10.24.2014

Module #7

Murmur Study from Christopher Baker on Vimeo.

We tend to think of Twitter posts and Facebook status updates where we share how we currently are feeling as something sort of temporary; our feelings change so will our status. I find it very interesting that Baker takes these "feelings" and turns them into something tangible which can be archived.

It's also fascinating that the installation is continually growing and updating in real time while being viewed in the gallery. It would really be something you would want to view and read for a while rather than most art in galleries where one may look at a painting for a few seconds or minutes then move on to the next.

I would really enjoy seeing this "waterfall of feelings" in person.

Twitter Is Turning Into a Cyberbullying Playground

10.16.2014

Module #6

1). Why do you believe that the selfie has taken off as a worldwide phenomenon?

I think selfies are so popular for three reasons. 1. We have cameras with us at all times now. 2. The more we see them, the more we are alright with taking one ourselves rather than viewing them as narcissistic. 3. Feedback! Humans love talking about themselves and getting positive feedback about their looks.

2). Can a selfie be a work of art? Why or why not?

I think selfies themselves are not necessarily considered art but I think anything can be art if put into that context. For instance, my featured artist, on 9-7-14 used her selfies to create very meaningful art.

10.10.2014

Module #5

Zeynep Tufekci explains in his essay that teenagers are not becoming anti-social because they're using social media; they're anti-social because they're teenagers and social media is a way to help them through it. Social media definitely has it's up sides for helping youth connect; however, it is not always used with the best intentions. Teens feel free to say what they think on social media because there is a level of anonymity, but this also means that they feel they can get away with bullying others using social media as a platform. Since they can bully others even while being alone, they don't think they can get caught and they don't have to see the victim being affected making them feel empathy for the person. Below is a chart of statistics showing how prevalent cyber-bullying has become.