# Reading Responses (Set 2)

# Reading Responses 5 out of 5
**Mar 23rd Tues - Finding someone & living alone**
Swipe right, swipe left, the options are endless in today's online dating world. Due to rapid advancements in technology, online dating applications such as Tinder and Bumble have quickly risen in popularity. Due to the current pandemic, people are craving human connection now more than ever before. Whether it’s seeking a future partner or a casual hookup, dating applications aim to satisfy all of our needs. As explained in [How well online dating works, according to someone who has been studying it for years](https://https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/03/23/the-truth-about-online-dating-according-to-someone-who-has-been-studying-it-for-years/) by Roberto A. Ferdman, “It makes it easier for someone who is looking for something very specific in a partner to find what they are looking for”. People input their personal data and preferences and are presented with various options. Many critiques claim that online dating apps are making dating more superficial since users choose their partner based on physical characteristics. However, “Judging what someone looks like first is not an attribute of technology, it’s an attribute of how we look at people” (Ferdman, 2016). We may fail to realize it, but when we walk down the street or enter a room we automatically look at the people around us and analyze their physical appearance.

Technology enables us to connect with people we would never meet otherwise. However, online dating profiles may be deceiving and inaccurate. An article published on OkCupid titled [The Big Lies People Tell In Online Dating](https://https://theblog.okcupid.com/the-big-lies-people-tell-in-online-dating-a9e3990d6ae2) revealed how “Most of the pictures found on OkCupid were of recent vintage; site-wide the median photo age at upload was just 92 days”. Users try and portray themselves in the best light possible. This leads to users exaggerating their height, yearly income, and physical appearance. In a world of ‘fake’ profiles, it can be easy to feel alone and hopeless.

Contrary to popular belief, statistics revealed that “The divorce rate has been going down for a while” (Ferdman, 2016). Although, this success cannot be fully attributed to online dating apps alone, progress is being made in the dating world. People are no longer rushing to settle down and get married straight away. The rise of hookup culture can be both beneficial and harmful. “I think we have a tendency to assume that settling down is what everybody wants” (Ferdman, 2016) this is an idea we have been conditioned to believe due to social norms. The rise of hookup culture has led to the success of applications such as Tinder. Ferdman (2016) found that “There's a sort of safety enhancement that I think allows people to stop someone else from following them around. It makes hookup culture easier”. Dating apps make it easy for people to connect and even easier to block them and never see them again. However, the constant jump from hookup to hookup can leave people feeling empty and lonelier than before. As explained in [I want to be alone: the rise and rise of solo living](https://https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/mar/30/the-rise-of-solo-living) Eric Klinberg (2012), “There is also good evidence that people who never marry are no less content than those who do. According to research, they are significantly happier and less lonely than people who are widowed or divorced”. More people are thriving while living alone but, online dating apps are improving the lives of those who wish to live life with a partner by their side.

**Apr 6th Tues - Algorithmic Discrimination**
We are victims. Victims of discrimination which we encounter both on and offline. While shopping online many of us fail to recognize that the products we encounter have been carefully catered towards our personal preferences. Due to rapid advancements in technology, the E-commerce world has been revolutionized. Ads are more precise than ever and product reviews are easily accessible. Algorithmic biases are present in popular websites we visit on a weekly basis. As described in [This Is Why Some People Think Google's Results Are Racist](https://https://www.buzzfeed.com/fionarutherford/heres-why-some-people-think-googles-results-are-racist) "People have been flagging racial bias in the search engine's result - but Google says it's only reflecting the way society searches"(Rutherford & White, 2016). Although this comment brushes discrimination off as a social norm, it is still partially valid. The harsh reality is that we have been taught that people of color are 'less than' because of the color of their skin. Google's algorithm uses "the popularity of an image, how frequently it is shared, context such as text around the image and meta-tagging" to generate specific search results. However, we must acknowledge the fact that the biases being reflected by algorithms were first seen in the media and on the internet.

