Hi, My Name Is …. And I’m A Game-aholic

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I’ve never played an online game in my life, but in my high school there was a signifigant number of people who had been in rehab for “gaming addiction”. The kids who were gaming addicts formed a sort of click of dweebs, but the worst part was their nerd status was not even accompianied by high grades. Despite having been rehabbed, boarding school created a low-supervision environment that allowed the kids to stay in their room and constantly game. The need to game took precedent over homework and other normal parts of life. They were constantly late to class and didn’t show up to weekend requirements.

One girl described her addiction to me. She would pretend to be sick to skip school and game, spending more than 15 hours a week hooked up to the controller. I believe her addiction was World of Warcraft, but the signs of addiction are the same for most online multi player games. After being rehabbed and sent to boarding school, her addiction had began to dissipate, but she fell in with a crowd of other gamers– enablers. She began to game again, maybe not to the point of addiction, but probaby more than a former addict should.

This is another problem with gaming. The gamers at my school didn’t have many social skills, and could mostly relate to other gamers. Of course, one of the activities they could do together was game, enabling each other in their addiction.

Other facets of the internet aren’t addictive as gaming. Many people can effectively use informational, social, and recreational sites without getting “addicted”. The game is different in that it creates an entire world where you can be what you want without the social constructs of normal life. This reminds me of the movie “Vanilla Sky” with Tom Cruise. Cruise’s normal life is in shambles so he signs up for a program called Life Extension, which allows him to live in a perfect lucid dream world. Real lucid dreams are difficult to accomplish, but in the game you can live in that perfect world without having to surrender conciousness. Just like with alcohol and drigs, where you enter into a different, some believe more tolerable state with substances, the game lets you leave real life and forget all your problems.

Week 8

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The article stated that youth that are growing up in the digital age are self-centered consumers who ignore the importance of privacy and who also steal and plagiarize. BUT they are also promoting tolerance, freedom, diversity, innovation, and political awareness. Because humans are not perfect but also strive for a better life, I see some truth for this all. Especially on tumblr. I used to religiously go on tumblr when I was around 18-19. I did not care about the NSA (I used to say..”if I’m not doing anything wrong…”) and did not care that everything is filtered and made to sell us SOMETHING. I cared about new clothes and fashion and bought whatever I wanted without being aware of anything important. I haven’t used tumblr in a while but recently I was on my sister’s computer and decided to just scroll through her feed. I think a lot of the youth might be more self-involved (aka I saw a lot of selfies, personal posts, wishlists, etc) but they are very educated as well. I saw a lot of discussion about race, feminism, equal rights, and there was overall a lot of awareness. The youth is not perfect and to expect them as such is ridiculous. My sister is growing up in the digital age more than I am but I see so much intelligence, especially compared to my own 18-year-old self. The internet is a new platform where the youth can express themselves in ways that were not possible before. They are forming communities (which you can see on tumblr) and engaging in exchanging ideas and thoughts. I think people are calling the youth self centered/etc because they are so exposed in the internet whereas before many would just write in their diary (as we’ve mentioned before). I have faith in my generation and the younger youth.

Instagram As Art

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http://www.vice.com/read/is-instagram-a-legitimate-artistic-medium

This comprehensive report, “Digital Natives With a Cause?” by Nishant Shah and Sunil Abraham attempts to defend the best intentions of digital natives and seeks to contribute to the current lack of academic literature about the identity of Generation Y. We are described as “without agency, solipsistic, and hedonistic, thus dismissing his cultural interactions and processes as trivial, and implying he lives for indulgent consumption and personal gratification.” The constant criticism is heard quite clearly and remains ringing surprisingly well within our young ears for a generation supposedly diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. We’ve managed to utilize digital communicative technologies to expose ourselves on the Internet and place our vulnerable selves onto mainstream pedestals for all to see. Children are finally being seen as well as heard and the adults don’t like it. I appreciate Shah and Abraham’s efforts to support us digital natives and to even perceive the complexity of digital natives as an area that demands imperative research.

Despite all the self-gratification we digital natives like to indulge in through likes and comments on social media platforms, we are actually left insecure about ourselves due to a lack of acceptance from our main role models, the adult community. Powerless, self-centered, and self-indulgent are stereotypes we’ve been sentenced to bear upon our identities. Even when young artists take initiative to challenge social media and disprove the illusion of an absent-minded generation, their efforts are dismissed and satirized. The Vice article features an Instagram artist who constructed a pseudo-representation of herself through her posts in an attempt to, “reproduce[d] our obsession with self­-branding to show that we don’t present ourselves through Instagram, we create selves through Instagram, using a series of cultural and material markers of identity.” The artist, Amalia Ulman, even titled this performance as “Excellences and Perfections” and follows this movement of post-Internet artists like Ryder Ripps who seek to “unsettle our comfortable relationship with technology.” Vice, a cultural source produced mainly by digital natives, diminishes the significance of Ulman’s performance, ending the article on a sneering, sarcastic note. I can understand on both ends, why Vice treats this artist as someone lesser than a traditional performer as well as why Ulman’s performance remains so intriguing and casts a point. What I do not exactly understand is where this contradiction emerges from. Digital natives themselves seem to be walking paradoxes, embracing technological growth at one point and attacking those who provoke it the next.

