We choose an online magazine as the pop culture form to critically look at the social issue that we kind of discussed in our group discussion which is fake news nowadays. We thought it was an easy effective way to present our work. Also, it is accessible for the audience and straight to the point because they can get the point of the magazine without having a hard time. In addition, the challenging thing was organizing the work as a magazine because we divided the work equally between all the members, and each one of us would work on a part that he thinks would be creative doing it. Designing a website will always be difficult for me but eventually I made it. I choose to give examples about games that it’s related to our topic. After hearing the broadcast and discussing in the class how games are not just a way to waste time, I found it really interesting to dive more about games and fake news. I think the games that I found are really interesting and worth the try.
I really agree that creating a pop culture form to discuss a current event in society change the way I view or interact with the pop culture I consume because it is a completely different way than making a typical presentation. Creating a pop culture form would give us the opportunity to use our talents and what the group is good at to present the work. It is obviously much more creative but needs more effort at the same time. However, working with a group made it way easier because there would be less work for each member, and we would come with a productive result. Also, having few classes dedicated to work on the project was really helpful because it is hard to find a suitable time for everyone to meet up outside the class because almost everybody is busy at the end of the term.
Finally, I really enjoyed to my other classmates doing their project they all did a great job. To be specific I really enjoyed the short film “Cookies” by Jason, Daniel, and Jason I found it really creative, hilarious, and the massage was delivered smoothly. Another group that did an amazing was Paw, Lioda, Carina, Karina, Khadjia group. They discussed unfortunate thinks that unfortunate happens everyday like racism. Closing our eyes and imaging the scenario was really delivering the idea.
Social media are interactive computer-mediated technologies that enable the creation and sharing of information, ideas, career interests, and many other forms of expression through the use of virtual communication networks. It is through social media that information spreads to people rapidly across the world (Lorem, 2016). Social media is made of many categories, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat. Though there are many categories of social media, information can be passed from one category to another under minimal time. All the categories of social experience millions of users, which makes it easy for information to be altered by different people.
Fake news is a form of information that consists of deliberate disinformation that can be spread through social media. People create fake news to benefit themselves in one way or the other. Digital news, which includes social media, has increased the usage of fake news, and sometimes people do not understand that they are spreading fake news. Information may look legit which lures people to share on social media, not knowing that they are spreading fake news. It is advisable to be sure with the source of any information before going ahead to share it on social media since it can cause issues and raise unnecessary alarms.
Social media has become a common way to communicate with family and friends and to help people stay updated on their daily lives. People spend most of their time on social media, which has made it a more comfortable and convenient way to pass and get the news quickly. At first, people thought that social media will be a platform to help them speak and stop the agendas and propaganda that most TV channels and newspapers were still doing. However, with time, it has become evident that social media is equal to the newspapers that were used to spread one-sided fake news to people.
Role of Social Media on Spreading Fake News
For fake news to be most effective, it has to be spread through social media to ensure that it reaches a receptive audience. People that create fake news would spam the news on social media as they are sure that it would reach the majority of the people easily. People on social media quickly spread fake news because the platforms have given a chance for the news to be spread by people. For instance, Facebook would use signals to approve messages to other users. Research shows that psychologically, more Facebook likes about a post and more thumb upvotes, and views about a video on YouTube show that someone’s information is authentic and meaningful to the users. It changes the minds of other readers to believe the information that they are seeing and may end up sharing information that is not right to other users. When information has more likes, shares, or comments is likely to get more attention from other social media users, making it more liked, shared, or commented. The pattens of this action are what lead to the spread of fakes news online as users think the information they are accessing is legit and acceptable.
Whether information is fake or not, it is likely to receive attention as people are unable to differentiate between fake and real news. Research shows that people are more likely to spread fake news more than real news. It happens so because fake news is made to be attractive and have made of a language that would make people not to believe that the information is fake. Many times, the information has information that sounds too good, making people believe it. For example, for someone looking for a job, the fake news would show that they expect to get high salaries and expect more benefits that are all looking goo (Tandoc et al. 2018). The people creating fakes have a target population, they understand what is going on, and they make the news look as if it is real to the intended people. From research conducted by Vosoughi et al., it is seen that 70% of Twitter users are likely to retweet fake news than true stories. The research also shows that reading fake news produces anxiety, amazement, shock, and repulsion (Vosoughi, 2018). Fakes news does not only relate to politics, but also technology, science, and business as these are the areas that affect people more, and they would catch their attention.
