Wednesday 16 September 2015

Surveillance through social media




In my video my topic was surveillance. I decided to focus specifically on social media as a form of surveillance. I spoke about two different ways that information from a persons social media profile can be monitored and used by other sources. First I spoke about how websites such as Facebook can access personal information from its users and sell it to advertising companies. They then use the information to target marketing campaigns or specific products towards users based on their characteristics. I also talked about how users are able to monitor other users, for example, parents looking at their children's profile or potential employers looking at potential employees to see if they are appropriate for the job. It was also mentioned that partners or friends are also likely to keep an eye on your profile. For the conclusion I stated that you should be wary of who may be viewing your profile even though it is an outlet to be yourself.

I mainly used footage of myself talking which were filmed using the webcam on my laptop. I did film some of my own videos which were filmed around where I live/go to university. for this I used my mobile phone and uploaded it to my computer to add everything together. I also used a number of screenshots from my Facebook profile. I also created my own introduction and ending music. Unfortunately I did not use any creative commons

From the compulsory reading 'Public Intimacy and the New Face (Book) of Surveillance: The Role of Social Media in Shaping Contemporary Dataveillance' by Baruh and Soysal I developed an interest in the how social media can can used as a form of surveillance. I then continued my research to find out what information is available to others and who has access to information you have put online. I only used a small number of references, however I feel they offered quality information.

I found a lot of things hard during this exercise. It was the first time I had ever made a video and was unsure of how to put together a video with different aspects such as video, audio, putting text on screen. I am quite unfamiliar with iMovie, but managed to figure out how do some of these basic things. I also found it hard to create content that was completely original which is why a lot of the video is just me talking. Because anyone who is named or identified in any of the content must sign a consent form finding different material was difficult. Luckily I didn't have to get the ducks consent. I avoided having to do this because it adds another aspect to the whole process. I also had to make sure when I used screen shots of my Facebook profile to not have images or names of anyone else in the photo. I struggled with trying to sound enthusiastic. My voice is quite monotone and boring and don't think that viewers would remain engaged. I have learnt from this exercise the importance of being organised. I didn't really take into account how long it would take me to learn how to make a video. I also learned to double check your work. It wasn't till I uploaded the video to youtube that 2 references in my reference list had were not listed and one in text citation didn't work. Although I have fixed it now.

I think if i was more organised with this assignment I would have don't a much better job with less mistakes and would have enjoyed the process a lot more.


Share/Bookmark

Sunday 9 August 2015

The online version of me. The real me?


Being overwhelmed by interactive online platforms.Image used with Creative Commons permission, Wilgengebroed, https://www.flickr.com/photos/wilgengebroed/5514783718/ accessed 4 August 2015

Smith and Watson say that ‘identity is often regarded as a set of components of personhood, such as markers of gender, race, nationality, class, sexuality, generation, family genealogy, political belief and religious affiliation’ (2013).  Online platforms such as social media sites and blogs are often used to show ones identity. But how accurately can a Facebook profile reflect someone’s true personality? With the number of available online platforms, people can show different versions of themselves. We are able to actively and deliberately alter how we are seen and show the identity we wish to portray (Gabriel, 2014).

 I would describe my online presence as minimal. The last time I posted a status was years ago, and pictures are kept to a minimum. I don’t feel the need to post everyday, even though I use social media multiple times every day. I’ve recently been told I’m ‘hard to stalk’ on Facebook. I pride myself on this because people who I don’t want to access information about my life cannot. However it also makes me think that the online version of me does not correctly depict who I am.  Below is an infographic which shows my most used online forums and the size of circle referring to which functions I use most on these sites.

Infographic made using Easel.ly

As we engage with others our online presence is co-constructed. They are linked to our friends and family etc. (Smith p. 71) Much of how we are depicted in social media is from the view of others. Such as tagged photos and statuses. Although our Facebook profile is considered ours, much of it are posts from those we associate with. Therefore our online identity is not only developed though ourselves, but through others. Although each individual can alter the privacy settings of their own pages, sometimes the privacy settings of others can impact on your online identity. No one can ever be sure what information about them is online because ‘neither the archive nor the database has a fail-safe delete button for past tid bits of the self’ (Smith & Watson). It’s reasons like this that I don’t constantly update my online information and daily movements. Therefore, because people can only see parts of my life through the online activity of others I don’t think my online profiles correctly represents my real life self.


