scholarly journals From the families we choose to the families we find online: media technology and queer family making

2022 ◽  
pp. 146470012110595
Author(s):  
Rikke Andreassen
Keyword(s):  
Online Shopping ◽  
Baby Boom ◽  
Reproductive Technology ◽  
Online Media ◽  
Media Technology ◽  
Donor Sperm ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Media Practices ◽  
Families Of Choice

Since the mid-2000s, a number of Western countries have witnessed an increase in the number of children born into ‘alternative’ or ‘queer’ families. Parallel with this queer baby boom, online media technologies have become intertwined with most people’s intimate lives. While these two phenomena have appeared simultaneously, their integration has seldom been explored. In an attempt to fill this gap, the present article explores the ways in which contemporary queer reproduction is interwoven with online media practices. Importantly, the article does not understand online media as a technology that simply facilitates queer kinship; rather, it argues that online media technology is a reproductive technology in its own right. Drawing on empirical examples of media practices of kinning, such as online shopping for donor sperm and locating ‘donor siblings’ via online fora such as Facebook, the article analyses the merging and intersection of online media and queer kinship. These analyses serve as a foundation for an exploration of contemporary kinship and the development of a new theoretical framework for contemporary queer reproduction. Empirically, the examples are from single women’s (i.e. solo mothers) and lesbian couples’ family making. Using Weston's work on ‘chosen families’ as a backdrop for discussion, the article describes families of choice in light of new online kinship connections. In particular, the article focuses on online-initiated connections between donor siblings and how such connections can re-inscribe biology as important to queer kinship. Furthermore, it closely examines how media technology guides queer reproduction in particular directions and how technology causes becoming as a family.

scholarly journals Media Innovations, User Innovations, Societal Innovations

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axel Bruns
Keyword(s):  
Media Ecology ◽  
Media Technology ◽  
Media Audiences ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Technology Innovations ◽  
The Status ◽  
Societal Changes ◽  
The Media ◽  
Contemporary Media ◽  
Media Practices

As the Journal of Media Innovations comes into existence, this article reflects on the first and most obvious question: just what do we mean by “media innovations”? Drawing on the examples of a range of recent innovations in media technologies and practices, initiated by a variety of media audiences, users, professionals, and providers, it explores the interplay between the different drivers of innovation and the effects of such innovation on the complex frameworks of contemporary society and the media ecology which supports it. In doing so, this article makes a number of key observations: first, it notes that media innovation is an innovation in media practices at least as much as in media technologies, and that changes to the practices of media both reflect and promote societal changes as well – media innovations are never just media technology innovations. Second, it shows that the continuing mediatisation of society, and the shift towards a more widespread participation of ordinary users as active content creators and media innovators, make it all the more important to investigate in detail these interlinked, incremental, everyday processes of media and societal change – media innovations are almost always also user innovations. Finally, it suggests that a full understanding of these processes as they unfold across diverse interleaved media spaces and complex societal structures necessarily requires a holistic perspective on media innovations, which considers the contemporary media ecology as a crucial constitutive element of societal structures and seeks to trace the repercussions of innovations across both media and society – media innovations are inextricably interlinked with societal innovations (even if, at times, they may not be considered to be improvements to the status quo).

The development and application of new media technology in news communication industry

2021 ◽  
pp. 002072092199659
Author(s):  
Hong Guo
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
Data Storage ◽  
News Media ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Information Storage ◽  
Media Technology ◽  
Communication Industry ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Tv News ◽  
New Media Technologies

Many new media technologies have emerged in modern society. The application of new media technologies has impacted traditional TV news media, which not only faces great challenges, but also brings some lessons for the development of TV news media. New media technology relies on powerful information processing technology and data storage technology to develop and grow continuously. Compared with traditional news, new media technology has more powerful information storage capacity and dissemination capacity. Firstly, this paper briefly introduces the concept of new media technology, summarizes the typical characteristics of new media technology, and analyzes the existing problems in the application of new media technology in the news communication industry based on the necessity of applying new media technology. Finally, some Suggestions are put forward based on this, hoping to provide some reference for the development of news communication industry.