The other way of spreading fake news on social media is through the use of bots. Browser cookies and history are used to a personality profile that would help to spread fakes news that would be most receptive to each person. In addition to millions of people on social media, there are also millions of Bots and robots on social media. Bots are there to help propagate fake news on social media and inflate the popularity of the fake news. Social medial platforms have become the home of millions of bots that enabling the spread of fake news. Research shows that there were about 23 million bots on Twitter in 2017, 140 million bots on Facebook, and about 27 million bots on Instagram. A hundred and ninety-nine million bots just on three social media platforms are more than half the number of people that live in the United States. Since these bots are machines, they can help to propagate fakes news more rapidly than people could do. It also makes it difficult to trace the actions of these bots as they are not the run to replicate data now and then. The bots could even give fake likes to the information posted on social media to show its legality.
Bots are not physical entities like the R2D2 in Star Wars. They are kept in social media platforms created by someone with computer programming skills that comprise of nothing but codes. Therefore, bots are computer algorithms that work on social media to execute tasks autonomously and repetitively. Bots can simulate the actions of human beings on social media; they interact with other users and share information and messages. Due to the algorithms that are incorporated in the bots, they can learn from responses people post online in the social media platforms on how to respond to some situations. Bots have artificial intelligence capabilities that enable them to discover different situations and finds ways to respond. The spread of fake news by bots is possible because the bots have the capabilities to search and retrieve non-curated information on the internet. The bots on social media can post data continuously, spreading information that is yet to be validated. They make use of trending topics and hashtags as the main strategies to reach a wider audience, which helps in the propagation of fake news. The action by these bots tends to work because social media users tend to believe what they see, or what is shared by others without questioning.
People understand that different people have different interests. Therefore, the fake news spread would be in line with the interests of a person. Some people would also set social media accounts with the aim of spreading fake news. The accounts do not have personal information as these people do not want to be known (Bovet & Makse, 2019). Fakes news aims to reach the intended people and have an impact that was desired. It is good practice to ensure and confirm that information being seen is from a trusted source before believing. Otherwise, most of the information on social media is fake news that one cannot tell its origin. Everyone on social media has their intentions, and it is difficult to tell whose information is right.
Conclusion
Social media and fake news need close attention to ensure it is dealt with accordingly. Managing millions of online users on different social media platforms can be challenging, given that the information is updated regularly, and there are no explicit measures to deal with fake news. Though some countries have strict rules concerning people spreading fake news, sometimes it can be challenging getting the exact person who created the fake news for it to be spread. Therefore, innocent people may be prosecuted for information that they thought would have been legit. Countries need to put robust measures in place to educate people on the importance of double-checking news before having to share since it can be costly in case it is found to be fake news. Fakes news can be alarming when it lands on the intended person, and they get to understand that the news was to intimidate them. From this research, it is evident that social media has played a significant role in the spread of fake news. Still, social media platforms have not put measures in place in a place that can help deal with fake news. Therefore, it is a personal responsibility to ensure that everyone is not involved in the spread of fake news using social media.
References
Bovet, A., & Makse, H. A. (2019). Influence of fake news on Twitter during the 2016 US presidential election. Nature communications, 10(1), 1-14.
Lorem, J, C. (2016) what is fake news? Its origins
Tandoc Jr, E. C., Lim, Z. W. & Ling, R. (2018). Defining “fake news” A typology of scholarly definitions. Digital journalism, 6(2), 137-153.
Vosoughi, S., Roy, D., & Aral, S. (2018). The spread of true and false news online. Science, 359(6380), 1146-1151.
That Dragon, Cancer, an exploration game released in the year 2016, is based on a family set up. It was create by Ryan Green and others. It explores his experience of raising a son who had a terminal cancer disease at a very tender age of twelve months. Being an autobiographical game, it reveals chilling moments undergone by the parents as they struggle to raise their son with a naked reality that soon or later he was to succumb to the disease. The adventure and art based video game evokes emotional, sad and depressing experiences as witnessed by those who have watched the game (Tanz, 2016).
In this video game which is heavily stylized, human characters appears as cartoons a technique which makes the experience more intimate. With its constant shifting viewpoints, the player is allowed to be both the observer and the participant. The video takes revolves around the toll Joel’s treatment has on the parents and the park on world edge. The park has bottles filled with water which contains messages. The messages are meant to be in memories of those found in Joel’s situation. The parents’ internal emotional feelings are depicted in the location setting in the game.
