into three groups: A)16-19 years old B)20-24 years old and C)24 years and older. This is to help to see if there is any homogeneity with-in groups or between.
Group A: 16-19 years old
Participant 1: One started using her Facebook account when she was in eighth grade (2008). Her reason for joining was because of friend's having one and telling her about it. She uses Facebook for primarily "creeping". Analysis of her profile shows that she has 502 friends, 68 likes, five albums, and 348 pictures in which she is tagged. Personal information she discloses include her email address and phone number.
Participant 2: Two started using her Facebook account in the tenth grade (2008). Her reason was the combination of friends having an account and Myspace becoming incompetent. She enjoys the aspect of "creeping" on her friends, and also staying in touch with them. Analysis of her profile shows that she has 638 friends, 30 likes, 21 photo albums, and 546 tagged photos. The only personal information she discloses is her email address.
Group A: It is quite interesting that both One and Two voiced that "creeping" is their most frequent activity online. "Creeping" has such a negative connotation, but yet they openly chose that word. It shows that it is an acceptable hobby in the social community of Facebook. A little bit of fear arises in who else might be "creeping", primarily for One as she discloses her phone number. Both of them have quite a high number of "friends", leading me to believe that they probably do not keep up with all of them. Yet it was the influence of friends, that led to their starting their use. And while they claim that "creeping" is their favorite past time, they both use the "likes" to express their own feelings and opinions, painting a picture of themselves in the community.
Group B: 20-24 years old
Participant 3: Three started using Facebook when she turned 18 (2007). She wanted to put up the photos from her eighteenth birthday (being from England, the 18th birthday is the equivalent to a 21st birthday celebration here). Her main activities are looking at photos, browsing the newsfeed, and keeping up with friends. Analysis of her profile shows that she has 462 friends, 11 likes, 80 photo albums, and 1268 tagged photos. The only personal information she discloses is her email addresses.
Participant 4: Four started using Facebook in 2007, the reason being that Myspace was bad. She uses it to "talk with friends" and for pictures. Analysis of her profile shows that she has 471 friends, 1607 likes, 43 albums, and 2178 tagged photos. The only personal information she discloses is her email address.
Participant 5: Five started using Facebook as a high school senior (2007). His reasoning was that my space was sub-par. The activity he partakes in the most is "creeping" on profiles. His profile shows that he has 543 friends, 207 likes, 9 albums, and 247 tagged photos. His email address, phone number and address are all disclosed.
Participant 6: Six started using Facebook last year (2009). His reasoning was that it was better than Myspace. He enjoys "laughing at status updates". His profile shows that he has 225 friends, 16 likes, seven albums, and 24 tagged photos. No private information.
Group B: This group is more so a cohort that grew up with the onslaught of online communities as evident by their reasoning of joining Facebook was the fact it seemed like an update from Myspace. With the exception of one, no body uses the word "creeping" and rather likes to talk/keep up with friends. Also, the amount of friends, all seem to be relatively more believable than in Group A, especially since this group contains two Europeans who have lived in multiple countries and therefore have multiple friend groups. Two of them also voiced an interest in photos online which was made evident by the amount of photo albums and tagged photos. In addition, participant Four and Five seem to express themselves with their likes, especially Four. It seems that she really enjoys expressing herself online. Overall, privacy concerns only come up for one participant.
Group C: 24-30
Participant 7: Seven started using Facebook in 2007 at the urging of her younger siblings. She uses it to keep up with friends and family, while also using it to "elicit feedback on cooking and research thoughts". Her profile lists 325 friends, 2 likes, 3 albums and 117 tagged photos. She lists her email address and academic website.
Group C: As I was only able to obtain one participant for this group, it is hard to base any conclusions. However, a couple interesting things still stand out to me. For one, Seven was told to join by younger siblings to join. This shows that even though she is in her late twenties, social networking was not something she grew up with. To this effect, she uses this online community in a way that no one else mentioned; she tries to "elicit feedback". She uses this as an actual network to communicate on things beyond friendships and social lives, but into the realm of academia.
With over half a billion people signed in to the social community of Facebook, it is evident in this sampling of seven individuals that everyone uses it in a different way. It is what you make out of it.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Digital Media
When it comes to digital media, Facebook is what I use the most. I have had my account for probably six years or so, and have witnessed my own profile's changes and adaptations as well as the site itself.