Screenshot of my Facebook profile
This screenshot of my Facebook profile shows how private I am on this site. I choose not to show my relationship status, my position at my job, contact details, when I started and will finish my degree, where I currently live and I only just recently made my birth year available for my friends to view.  Most photos on my timeline are ones I am tagged in and I frequently hide things from my timeline.

Another reason people, myself included, may decide to post certain information and refrain from posting others is due to the approval of friends. The number of ‘likes’ on an Instagram post or ‘retweets’ on twitter often measures the success of a post and the way a person can be perceived. In reseach conducted by Mascheroni, Vincent and Jiminez it was found that many young people feel compelled to look perfect in every picture they post online to make them feel accepted by their peers (2015). This is one reason why I don’t think the online version of me reflects my real life identity. Not long ago I was trying to think of a witty caption for an instagram post, but once it was past prime posting time and I had thought of nothing and it was too late to post. But how can there be a time that’s ‘too late’ when you’re able to post anytime.


Family members and employees can have access to our social media sites, blogs etc. with a simple Google search or being a ‘friend’ or ‘follower’. It isn’t uncommon for people to adjust their profiles based on who can see it. Smith and Watson asked the question: ‘who benefits from the accumulation about users?’ (2013). It makes you think about whom you update your profile for. Names are often changed when applying for jobs so employees cannot find them. Or you mightn’t post that silly video of yourself because you wouldn’t want Grandma to see it. The fact that I, and a lot of other people don’t update their personal online profiles because of what others think makes me even further realize that what can be found online cannot completely define me.  Below are the only two tweets from my personal twitter account. I rarely use twitter, as I don’t see the need to always update people with what I’m doing.

The only 2 posts on my Twitter account

An online Identity is not just defined by what’s on your profile but what is on the profile of whom you follow. Who we follow can give a larger insight into who we are or who we want to be. I follow a number of fashion and lifestyle bloggers on instagram because I’m interested in the fashion industry and wish that I was a freelance blogger who got paid to eat at nice restaurants and post pretty pictures about it.  The following screenshot is of my Tumblr page. I feel like this is where I can channel my creative side and post about things that interest me, which are more similar to the blogs and people I follow, without feeling self conscious about posting on my Facebook or Instagram that is accessible to my friends.

A screenshot of my Tumblr page

If you don’t judge a book by its cover, don’t judge a person by their online activity. ‘Online sites gather, authorize and conserve the version of self a user is assembling’ (Smith & Watson, 2013). This version may not always accurately depict a person’s real life identity and can be interpreted in different ways by different people.
(984 words)


References:


Gabriel, F 2014, ‘Sexting, selfies and self-harm: young people, social media and the performance of self-development’, Media International Australia, no. 151, pp. 104-12, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 2 August 2015.

Mascheroni, G, Vincent, J, & Jimenez, E 2015, '"Girls are addicted to likes so they post semi-naked selfies": Peer mediation, normativity and the construction of identity online', Cyberpsychology, pp. 30-43, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 2 August 2015.

Smith, S and Watson, J 2014, ‘Virtually Me: A Toolbox about Online Self-Presentation’, in Poletti, A and Rak, J, Identity Technologies: Constructing the Self Online, The University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, pp. 70-95, eBook Academic Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost, viewed 2 August 2015.


Share/Bookmark

Saturday 26 April 2014

I'm back at Uni!