I am a great video game fan, but honestly, I have never played such an emotional game before. I felt sorry for Joel and also the family. It is a sad ordeal and painful to watch a young soul battle with the dragon, Cancer,
In how the games moves our emotions the design, Katherine Isbister shows how different how game creators figure out different ways to bring out actual feelings from the jaded corridors of our psyches. In her book (How Games Moves Us), the creators take human desire and capacity and turn all that into meaningful interaction with the computers and via computers with other humans (Tanz, 2016). A video game has its own ways to provoke powerful positive emotions, chills and transformative experiences that change how we see ourselves and other people we play with video games. They represent variety and range of emotional territory they cover, thus creating emotions, empathy and positive emotional experiences. These traits are revealed over time. In her five minutes interview Katherine explained that games influence emotions and social connections with playful thinking series (Futter, 2014).
In the “That Dragon, Cancer”, video game, terminal pediatric cancer is told in a profound and moving way. This video has driven parents in tears, especially those whom have found themselves in the same tragedy. It is highly rated and won an award at the award-winning TYFPfilm (Futter, 2014). The video has been shown to be massive and powerful which makes any parent despair and feel frustrated. Accordingly, it has a healing power, not only to those affected by the disease but also anyone trying to make sense out of the situation.
In my own perspective and interpretation of the game “That Dragon Cancer” is an abstract or rather an autobiographical portrayal of the developer’s battle with helping the son Joel who is undergoing terminal cancer treatment. It is a beautiful and unforgettable game ultimately shows incredible work of art. It is Fearless, honest and profound (Morrison, 2016).
Transcripts from the interview revealed that, video games can be able to evoke feelings and emotions. Asked if a computer games can be able to make someone cry, the professor said that not only would it make someone cry, but also emphasize, grief and laugh.
Tanz, J. (2016)“Playing for Time”. Wired.
Futter, M. “Joel Green, Inspiration For That Dragon, Cancer, Passes Away At Age 5” Game Informer, 2014.
Morrison, A. “That Dragon, Cancer out now”. Gamer, 2016.
March Book trilogy was written by congressman John Lewis. He is an American icon and one of the key figures on the civil rights movement. Lewis was the youngest leader of the civil right movements and he lead a lot of Freedom Rides that challenged the segregation cross the south. He was always being arrested and beaten up but that didn’t stop him for fighting for what he believes in. I read the third book of the series and it starts with with the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, which kills the lives of four young girls. It ends up with with the 1965 Voting Rights Act being signed into legislature.
Through the book, I walked step by step with the historical events that happened and it shaped our concept of the civil rights. The book shifts between the events smoothly and fun to read and keep up, I don’t think that I would keep that same interest in the events if it was a documentary or a historical 400 pages book. I learned a lot about the efforts that maid for the Right to vote Act. It was beautifully written and illustrated and the language, design, and art made the story come alive for me. Black and white color made it a greater experience because it showed more violent emotions that I felt. I really enjoyed March Book 3 it made learning about historical events really interesting and made history comes to live.
Comics Journalism
In the beginning, reading essays from Journalism and Rolling Blackouts was a great experience. It was my first time to read journals in comics way. They way when I read and see the art made me get the idea easily and feel the situation as I was there. The topic, How comics journalism brings stories to life written by Rui Kaneya details on how Darryl Holliday and E.N. Rodriguez of the Illustrated Press illuminates on societal problems. These writers use mainly based in Chicago, Illinois tend to shed a light on the crimes and violence that is happening around them. For example, a story of a daughter to a Chicago local, Nortasha Stingley was murdered in June 2013. This story was comically written to try and preclude crime in the society. Another article of the topic, Comic Journalism, Comic Activism written by Jared Gardner talks of how people ignore graphic literature due to how they are perceived superficially, with their fiction-like topics.
Joe Sacco as a profound graphic non-fiction novelist is given little credit in terms of his work. He has done a lot of pieces that describe what happens in local communities and the world at large in a graphic novel format. The use of comics or graphic novels to propagate awareness on societal issues, is a noble way to show and tell. The cartoon-like characters will help drive the information home. Journalism and Rolling Blackouts were similar, regardless to the approach both authors were using, the message being convey was vastly similar.
Ms. Marvel
I chose Ms. Marvel which was published in 2014. The main character’s name is Kamala Khan who is Marvel’s first Muslim character to headline her own comic book. The author of the book is Wilson American Writer who spent her twenties living in Egypt and worked as a journalist. She started her writing career when she was 17 years old. Also she has written the world’s best superhero comics as known as the-XMEN Superman and more The comic book Ms. Marvel showed some aspects of social issues like discrimination and bullying . For example, how Khan and her friend as Muslim characters are treated by others in the community . Specifically , Khan’s friend who wore a hijab which is a scarf to cover hair was treated negatively by a girl who was mean to her and had a comment about her hijab.