While in highschool, I had an account but didn't really ever use it. The people I communicated with, I usually came into contact with every day in real life, so I never really used a virtual meeting place. Now, however, I find that this virtual meeting place is what appeals to me the most about Facebook. I come from a large family and have many friends that are spread out across the globe; my cousin lives in China, another one in Germany, friends studying abroad, sister living in Canada, and my girlfriend lives in England. Facebook allows me to keep in contact with all of them for free. Long distance, international calls are expensive, and the time differences don't allow for immediate communication. I can send messages, wall posts, and even look at their pictures, all without a specific time schedule.
One element of Facebook that everyone is somewhat worried about is privacy. Postings, comments, and pictures online are readily accessible and fairly permanent. You can be searched for by almost anyone, but luckily I have a pseudonym for my account so that few people can find me. An interesting thing about having a different name on my account is that some "friends" actually believe that that is my real name. This definitely helps explain what is meant as a "friend" online.
Other than a different name on my account, my profile is pretty informative. I have on it my hometown, current town, school, and job. However, all my photos are blocked so no one else can look at them unless I give them access.
Another feature I enjoy is the ability to post sites and articles from all over the web. I often post anything that I have read in various news sources, to a music video, on my wall or even on to my friends' walls. The comments that follow allow for a debate on topics and issues that we find interesting.
Facebook helps in forming and maintaining relationships with people I know and interact with often in real life. Every few months or so I do what I like to call a "friend purge" and delete any "friends" that I do not actually communicate. I like to keep my list small so as to build meaningful relationships that can in turn be forms of networking for the future. I have some teachers I have had in the past, along with adults such as relatives and friends' mothers.
When it comes to friends' mothers, an issue of appropriateness comes up. I have had friends delete articles or videos I have posted on their walls because they feared their parent reading it, when in reality it is an issue that the wall owner is actually passionate about. This shows that some people wish to portray an ideal self on the web.
Rick Ayers makes some good points about Facebook for educators. It is a great tool to network and keep people informed like his wife does with each grade levels. Creating groups and events lets the message get out about issues and deadlines. For myself, I could see myself creating groups for my classes, (under a different profile than my personal account) and displaying assignments and help. The students and I could even have a question and answer forum in case their are difficulties with an assignment. This could be a bit better than having a class website since many students spend a majority of their web time on Facebook already.
While in highschool, I had an account but didn't really ever use it. The people I communicated with, I usually came into contact with every day in real life, so I never really used a virtual meeting place. Now, however, I find that this virtual meeting place is what appeals to me the most about Facebook. I come from a large family and have many friends that are spread out across the globe; my cousin lives in China, another one in Germany, friends studying abroad, sister living in Canada, and my girlfriend lives in England. Facebook allows me to keep in contact with all of them for free. Long distance, international calls are expensive, and the time differences don't allow for immediate communication. I can send messages, wall posts, and even look at their pictures, all without a specific time schedule.
One element of Facebook that everyone is somewhat worried about is privacy. Postings, comments, and pictures online are readily accessible and fairly permanent. You can be searched for by almost anyone, but luckily I have a pseudonym for my account so that few people can find me. An interesting thing about having a different name on my account is that some "friends" actually believe that that is my real name. This definitely helps explain what is meant as a "friend" online.
Other than a different name on my account, my profile is pretty informative. I have on it my hometown, current town, school, and job. However, all my photos are blocked so no one else can look at them unless I give them access.
Another feature I enjoy is the ability to post sites and articles from all over the web. I often post anything that I have read in various news sources, to a music video, on my wall or even on to my friends' walls. The comments that follow allow for a debate on topics and issues that we find interesting.
Facebook helps in forming and maintaining relationships with people I know and interact with often in real life. Every few months or so I do what I like to call a "friend purge" and delete any "friends" that I do not actually communicate. I like to keep my list small so as to build meaningful relationships that can in turn be forms of networking for the future. I have some teachers I have had in the past, along with adults such as relatives and friends' mothers.
When it comes to friends' mothers, an issue of appropriateness comes up. I have had friends delete articles or videos I have posted on their walls because they feared their parent reading it, when in reality it is an issue that the wall owner is actually passionate about. This shows that some people wish to portray an ideal self on the web.