Ghetto Gangnam Style

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As we discuss race in cyberspace, many sources, hashtags, and videos come to mind. Theresa M. Senft and Safiya Umoja Noble wrote a very insightful article about the touchy, complicated, but substantial concept of race and how it is ideologically understood, and how the notion has progressed within the networked world. As an anthropology major, the concept of race has been addressed many times in lecture and discussion; Senft and Noble discuss how it now refers to nationality, religion, ancestry, class, and biological categories, to say the least we really don’t have any clue on how properly digest these socially constructed divides. It is important to state how this concept shapes individual thinking, and effect how humans are being treated. There is a hope that we are now in a post-racial era, as those differences have become invisible, however this hope is almost impossible. We live in an ocular world: our vision is the center of how we digest and understand the word. Every view is convert, coded, and cultural. If anything I believe our world has become more visual, which highlight the differences by segregating behaviors of those who, as the authors say, are undereducated, under motivated, and underemployed. But what can we do this “othering” that occurs with every glance.

 

One important source of media that was addressed was the use of videos to embrace a culture. These videos use humor to bring light to issues, and hopefully progress the way we categorize and understand other cultures. I know a gentleman name Todrick Hall, who graduated from my high school, and also directed a play I was involved in. He creates videos that use comedic relief to hopefully defuse “racial” differences. The authors say that many of these videos are made to gain back the misplaced superiority, people want to not be labelled but instead create their own description. This parody music video is one of my favorites, and within days had reached record numbers. The video has transformed the culture from the original video, and was filmed right in LA, with the last shot being filmed in my high schools theatre. It addresses many stereotypes that revolve around black culture. Please enjoy Toddy’s Ghetto Gangman Style! 

 

Not about that #BOBALIFE

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Race and Social Media states that theorists argue about race as a verb, “pointing out that it is through the process of racialization that we ‘race’ others in out minds eye, giving them a label that corresponds or contrasts with the one we give ourselves.” The article goes on to point out a consequence of this racialization being negative interpellation, “where we feel uncomfortably noticed and made visible.“

Reading Race and Social Media this week hit close to home for me this week–figuratively and literally.

A few others in the class have already discussed Asian Americans in social media, and I’m sorry to have to contribute to that. I really don’t mean to be redundant, but when reading this week, it reminded me of my hometown’s portrayal on Youtube in the recent years—most notably by Youtubers The Fung Brothers. This duo’s channel focuses heavily on all things Asian American—or at least what they categorize as such. The example I want to point to is their music video “626,” a parody of Snoop Dogg’s “Young Wild and Free.”

 

 

The music video basically highlights all the “best” parts of my hometown, the San Gabriel Valley, which almost exclusively consists of boba shops and Asian restaurants. Although I do agree my hometown is filled with great food options that can make any food blogger happy, my hometown is much more than just boba. Okay, let me first state, I hate the Fung Borthers. This hatred started when this music video first came out; and from then on, their channel continually consists of nothing but stereotypes of Asian Americans—almost caricatures of Asian American identity. We drink boba, we eat pho and dim sum, we somehow all have the same upbringing with strict parents, we wear the same brand of clothes, we all dance/sing, etc.

 

In regards to this week reading, I do feel negative interpellation from Youtubers such as the Fung Brothers because it, in a way, rubs it in people’s faces that what they portray is representative of all Asian Americans. The article this week brought up an important discussion to me—is social media too racialized? Where should the line be drawn when it comes to Youtube videos such as “Sh*t Black/Asian/Hispanic Girls Say”? For channels such as the Fung Brothers, although I’m happy (to an extent) that the Asian American minority is given a chance to represent themselves in popular culture, relying on just the fact that you’re Asian American may not be the right way to go. I am more than just the food my culture eats. I am more than my area code. My area code is more than just Asian food. So why are Youtubers like the Fung Brothers focusing so much on race for views?

 

One last thing: I am not about that #BOBALIFE or #that626. I hate boba.