I chose this book because I wanted to know how a Muslim culture would have an impact on a superhero character and how that changes their identity as a hero Khan somehow understood how her identity before she got her powers is important and she wanted to go back to who she was at first.
The global impact of pollution and misinformation on the marine life in the oceans, seas, and rivers has led to a pattern of wildlife destruction and mass pollution of the water bodies with oils, plastics, and other organic wastes from industries. The Blue Planet documentary series has however, been at the forefront in educating the masses on the life below the seas, creating awareness on new species unknown to science and has also been influential to institutions dealing with research aimed at ways of sustaining the ocean and the endangered species.
The Blue Planet series is produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), narrated by David Attenborough and directed by Alastair Fothergill. It is a compelling documentary that explores the oceans through state-of-the-art equipment such as microlights, submersibles, and underwater photography. It has support from various marine institutes and marine scientists who analyze the data collected and expound on it to enable the documentary to have not only an informative outlook but also an intriguing aspect that can create a social impact on the environment.
The series is a keen agent of social change, especially on issues related to plastic pollution. It has bagged several awards such as the Emmy Awards for the best cinematography and music, and also it has been nominated and awarded The British Academy Television Awards for its rich content and graphics. Its music, composed by Hans Zimmer and several bands and orchestras such as BBC Concert Orchestra has enabled the film to illuminate human empathy towards nature and garner support for environmental organizations and charities such as Wild Wide Fund for Nature.
The documentary has attracted public interest in nature due to its marketing strategies that involve partnerships, offering frequent interviews and presentations, forwarding books related to its content and providing copyrights for the Deep Blue Film. Books written from the series include The Blue Planet: A Natural History of the Oceans by Andrew Byalt and Martha Holmes. This book and many others have created a public engagement that has resulted in Institutions such as the University of Southampton reporting a massive registration of students undertaking marine courses. This social impact is significant in a move to protect the marine life amid aggressive productions and pollution across the globe.
Blue Planet documentary has offered several solutions through its series on how to manage the environment in relation to marine life. It has often agitated for the plastic ban which BBC, the British government, and the Chinese government are working to ban. It has created public engagement especially on social media, as the masses are drumming support for orphanages and marine parks through funds and research. It has also created a social phenomenon where people are appreciating marine life and want to be identified with it.
The documentary can be measured on social impacts since it addresses social issues relating to the environment. The documentary is compelling, engaging, and generates social change on the masses. It’s resources and track impacts have thrust to the public, thus connecting the audience to political campaigns on climate change and marine pollution.
My name is Abdullah Aljabali and I am from Kuwait. I am a Sophomore majoring in Accounting. I chose the pop culture course because it sounds interesting to and fun to me. Writing a blog isn’t a thing I thought I would do, but maybe I will like it at the end who knows.
To start this with complete honesty, I am not a big fan of literature and reading books, but I read news articles. I tried reading some novels but it always ends with me watching the adaptation series or movies of it, just like the TV show Game of thrones and the novels that was adapted from it. There are couple of aspects that affect my decisions in terms of what I use or buy. Most of the time I care about people reviews. I know people have different views or ideas or taste in fashion, food, books, and games, but still some reviews open my mind for areas that I might be forgetting about it. Also, advertising is important and will affect a lot, but not me. Most of the times if I saw a product that is over advertised I will hate it because I find it annoying.
Popular culture can be referred to our relation to the entertainment industry, basically our consumption through commercial media so it will reach a huge and diverse majority of people. Also, it can be approached from what we do normally. There are many reasons why a person will engage to the forms of popular culture such as buying clothes or new devices. Peer pressure tops the list, as far having a sense of belong goes, not to feel left out, to join a certain crowd. For instance, listening to certain genres of music can define your age bracket, watching certain movies/ films defines your inclination to a particular culture
Popular culture and consumption have gone together since time in memorial. Consumption as opposed to popular culture doesn’t depend on the other but does to marketing and advertising. The way people consume things, is because of the different underlining reasons that cause us “people” to do so. For instance, certain items are consumed as is the right thing to do or as prescribed in cause of medicine, however, this had developed a culture of addiction with a few people. Consumption has also been propelled by the income people have. People who earn a lot, consume a lot of products regardless of their nature as compared to those with less.
Marketing and advertising has also played a big role in consumerism. Many business and industries have used marketing and advertising in a way to increase the customers’ margin since this will generate revenue and in turn contribute to the GDP.
Abdullah's Blog 