According to [Auditing Algorithms](https://https://personalization.ccs.neu.edu) by Christo Wilson "Algorithms may exhibit racial and gender discrimination if they are trained on biased datasets". We must learn how to program algorithms to make them more socially aware. The goal of algorithm programmers should be to eliminate any type of discrimination and biases within their systems. Algorithms continue to use the data they are presented with to further discriminate against marginalized communities. Price steering can be defined as "the practice of re-ordering search results to place expensive items towards the top of the page" (Wilson, 2014, p. 2). Additionally, price discrimination is "the practice of showing different prices to different people for the same item." Both of these techniques are often used by E-commerce companies to "induce users into spending more money" (Wilson, 2014, p. 1). However, many customers find personalized ads to be too invasive and creepy. I remember a recent scandal in which Target discovered a teenager was pregnant before her own father did. The popular retailer analyzed the teen's past purchases and buyer behavior and came to the conclusion that she was expecting a child. This invasion of privacy is the exact reason why many online shoppers fear marketers and algorithms.

**Apr 9th Fri - Collapsed Context**
"Everyone I see on social media is extremely successful and looks as if they're having the time of their lives" this is a thought many of us have had at one point in time. However, we cannot forget that many users use social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter as a highlight reel. They choose to broadcast their highs and downplay their lows. This toxic, false reality forces people to act a certain way in order to be accepted by others. [I tweet honestly, I tweet passionately: Twitter users, context collapse, and the imagined audience](https://http://www.tiara.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Marwick_boyd_TweetHonestly.pdf) revealed that, "Participants have a sense of audience in every mediated conversation, whether on instant message or through blog comments" (Marwick & Boyd, 2010, p. 2). We often unknowingly alter the way we act and express ourselves depending on who we are communicating with. For example, if our family members follow us on social media we might be more mindful of the type of pictures we post in order to avoid getting in trouble. However, when using social media it can be difficult to distinguish who is actually accessing our content; "In the absence of certain knowledge about audience, participants take cues from the social media environment to imagine the community" (Marwick & Boyd, 2010, p. 2).

In any case, social media users try and present themselves to their followers in the best way possible. However, on certain social media platforms such a Twitter, it can be difficult identify one main audience. "Given the various ways people can consume and tweets, it is virtually impossible for Twitter users to account for their potential audience, let alone actual readers" (Marwick & Boyd, 2010, p. 4). Depending on the popularity and size of one's profile, most people imagine that their friends or loyal fans make up their imagined audience. Making one's social media private does not solve the issue of having multiple audiences. User's can use specific techniques to manage intersecting audiences composed of various types of users. "Twitter users negotiate multiple, overlapping audiences by strategically concealing information, targeting tweets to different audiences and attempting to portray both an authentic self and an interesting personality" (Marwick & Boyd, 2010, p. 9). Constantly worrying of what others will think of you, can make many social media user’s lose their sense of identity.

It is difficult to remain authentic on social media when you are trying to please each member of your audience. You might restrain from posting something due to fear of offending someone who follows you. However we must remember that, “Whether we are viewed as authentic depends on the definition imposed by the person doing the judging” (Marwick & Boyd, 2010, p. 11). Different people express their true identity in different ways. For example, artists express their ‘authentic self’ through their art while writer use their words. Acknowledging the fact that social media does not define who we are is essential in ensuring that we do not let it control us. User’s should not fear backlash and criticism from their followers for simply expressing who they truly are and what they believe in. You should not live your life to please an audience but, to please yourself.

