Our phones are telling us how to look
The connection between digital media and body image is undeniable. Throughout our development we have been reminded over and over about the negative implications of media on our self-image: there are ample opportunities for comparison; a constant flow of beauty consumer culture; and the denormalization of all but a few body types. If we are […]
Validation Through Digital Numbers
I’m sure most people here are familiar with some form of social media that depends on the use of digital numbers to show engagement. Whether it be likes and follows on Instagram and Twitter, or downvotes and upvotes on Reddit, or comments and shares on Facebook, everyone who has been on some social media platform […]
Alone Together
You have probably experienced it before. You are in an environment with other people, perhaps they are your friends and family, and not a word is spoken. You’re all on your smartphones. MIT professor Sherry Turkle writes about this phenomenon in her book, Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each […]
An Example of Mobile Tech in the Field of Medicine
Although the role of mobile technology is still emerging in the field of medicine, it is inevitable that it will become a mainstream complement to Western and traditional medicine because of our increasingly connected culture. As a society, we are used to having limitless information at our fingertips, but it can be very overwhelming and […]
Ray-Ban Stories; the “always-on” society?
Technologically-enhanced glasses have seemed like a “holy grail” of sorts in the technology world. From Star Trek to Dragon Ball Z, the idea of technologically enhanced vision seems always on the precipce of development, and yet, even the mightiest of tech companies who have tried it have succumb to failure (anyone remember “Google Glass”?); perhaps […]
An Invitation to Engage with the Web Monetization Community
Hello Everyone, Since I just shared a post on the digital cultural movement that is Web Monetization, I thought I’d invite anyone who wishes to discover more of that community, to our virtual community gathering on Wednesday September 29th at 8 am PST / 11 am EST / 5 pm CET, seeing as I am […]
Creating a More Equitable Web for Digital Creators
The past year, I have been fortunate enough to partake in a new mobile / digital cultural movement that is emerging in an endeavour to make the digital sphere a more equitable place for content creators with a focus on empowering underserved communities. The movement I speak of is that of Web Monetization. And no, […]
Always On Culture
The mobile world keeps us connected at all times and all locations. For good or bad, we always have our phones on us, and we expect it of others. Because of this, when we send a message, we expect an instant response. We know the receiver probably already read it on their phone, so why […]
The Problem with Influencers
Influencers have flourished in the last decade. Mobile platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok, YouTube, Snap Chat have facilitated influencers to build parasocial relationships with their followers. A parasocial relationship is when one party is invested in the relationship while the other party stays happily unaware of their existence. Unlike traditional celebrities, who are […]
Cancel Culture
Over the past few years, the idea of a person, brand, or even show being “cancelled” has become a polarizing topic of debate. “Cancelled” refers to the public backlash fueled by social media to culturally block a person, company or thing that has been deemed of committing wrongdoing from having a public platform. Calls to […]