Here's some feedback on the presentations from our last class...
Jayne's discussion of cyber cheating through Facebook was a thought provoking topic. It inspired me to take the topic further and question the lines of jealousy and privacy within a relationship. Some of the questions that crossed my mind are: as technology becomes a main source of communication and social networking, do we in turn become dissociated from our personal connections? Where does the trust lie in our relationships when we need to worry about who our partner is texting and communicating with through technology. In another light, how much freedom and trust do we need to leave with our partner? The lines of privacy become blurred within the internet and social networking sites such as Facebook as is. Technology does not necessarily encourage one's partner to cheat but does make it simple. Our partner can be so discreet with deleted texts and personal passwords so that we may never know who they are connecting with. This is yet another area where technology and socialization become blurred because the face of cheating has changed through discreetness.
Niquesha's discussion surrounding homophobia being linked to Black communities through the church was complex. This brought to my mind the discussion after Still Black where a statement was made that homophobia is mostly present in Black religious communities. However, as David noted, we must consider why only Black religious communities are depicted as homophobic. As mentioned in class there are numerous faiths which are known for being extremely homophobic yet these are rarely mentioned. For this topic I believe that establishing who benefits from creating Black communities as homophobic is very important to addressing the overall topic. What purpose does it serve that White religious communities that are homophobic aren't judged as a whole while Black religious communities are? As Courtney said, "the Black community can be whatever you'd like them to be." Could this be just another distraction so that homophobia appears more acceptable and/or less of an issue within particular religious communities? While keeping this important side of the issue in mind I believe we can then begin to examine the representation of queerness within Black communities and the role religion does play in this, not because we can truthfully say "black communities are more homophobic and religious" but we can recognize the forces contributing to this stereotype and what the reality looks like.
Danielle's topic regarding women in video games was also extremely interesting due to how mainstream "gaming" has become. While some can acknowledge that media such as pornography desensitizes consumers to violence and objectification, the argument that "it's only a game" is prevalent. When we only regard these images, games, and videos on the surface level it entirely ignores the psychology behind our consumption. Video games do not exist in a vacuum, they exist within a culture that promotes rape, dehumanizes women, and encourages violence against women. Our consumption of these video games and depictions of women is not mindless, our brains register and respond. When we normalize the concept of women as not "real" characters but sexual objects or "bitches we can fuck and kill" that is stored within our mindset. These concepts do not appear in video games out of creativity nor do they appear in the attitude and actions of others out of thin air. This topic is incredibly interesting because it's reckless to ignore the messages we receive through mass media.
Rebecca's topic on the power we invest in doctors brought to my mind how medicine and health have become a business. This idea is not only related to doctor visits but health insurance and prescription medicine. Our country spends an incredible amount of money on products that are meant to alter our image or make us healthier. However, how much faith do we put in the word of a doctor since health care has become commercialized? Are we cared for by our doctors or simply another dollar sign? Technology has played an essential role in the divide between health professionals and the average person as information has been made accessible at all times on the internet. I would also consider what role the digital divide has in relation to this topic. I specifically wonder if those who do not have access to a vast amount of information are less likely to object to a doctor's wishes. Is it technology or the concept of being a dollar sign that has many individuals questioning the accuracy of health professionals?
Dana's topic on pregnant women using the internet for advice relating to health care brought to questions to my mind that were similar to those in relation to Rebecca's topic. I think it is important to consider why there is so much mistrust in the medical community that many turn to the internet. Also, is the information we are receiving quality? Or are we looking to find websites that confirm our personal opinions? This topic was presented in the manner that having the ability to retrieve information through the internet is empowering to women who do not have to rely on health professionals. While I do view this as empowering because women can connect with one another and do research on their own, I'm always skeptical of idealizing the internet. For this topic I'd also be interested in what role the digital divide plays, if any.
Emily's topic addressed how racism and homophobia that appears online in social networking and dating websites. As discussed in class, the creation of the internet was thought to be groundbreaking because of anonymity. One would have no race, class, gender, or orientation while interacting with others on the internet. As I've mentioned in regard to video games, technology does not exist in a vacuum outside of culture. We clearly see instances of racism, sexism, and heterosexism on the internet that reflect our "real world" back to us. For this topic I think it would be interesting to analyze the disconnect between our conception of the internet and the real world. There seems to be a strong divide where people feel they have a life on the internet and then a "real" life. Perhaps this is why many are so skeptical to believe that these real life "isms" hold a place on the web?
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