Week 7: Anti-Social Media

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It’s kind of funny how the Internet was once considered a great “equalizer,” as it has ironically progressed to create the infamous “digital divide” and technology gap that many societies struggle to close. Senft and Noble reference in Race and Social Media that although society associates racial stereotyping with a negative connotation and fears being labeled as “racist,” our communities are ultimately uninterested in abandoning racial groups because it’s our social reality. Not only is this true in public environments and social settings, but it is also found true online. Racial stereotyping, segregation and targeting are found even more abundantly online. Although part of the intention of the Internet was created to close the gap between cultures with different socioeconomic statuses, it has evidently created a larger gap between racial groups because of its anonymity. Some may consider this a form of empowerment – the act of providing people with technology to spread ideas – however, not all online activity promotes well-being and positive racial interaction.

A newly categorized term of racist commenting and promotion online has been dubbed “anti-social media” for its obvious reasons to detract from normative online conversations and interactions and instead create unnecessary messages and hype about race and profiling. This article by DiversityInc concludes that over 10,000 racist and derogatory tweets are posted per day, with 30% of them being directed towards a specific individual or a group. As social media platforms have grown, so has room for new perspectives and opinions on the appropriate usage of these various media. Who are we to limit the free speech of an individual online? However, what does it say about us if we don’t do anything? This sticky situation is one that many online users find themselves in on a daily basis. According to the concept of interpellation, individuals categorize themselves based upon others’ reactions to their specific racial group. Although this is more of a subconscious thought, how is that fair or equal to assume the stereotype others have put on you? For me, the best thing I would suggest is to stay out of it, but for you brave hearts, maybe you can take the chance and make a change to let people decide for themselves which group they want to belong to, aside from others’ beliefs for once.

 

Re-evaluating Post-Modernist theory: Alexander Galloway

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The Galloway text that we read for class spends a lot of time discussing the ways in which the Internet and digital world has presently faced us with a reality that was not properly noted in earlier post-modernist theories. Post-modernist theory places emphasis on the existence of a hyper-reality, in which the individual’s subjectivities or narratives are tended to resulting in a diminishing of reality, or the ability to describe or depict such a reality. It is in this post-modernist and theoretical state that no theories can be universally proven true, as reality is no longer understood as being mirrored by the human but rather enhanced and abstracted as it operates and co-exists with the human need for self-understanding. Thus, reality does not exist objectively, but is inextricably bound to interpretation and subjectivity. In the text Galloway argues the opposite. Though he doesn’t refute the existence of subjectivity, he believes that the individual subjectivity is guided or subjected to the greater power or authority of a universal ruling system. Alexander argues that there is a displacement of racism or race, as it has been moved from the real to the hyper-real or online. Its passive and subtle existence doesn’t call for direct attention, but its existence, nonetheless, points to a more suppressed urge.

Much of what Alexander argues and theorizes is related to ideas concerning technological determinism. For Alexander, technology has assumed a role in which it enforces these oppressive universal rules. Race is no longer directly confronted but is instead absorbed and diluted into a medium that distracts from its hard and compacted core. Alexander, by drawing attention to the inaccuracies of former post-modernist theories, he calls for a re-evaluation of what it is that post-modern thinking should concern itself with. The idea of sovereignty and authority should never be disregarded. These concepts have liberated themselves of the human form and now exist in the abstracted realm of hyper-reality.

Week Seven: Kara Walker’s A Subtlety

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This week’s reading kept reminding me of the artist Kara Walker’s “A Subtlety or the Marvelous Sugar Baby” , which is “a Homage to the unpaid and overworked Artisans who have refined our Sweet tastes from the cane fields to the Kitchens of the New World on the Occasion of the demolition of the Domino Sugar Refining Plant.” Consisting of a massive, sugar-coated sphinx-like woman and a number of figures of small boys made of molasses holding heavy baskets, the work has provoked much discussion about selfie culture, race, and sexism.

Many art critic’s have praised the work for it’s powerful message which Cait Munro says, “meant to serve as a commentary on the sugar cane trade, and a cultural critique of slavery and perceptions of black women throughout history, the work is part Sphinx, part racist Mammy stereotype, and is coated in sugar. It features exaggerated features including breasts, a bottom, and a vagina. As Walker told artnet News, ‘Nudity is a thing, apparently, that people have a problem with; not slavery, or racism, but female bodies, or bottoms.’” This can be seen from the incredible number of tasteless Instagram photos that can be found under the hashtag #KaraWalkerDomino. Many critics were deeply offended by the inappropriate selfies, and as Yesha Callahan of The Root writes, “History has shown us time and time again how a black woman’s body was (and sometimes still is) objectified. From the days of the slave trade to even having black butts on display in music videos, the black woman’s body seems to easily garner laughs and mockery, even if it’s made out of sugar.” While many people agreed that these Instagram photos could be seen as such, Alyssa Rosenberg of The Washington Post writes, “If we reveal ourselves to be corrupted, immature or unprepared at ‘A Subtlety,’ the exhibit itself reaches back to corrupt us, too. You can get very close, and even touch the statues, but you do so at cost. To look inside a basket, to pose with a small figure or to try to ascertain the outline of an eye or mouth under dripping, molding sugar, you have to step in the zone of the statues’ ruin.” I feel like the discussion surrounding Walker’s work, especially due to it’s popularity on social media, definitely highlights many aspects of this week’s readings in regards to race, and starts a crucial online and offline discussion.