**Apr 13th Tues - Gendered Work**
"Don't believe everything you see on the internet" this is a quote most of us are familiar with. The reality is that while scrolling through social media, we only see what people want us to see. Many digital influencers have a specific reputation they need to uphold. They need to look a certain way and post specific types of content to generate views and build a strong following. However, even influencers need to start at the bottom of the food chain at one point. I was surprised to learn the extent to which influencers are willing to go to, in order to portray a certain image. [Rising Instagram Stars Are Posting Fake Sponsored Content](https://https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/12/influencers-are-faking-brand-deals/578401/) by Taylor Lorenz revealed how "Companies want to see your promotional abilities and past campaign work. So many have adopted a new strategy: Fake it until you make it." It's crazy to think that some of the posts we see on social media are not real sponsored ads. However, this is not surprising since it is very difficult to distinguish between a fake and real advertisements. Lorenz explained how influencers will feature one product in multiple posts to seem as if they have been sponsored by the brand. This may seem absurd to some but "The more sponsors you have, the more credibility you have" (Lorenz, 2018). You need to have a certain online presence for companies to want to send you products for free. This explains why "Staging these fake promotions makes you seem like you're in a position to be getting things for free, which helps you build your brand or media kit" (Lorenz, 2018). However, tricking your followers and brands into thinking you're a major influencer can have negative consequences. Not all brand owners find free promotion flattering. Some brand owners fear that these self-proclaimed influencers will damage their own reputation and overall brand image.

Although social media can have negative consequences, it has also created more job opportunities than ever before. As explained in [Gender and self-enterprise in the social media age: A double digital bind](https://https://reagle.org/joseph/2021/cda/cda-syllabus-SP.html#readings) by Brooke Duffy and Urszula Pruchniewska (2017) "Career-minded women, using technologies that enable them to work from home are able to more seamlessly combine personal and professional obligations". The internet has allowed many digital entrepreneurs to express their passions while having a stable source of income. However, putting yourself out there and engaging in self-promotion is challenging. In the past, entrepreneurship was seen as a male dominated category. However, "Women have always been enterprising, whether through cottage industries or small scale trade; it's only in recent years the topic of gendered entreprenuership has come to the fore, largely through press coverage and social media publicity" (Duffy & Pruchniewska, 2018, p. 8). Social media has now become equally dominated by women. James Cave (2016) who published [How To Be The Best 'Instagram Husband' You Can Be"](https://https://www.huffpost.com/entry/instagram-husband-tips_n_57db0afae4b0071a6e0620c9) explained how "The term 'Instagram husbands' was brought to popularity last year via a satirical video about social media that profiled men who take photos of their wives or girlfriends or Instagram". Social media has become many influencers' full-time job, and contrary to popular belief, it takes time and dedication to cultivate an audience.

**Apr 16th Fri - Bemused**
"2/5 stars, this necklace does not resemble the pictures. The shipping took two extra weeks due to unexplained delays. Would not recommend." These types of reviews can be found on various e-commerce websites. Amazon and Yelp are best known for their customer reviews. I personally always look at the reviews before purchasing any type of product when shopping on Amazon. Knowing that someone else has had a positive experience with a product, reassures shoppers. We often assume that our experiences with a product or service will resemble that of a fellow customer. Just because a customer is not satisfied with a product/service does not mean no one else will have a positive experience. However, the importance of reviews is understandable. As described in [Chapter 7. Bemused: WTF!](https://https://readingthecomments.mitpress.mit.edu/pub/czwl2qwg/release/2), "In the online marketplace we lack the tangibility of a product. We wonder if the product is the right size and color, and we worry if the vendor is honest and will fulfill orders promptly" (Reagle, 2019, p. 5).

