Week 5 Post: If Facebook were an online store - Would you buy me?

Although I’m at home, I’m also pulling a stupid face on Facebook, having a rant about weddings on Twitter and I’m on this blog presenting my reflections on how new media is a part of shaping life in the 21^st Century. 

I’m finding it difficult to present what Leong (2011) labels a “Global Me” – a projection of myself that is consistent across all media platforms and all facets of life. This leads me to agree with Jessica Monk in refuting Mark Zuckerberg’s claim that, “Having two identities for yourself is an example of a lack of integrity…” (Monk 2011; Zuckerberg in Kirkpatrick 2010, 198).

I find it hard to juggle and align all aspects of my online projection of self.
Image source: http://www.govdelivery.co.uk/portals/building-better/images/JugglingImage.jpg 

What I write and how I write on this blog is vastly different from my Facebook and Twitter pages. At times I can be quite crass when using these platforms. I am also lazy with my spelling and grammar. I treat those platforms as informal means of interaction with people I already know.

Conversely, on this blog I’m articulate and polite in presenting my views because this platform represents part of my professional development. This is how I would present myself in the workplace and therefore, I think it would be unjust for a prospective employer to judge me by my Facebook or Twitter pages alone.

However, if I were to unify and brand my personality, I would like to be an Aston Martin – a head turning combination of power and elegance. Would you buy me? 

Aston Martin DBS: I would base the projection of my identity on the attributes of power, class and elegance.
Image Source: http://www.wallpaper.net.au/wallpapers/automotive/Aston-Martin-DBS-2008-1-1024x768.jpg

Reference List

Kirkpatrick, David. 2010. The Facebook effect: The inside story of the company that is connecting the world. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Leong, Susan. 2011. "KCB206 New Media: Internet, Self & Beyond: Week 5 lecture notes" Accessed April 4, 2011.

Monk, Jessica. 2011. "Narrating Me - Both of Me," in New Media Musings, April 3. Accessed April 4, 2011. http://jessicamonkkcb206.blogspot.com/ 

Week 4 Post: Ethics and Social Media

It seems the debate over Internet ethics is focused on freedom of expression versus protecting the community from vulgar and anti-social behaviour. I believe it is a person’s right to publish and view content, even if I dislike their interests. However, I also believe it’s imperative for the law to intervene when unsavoury content exploits innocent, unconsenting people – especially children. iDave 2.0 (2011) presented a similar view and I think his post regarding this issue is well worth reading.

Hamelink (2006) noted that the speed of digital communication has made it possible for people to commit immoral acts so quickly that no one notices (p 118). This immediacy makes it difficult for the legislature and courts to keep up. Thankfully, one case was noticed and a man was jailed for posting child pornography on pages dedicated to the memories of two children. 

Facebook tribute page of Elliot Fletcher. It was one of the pages defaced early last year.
Image source: http://media.apnonline.com.au/img/media/images/2010/02/16/elliott_fletcher_facebook_160210_fct502x309x120x2_t325.jpg

Leong (2011) questioned if online ethics was a matter of balancing social media’s immediacy with an appreciation of the potentially devastating effects. In this case, it appears there was no balancing act and that the immediacy of social media allowed the offender to make a premeditated attack on grieving families. Such offenders should not push us offline, but strengthen our resolve to pursue a friendlier online community. 

Reference List

Hamelink, Cees J. 2006. “The ethics of the internet: Can we cope with lies and deceit on the net?” In Ideologies of the internet, edited by Katharine Sarikakis and Daya K Thussu, 115-130. New Jersey: Hampton Press Inc. Accessed March 21, 2011. https://cmd.library.qut.edu.au/KCB206/KCB206_BK_313947.pdf

iDave 2.0. 2011. “Week 4 entry,” KCB206 Blog – Ramblings on New Media. Accessed March 28, 2011. http://n6333869.blogspot.com/

Leong, Susan. 2011. KCB206 New Media: Internet, Self & Beyond: Week 4 Lecture Notes. Accessed March 28, 2011. http://blackboard.qut.edu.au