Check here for more interesting reactions to the work:

https://indypendent.org/2014/06/30/why-i-yelled-kara-walker-exhibit

http://www.theroot.com/blogs/the_grapevine/2014/05/reactions_to_kara_walker_s_a_subtlety_proves_even_in_art_a_black_woman_will.html?wpisrc=topstories

http://flavorwire.com/482585/kara-walker-knew-people-would-take-dumb-selfies-with-a-subtlety-and-that-shouldnt-surprise-us

“If Black People Said the Stuff White People Say”

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After reading this weeks in Senft Noble’s Race and Social Media, it reminded me of a youtube video where race roles are reversed. In the article they discuss how racist acts in the media are highlighted in a way to not include the rest of the society and how almost the rest of society is not racist only the person who performed that act.

However, I feel like there are small comments everyday that occur that maybe people don’t realize that they are saying that are somewhat racist.

This video illustrates that in itself, by having black people say typically phrases they would hear but reverse and saying them to their white friends.

I thought this video was humorous but also illustrated a good point that a lot of the time there are comments made everyday that highlight race and while they may not seem outright racist maybe to others they do.

In a way I was also thinking does this show that there is racism a well towards white people, because of they way they are portraying them to act towards their friends…anyways just a thought I had

Gamers Against Bigotry is hacked… by gamers in favour of bigotry

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“A site which opposed racist, sexist language in online multiplayer is repeatedly taken down by hackers.”

 

I found an article related to bigotry in gaming. Posting below:

http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/sci-tech/2012/07/gamers-against-bigotry-hacked-gamers-favour-bigotry

 

Below is what I got out of the articles:

This weeks reading really had me reflecting on the online communities I am both a part of and that I am researching for my project. As a gamer myself I have regularly witnessed bigotry when playing online. Be it in a first person online shooter like Destiny or in a fantasy world massive multiplayer game like World of Warcraft. I have never paid too much attention to it because I was so used to hearing the foul language that it came in one ear and out the other. Now that I’m spending time reading about it and considering bigotry online, particularly in games I am starting to see racism within my own online communities.

In one of the games that I am playing for my research project there is a big emphasis on playing with other people. I am currently playing Final Fantasy XIV Online, and as anyone familiar with the Final Fantasy series would know, playing in small group parties is vital to progress in game. Within the game there are different races to choose from, ranging form elves to cat-like people, to humans and much more. One thing I have noticed is that the human character is the most popular chosen race. I have playing for about three weeks now and in this time just about every character I see, regardless of race, is designed with fair light skin. With so many possibilities and character customizations, it baffles me that people go to the norm of playing as a generic white human in game. Even the elf characters and the cat people I see are light complected. Worse is that the NPC, the computer based non player characters are all light complected from what I have seen so far.

Another aspect in game where race comes in to play is in the linkshell/free party system. A linkshell or a free party as an in-game community in which players can have a separate and private chat log exclusive to members of the specific group. These groups are generally specific to certain interest group such as LGBT players or characters of a certain language or level group. Within these communities discrimination is now allowed and I have experienced people expelled and banned from such in game communities.

This idea of gold farming is definitely present in the game I play, from Final Fantasy Online to Grand Theft Auto 5 co-op. Micro transactions in game and the purchase of in game currency from third party sources is a big business. I have a friend who admits to having spent real money on in game money to further the abilities and overall stats of his character. This also takes me back to the post/discussion in regards to Chinese people being paid to improve app download rates and statistics.

Back to the question of bigotry within online games. Yes I believe it exists, I say this because I have witnessed it. The use of game headsets and keyboards further allows players to express themselves. Often I find these instances more so in action games, primarily first person shooter games. The competitiveness within games can lead to radical expressions of emotion. I can’t say that the language used is of innate negative nature, it is more so a burst of expression without thought of actual words used. I see this as a cultural trend where the expression of aggression is deemed acceptable in western cultures. Only now that race is being considered online are there more precautions and safety a to what is acceptable and appropriate to say. Unlike posts and statuses, words said out loud, as in over a headset, can’t be taken back. This had made me consider to be more aware of what I say both online and in my personal life.