Rick Ayers makes some good points about Facebook for educators. It is a great tool to network and keep people informed like his wife does with each grade levels. Creating groups and events lets the message get out about issues and deadlines. For myself, I could see myself creating groups for my classes, (under a different profile than my personal account) and displaying assignments and help. The students and I could even have a question and answer forum in case their are difficulties with an assignment. This could be a bit better than having a class website since many students spend a majority of their web time on Facebook already.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Advertising
Here is my VoiceThread regarding cigarette advertisements. These ads were chosen because they demonstrate the way one product can be advertised in many ways, and show a change in society values.
For my lesson plan, I would have my students talk about advertisement as propaganda for consumerism. First I would have students brainstorm where and when they see adverts. They would then keep a daily journal of ads, keeping in mind as to what they were doing when they saw the ads. We would particularly focus on the advertisements they see online, focusing on their social networks. Hopefully they will notice how some of the side ads on Facebook are geared towards them specifically. While this is going on, we would read M. T. Anderson's novel, Feed. I would then have students write a paper about any similarities or differences they see in the ads on "the feed" versus their daily lives.
For my lesson plan, I would have my students talk about advertisement as propaganda for consumerism. First I would have students brainstorm where and when they see adverts. They would then keep a daily journal of ads, keeping in mind as to what they were doing when they saw the ads. We would particularly focus on the advertisements they see online, focusing on their social networks. Hopefully they will notice how some of the side ads on Facebook are geared towards them specifically. While this is going on, we would read M. T. Anderson's novel, Feed. I would then have students write a paper about any similarities or differences they see in the ads on "the feed" versus their daily lives.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Who is an American? and Feminism in Sports
League of Their Own
This clip shows the Rockford Peaches singing in the locker room before a game. The song they sing and their actions while changing for the game can give insight to what it meant to be an American during WWII and also what role women had in society.
First off, this film reached a large audience, even becoming number one at the box office. Therefore, one can assume that it was received by both males and females. This particular scene demonstrates however, that these women are to be viewed by men. The little boy, Stilwell, has his eyes closed. He works as the signifier, but he signifies the male sex as a whole. His peaking through his hands, is the referent of men being able to view women as sexual objects.
In regards the link to Geena Davis' article, (Eye Candy is Not for Kids), it is interesting enough that Geena Davis actually plays the lead female character in the film. This film goes along with her article, as the story is all about females athletes, breaking perceived gender norms. Geena also points out that female screen writers make up only about 13%. This story was written by a team of women but rewritten for the screen by men.
Looking at this clip as a feminist critique, there are many things it is trying to say. If one was to define what it means to be women based on this particular clip (and the movie as a whole) it is quite clear. While they are playing baseball, they still have to play by "men's rules" so to speak. But there is a slight twist. They have to wear the revealing skirts so they remain appealing to men, which puts them in a vulnerable position for injuries from the sport itself. Being able to step out of the typical gender roles and into sports, they still need to hold on to their femininity. This is shown through the make up that most of the players are wearing, and also the clothes their are changing out of (leggings, etc). Evelyn Gardner demonstrates the duality of roles that is placed on women (particularly now in the new age as well as during war time with men away) to be breadwinner and mother. Ms. Cuthurt is the antithesis to what the era says is being female. When Jimmy Dugan slaps her bottom (a typical thing in male sports) he is treating her like a man, he then jokes and calls her "gorgeous". In his eyes, she is not attractive enough to be female. In addition, when Stillwell is playing around with the athletic tape, Dugan yells, "Get him away from the tape." What he is really saying is someone else take care of the kid, I am a man, it is not my job.
This clip, in a Post Modern view, also tries to answer what it means to be American. The song they sing epitomizes it all. "We are the members of the All-American league." Who is the we? They are all white, and the song breaks it down even more explicitly. "Canadians, Irish ones, and Swedes." Canadians are "Americans" although they are a neighboring country and to my knowledge did not make up a large immigrant contingent. The other two ethnic groups were common place in America society, (albeit the Irish's transition into acceptance is interesting in itself). It is the groups that do not get mentioned that not only demonstrates the current immigrants but also the ones who are "un-American". During WWII German-Americans and Asian-Americans experienced prejudice as their homelands were the enemy, while African-Americans, Native Americans and others still were just not accepted into society.
For the students: World Cup Barbie
Before showing the clip...
What does it mean to be a female, especially in sports?
What does it mean to be American?
Show the clip.
Ask the same questions.