Many online shoppers fail to recognize the importance of context and individual perception. However, Stewart Hall's Encoding/Decoding theory explains how "information is not simply transmitted and received. Instead, messages contribute to a constructed meaning that depends on various interpretative frames" (Reagle, 2019, p. 13). It's important to realize that reviews are subjective and therefore should not be the 'end all be all'. Customer feedback is an essential component of the buying/selling process for many e-commerce sites and online retailers. For example, "Helpful product reviews written by Amazon customers are the heart of Amazon.com, and we treasure the customers who work hard to write them. But occasionally customer creativity goes off the charts in the best possible ways" (Reagle, 2019, p. 11). Ironic and sarcastic messages can evoke humor in real life but, on the Internet they can be difficult to detect. Many internet user's post comments without thinking about the consequences of their actions. They fail to realize that, "Online comment is often portable, as well, and transcends space and place as it is forwarded and retweeted. All of this obscures the author's intention - an ephemeral human future in the best of cases" (Reagle, 2019, p. 12). If a harmless message is taken out of context it can cause harm to others. This was the case of Justin Carter who given 5 months if jail time after responding "Oh yeah I'm real messed up in the head, I'm going to go shoot up a school full of kids and eat their still, beating hearts" when his friend wrote that he was 'insane' and 'messed up in the head'. I am not sure what context this type of message would be acceptable in (or if there even is one) but, this shows how digital spaces can quickly alter the meaning of certain messages. To prevent this from happening, "The U.S Secret Service, which is charged with protecting government officials from harm, asked researchers for tools that can detect sarcasm and 'false positives' in threatening online comments" (Reagle, 2019, p. 13).

I was not surprised to discover the effects comments and online reviews can have on users. Since we value people's opinions in real life, it is expected that we will behave similarly in an online context. However, recognizing that not everything we encounter online is accurate is key to being able to distinguish between useful and weird/amusing comments and reviews.

**Apr 20th Tues - Pushback**
Thousands of people are judging your every move. This may seem like a frightening concept but it has become the reality of being on the internet. Although the internet enables us to stay connected with one another at all times, it can feel overwhelming very quickly. The line between technology and privacy is diminishing little by little. Many internet users have decided to disconnect themselves are trying to resist the need to be connected at all times. However, changing one's habits can be challenging especially when using technology is a social norm. [Pushback: The growth of expressions of resistance to constant online connectivity](https://https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/47322/008_ready.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y) revealed how "many technology users who first embraced constant connectivity are now pushing back, looking for ways to resist the constant call to be permanently connected" (Gomez & Morrison, 2014, p. 1). It is evident that over time, users are beginning to notice the harmful effects that technology can have on our mental and physical wellbeing. Additionally, "primary pushback motivations include emotional dissatisfaction, external values, taking control, addiction and privacy" (Gomez & Morrison, 2014, p. 1). We are constantly being bombarded with information, posts, and messages. It is evident that many users are burnt out after being addicted to technology for so long. In order to tackle this issue users have started withdrawing and filtering. Savolainen (2007) "defines withdrawing as avoiding certain types of technology. Filtering, on the other hand, is management of information by weeding out unimportant or undesirable information from chosen sources" (Gomez & Morrison, 2014, p. 6). I personally try and filter my emails and social media accounts periodically. I will delete any emails I no longer need and unfollow social media accounts I am no longer interested in. Most of the time, it feels as if a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. After a while, many social media users get sick of receiving backlash and critiques from others. It can be mentally draining to be so involved in platforms such as Instagram and Twitter.

We need to remember that many people choose to freely express themselves on social media without thinking of how their words may impact others. Leaving a mean comment on someone's post may not seem like a big deal to some, but I can assure you that the receiver will dwell over that comment for days. [Chapter 8: Conclusion: "Commenterrible"?](https://https://readingthecomments.mitpress.mit.edu/pub/4nufia50/release/3) explains the true nature of comments on the Internet and their impact on users. It is essential to remember that the comments we encounter on the internet are not always accurate, logical or reliable. In fact, "insight and wisdom might not always be found at the bottom half of the Web, but it does have a sample of what some people are thinking, right or wrong, offensive or trite" (Reagle, 2019, p. 2).Some users choose to disable their comments because they do not want to deal with an outsider's opinion. However, comments can also be beneficial for a certain type of internet user. For example, "many people find it worthwhile to receive feedback on their creative endeavors, even though they might receive harsh criticism" (Reagle, 2019, p. 7). We need to learn how to put the internet into perspective. We cannot let it control our emotions and actions. We must learn how to control it instead of allowing it to control us.