scholarly journals On Frogs, Monkeys, and Execution Memes: Exploring the Humor-Hate Nexus at the Intersection of Neo-Nazi and Alt-Right Movements in Sweden

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-165
Author(s):  
Tina Askanius
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Online Communities ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Online Media ◽  
Extreme Right ◽  
Visual Content ◽  
Visual Aesthetics ◽  
Resistance Movement ◽  
Media Practices

This article is based on a case study of the online media practices of the militant neo-Nazi organization the Nordic Resistance Movement, currently the biggest and most active extreme-right actor in Scandinavia. I trace a recent turn to humor, irony, and ambiguity in their online communication and the increasing adaptation of stylistic strategies and visual aesthetics of the Alt-Right inspired by online communities such as 4chan, 8chan, Reddit, and Imgur. Drawing on a visual content analysis of memes ( N = 634) created and circulated by the organization, the analysis explores the place of humor, irony, and ambiguity across these cultural expressions of neo-Nazism and how ideas, symbols, and layers of meaning travel back and forth between neo-Nazi and Alt-right groups within Sweden today.

scholarly journals Dramaturgia nowych mediów i performans postcyfrowy. Projektowanie doświadczeń użytkownika we współczesnych sztukach performatywnych

2021 ◽  
pp. 107-123
Author(s):  
Jakub Kłeczek
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
User Experience ◽  
Performing Arts ◽  
Experience Design ◽  
User Experience Design ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Digital Performance ◽  
Performance Artists ◽  
The Face ◽  
Media Practices

The paper aims to answer the question – to what extent is the current reflection on user experience design in performing arts still valid? The text discusses the concept of post-digital performance (Causey); and the phenomenon of user experience design in the face of new media dramaturgy (Eckersall, Grehan, Scheer). From the perspective of these concepts and phenomena, I describe two works (To Like or Not to Like by Interrobang and Karen by Blast Theory). The text complements the discussion on performance artists’ approaches to media technologies. In this paper, I describe the changes in designing the relationships of performers and users (individualization and personalization) and the contexts of everyday media practices in artists’ strategies.

scholarly journals Pear Square: Design And Development Of Inclusive Digital Media Technology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Legros
Keyword(s):  
Digital Media ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Academic Accommodations ◽  
Current Development ◽  
Media Technology ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Development Processes

This project investigates the development process of accessible digital media technologies using Pear Square, a web platform aimed at assisting post-secondary students with their academic accommodations, as the research basis. Current development processes are contextualized by identifying relating concepts and resources that demonstrate approaches in creating accessible systems. The research process consists of technical analysis of several accessibility tools and their influence on the development processes of websites, such as colour and contrast or screen reader functionality for people with low or no vision. The development of the Pear Square platform consists of identifying key user-case scenarios and ensuring the developed features accommodate current accessibility standards. Through the analysis of the development process of Pear Square, the objective of this research is to assess current development technologies and propose future solutions that enable efficient accessible development processes.

scholarly journals Islamic Perspective on Social Media Technology, Addiction, and Human Values

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Talat Zubair ◽  
Dr. Amana Raquib
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Islamic Law ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Human Values ◽  
Ethical Framework ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Media Technology ◽  
Value System ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Human Value

This paper discusses the design features deliberately used in social media technologies to cause behavioral addiction, while outlining how this addiction leads to altering, reshaping and redefining of basic human values such as contemplation, well-being, mindfulness and connectedness that bring about social, psychological, cultural and ethical changes in human existence. The paper sheds light on how the altering of the human value system goes against the values and principles of Islamic law by citing Qur’ānic verses, prophetic traditions and teachings of Islamic scholars. Currently, there are no frameworks, laws and/or strategies that view social media addiction from a metaphysical perspective and in terms of human worldview and existence. Hence, as a solution, our paper introduces an ethical framework for designing social media technologies using the objectives of Islamic law that discourage a social media design with indefinite ends and encourage a design methodology with well-defined objectives and consequences.