One could say from the feminist perspective that this is very similar to League of Their Own. The Barbie dolls, and even the real actors in the advert are wearing makeup. Even Mia Hamm is wearing make-up even though she is a phenomenal athlete, and does not during an actual game. When the voice over comes in, the girl says "I can be champion of Women's World Cup Soccer." It is a common occurrence that those not in power need to explicitly define themselves. You would not hear a male say, "I can be champion of Men's World Cup Soccer." It would be just World Cup Soccer.
From a Post Modern angle, the question of who an American changes from the previous movie. The real people in the clip are of different ethnicities (or it appears). Also the dolls show a supposed variety of races (by different skin tones, hair colors, and names). It is important to note however another difference between this advert and the movie. In the movie the girls cheer when their "group" is mentioned. Now, the ethnic minorities are no longer mentioned. A color-blind approach is taken and they are all Americans, without regarding any of the differences between them.
This clip shows the Rockford Peaches singing in the locker room before a game. The song they sing and their actions while changing for the game can give insight to what it meant to be an American during WWII and also what role women had in society.
First off, this film reached a large audience, even becoming number one at the box office. Therefore, one can assume that it was received by both males and females. This particular scene demonstrates however, that these women are to be viewed by men. The little boy, Stilwell, has his eyes closed. He works as the signifier, but he signifies the male sex as a whole. His peaking through his hands, is the referent of men being able to view women as sexual objects.
In regards the link to Geena Davis' article, (Eye Candy is Not for Kids), it is interesting enough that Geena Davis actually plays the lead female character in the film. This film goes along with her article, as the story is all about females athletes, breaking perceived gender norms. Geena also points out that female screen writers make up only about 13%. This story was written by a team of women but rewritten for the screen by men.
Looking at this clip as a feminist critique, there are many things it is trying to say. If one was to define what it means to be women based on this particular clip (and the movie as a whole) it is quite clear. While they are playing baseball, they still have to play by "men's rules" so to speak. But there is a slight twist. They have to wear the revealing skirts so they remain appealing to men, which puts them in a vulnerable position for injuries from the sport itself. Being able to step out of the typical gender roles and into sports, they still need to hold on to their femininity. This is shown through the make up that most of the players are wearing, and also the clothes their are changing out of (leggings, etc). Evelyn Gardner demonstrates the duality of roles that is placed on women (particularly now in the new age as well as during war time with men away) to be breadwinner and mother. Ms. Cuthurt is the antithesis to what the era says is being female. When Jimmy Dugan slaps her bottom (a typical thing in male sports) he is treating her like a man, he then jokes and calls her "gorgeous". In his eyes, she is not attractive enough to be female. In addition, when Stillwell is playing around with the athletic tape, Dugan yells, "Get him away from the tape." What he is really saying is someone else take care of the kid, I am a man, it is not my job.
This clip, in a Post Modern view, also tries to answer what it means to be American. The song they sing epitomizes it all. "We are the members of the All-American league." Who is the we? They are all white, and the song breaks it down even more explicitly. "Canadians, Irish ones, and Swedes." Canadians are "Americans" although they are a neighboring country and to my knowledge did not make up a large immigrant contingent. The other two ethnic groups were common place in America society, (albeit the Irish's transition into acceptance is interesting in itself). It is the groups that do not get mentioned that not only demonstrates the current immigrants but also the ones who are "un-American". During WWII German-Americans and Asian-Americans experienced prejudice as their homelands were the enemy, while African-Americans, Native Americans and others still were just not accepted into society.
For the students: World Cup Barbie
Before showing the clip...
What does it mean to be a female, especially in sports?
What does it mean to be American?
Show the clip.
Ask the same questions.
One could say from the feminist perspective that this is very similar to League of Their Own. The Barbie dolls, and even the real actors in the advert are wearing makeup. Even Mia Hamm is wearing make-up even though she is a phenomenal athlete, and does not during an actual game. When the voice over comes in, the girl says "I can be champion of Women's World Cup Soccer." It is a common occurrence that those not in power need to explicitly define themselves. You would not hear a male say, "I can be champion of Men's World Cup Soccer." It would be just World Cup Soccer.
From a Post Modern angle, the question of who an American changes from the previous movie. The real people in the clip are of different ethnicities (or it appears). Also the dolls show a supposed variety of races (by different skin tones, hair colors, and names). It is important to note however another difference between this advert and the movie. In the movie the girls cheer when their "group" is mentioned. Now, the ethnic minorities are no longer mentioned. A color-blind approach is taken and they are all Americans, without regarding any of the differences between them.
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