scholarly journals Political super branding through the use of social media technology : the Barack Obama presidential campaign in 2008

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Nadas Ramachandra Pillay
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
New Media ◽  
Barack Obama ◽  
Media Technology ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Political Campaigning ◽  
American President ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Media Channels ◽  
Social Media Technology

This study seeks to examine the exponential growth of social media technology as a key component in recent American political campaigning, as well as its use and impact on the larger disciplines of marketing and branding. Adopting the approach of a case study with the focus firmly on the current American president, Barack Obama, the study identifies the key media and technologies used in the build-up to the 2008 American presidential elections in order to unpack and understand how such media channels, technological platforms and patterns were successfully utilised. References are also made to the concepts of ‘branding’ and ‘super branding’ in the discussion, and to the myriad ways in which social media has helped create and roll-out what has since become commonly known as ‘brand Obama’. To provide a framework for the discussion and in order to further understand the rapid growth and proliferation of social media on the political campaigning landscape, a comparison is made with the 2004 American presidential election campaign. This, it is posited, will assist us understand the drivers of new media technologies especially as they are used to create and impact positively on the growth of political super brands.

scholarly journals Radio in The Midst of Technological Development and New Media: Case Study of Delta FM Broadcasting Segment ‘Siaran Lagu Cinta’

MEDIASI ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-53
Author(s):  
Putri Surya Cempaka
Keyword(s):  
New Media ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Internet Technology ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Media Convergence ◽  
Media Technology ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Radio Broadcasting ◽  
Broadcasting Industry ◽  
Radio Broadcast

This article discussed radio broadcasting technology in general and how the industry is relatively resilient amid the development of other media technologies today, such as the Internet. Internet technology is able to present number of social networks through social media that are interactive, direct, and user generated. In addition, the Internet forces conventional broadcasting industries such as radio to penetrate digital mechanisms by practicing radio streaming. Radio broadcasting also add this type of interaction to their listeners, for example through websites, blogs, vlogs (video blogs), Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook accounts. This integrated conventional media technology and new media is often called media convergence. By using qualitative approach and descriptive method, this paper explained a case of media convergence by one of the radio broadcast station in Indonesia that is Delta FM. As a result, Delta FM presents its broadcasts with the help of new media in order to survive in the broadcasting industry amid the current widespread use of new media.

Interlude

2019 ◽  
pp. 57-60
Author(s):  
Rachel Chrastil
Keyword(s):  
Family Size ◽  
Baby Boom ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
History Of

During the baby boom, childlessness plummeted; at the same time, more couples planned and limited their family size. The baby boom included both an increase in the number of children born per woman and an increase in the percentage of women having children. Many women had children all at the same time. Women born around 1935 had the lowest levels of childlessness on record in Europe and America. In one respect, however, the baby boom provided continuity: these parents nurtured the belief that they could and should plan their families. This chapter details the history of childlessness during the years of the baby boom.

Platforms as Emergence

Media in Mind ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 97-122
Author(s):  
Daniel Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Media Technology ◽  
Media Technologies ◽  
Ontological Emergence

This chapter discusses the concept of the platform, which is an increasingly prominent way of understanding the functioning of media technologies. It traces the philosophical, disciplinary, and ideological implications of theoretical and critical works that characterize aspects of media technology, at varying scales, as platforms, in particular in the developing subdiscipline of “platform studies.” It challenges the ways that the concept of the platform naturalizes the functioning of media. It shows how the concept of the platform relates to the idea of ontological emergence. It argues that the platform would be more useful in describing epistemological emergence. This chapter argues that an understanding of the platform in terms of ontological emergence erects unnecessary divisions among media, media technologies, and users. It challenges the idea that platforms must necessarily be computational or even technological.

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