This isn't exactly current news. I've been back for 2 months now! Here is a list of things I've been doing/excuses why I haven't written a blog post in a long time:

Cheerleading started again
Mystery bus tour on a party bus
Making new friends
Creating new drinking games
Bruno Mars Moonshine Jungle Tour
Decorated my room
Made a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume
Playing mixed netball
Started watching Breaking Bad
Saw Passenger busking
Trying new recipes
Colour coordinated my cupboard
Did the Kokoda 1000 steps memorial walk
70's vs. 90's themed uni night
Started knitting a scarf
Trying to keep herbs alive in my room
Went to a trampoline park
Made a hair wrap
Started learning guitar




I'm thinking of doing a tutorial on how I made my hair wrap. We shall see

Lau
xx

                                                INSTAGRAM | TUMBLR | TWITTER
Share/Bookmark

Sunday 16 February 2014

Summer Go To Outfit





When it comes to easy outfits, I'm all about it. Comfort mixing with fashion is like a dream come true. The shorts are the Siren Short from Nobody Denim. I adore this brand. First of all they are Melbourne based and second, they are super comfy. I actually lounge around in my denim shorts and Cult Skinny jeans. Not to mention they smooth out all your lumps and bumps, make your but look great and make you feel fabulous!

The top is from Tigerlily and is the most flattering shape. The neckline is quite high, but the back scoops down into a V shape about halfway down your back. The way it floats around you makes it perfect to wear over bathers to the beach. I actually wore it to the beach at Ocean Grove and crossed paths with a girl wearing it too. Made from the softest fabric, I have washed it copious amounts of times and it still feels like it did the day I bought it. The necklace is the chain link faceted collar necklace from Lovisa. It has a mix of different coloured metals and glass bead detailing around the edges and is a perfect statement piece. The colour of the glass beads at the top match perfectly with the Tigerlily top.

The shoes.  Ahh the shoes. As you can probably see I couldn't wait to get these babies out of the box and onto my feet, hence the disgusting feet marks. But there is an unreal story that goes along with these. So I just happened to see a photo on instagram that was re-grammed by a fashion label and it had these shoes in it. I screen shot it and a few weeks later when my sister and I were shopping in Barwon Heads I remembered I had to show her the photo of these shoes that I loved. I knew she would love them too, but I had no idea where to get them. It just so happened the next shop we walked into, there they were. It was fate. They had to be mine. I haven't wanted to take these Sol Sana  Camilla sandals off since.

Lau
xx



Share/Bookmark

Saturday 1 February 2014

Watch Wishlist

Arghh! It's already been 2 weeks! Time flies when all you do is work. I can tell you I'm certainly looking forward to going back to University at the end of this month.

Speaking of time, this post is about my watch wish list. I have never really owned a watch which I find odd since I hate not knowing the time. Seriously, there have been times I tried to make some form of a sundial with a stick in the ground to know around about what time it was.

I generally rely on my phone to know what time it is and so do a lot of people. But when you don't have your phone the first people you turn to to see if they know the time is a person wearing a watch. There is something so elegant about a watch. The people who wear them seem to be those not so enveloped by modern technology.

The Horse
The Australian brand The Horse is created by Scott and Amy who mainly focus on creating the perfect leather shoe. But the Sydney couple also use their craftsmanship to create beautiful timeless watches which are so popular that every single design on their website is sold out at the moment.

Photo from The Horse

This Matte black & Tan leather watch is a minimalists best friend. A simple watch that will go with anything. Male or female, it would suit both. I am considering buying this watch for my Brother's 18th Birthday this year when I comes back into stock.


Be Optimistic And Thankful creates watches from sealed wax. The wax is melted, dripped onto the dial  and stamped to create the pattern of the face - similar to how letters were once sealed. You are given all the options under the sun when purchasing one of these babies. You can choose a number of different colours of the case, face, hands and strap to make your watch as unique as you are.

Photo from Be Optimistic & Thankful

You can choose an original face or a number face. The Number face reminds me of the Tic Toc biscuits I used to eat as a kid. The design, also being quite simple uses the colour to make a statement. They are the perfect watch to add a pop of character to an outfit while still remaining classy.

The watch of all watches. Daniel Wellington was named after an English man who was gentlemanly but still relax and unpretentious but most of all, had impeccable style. The brand itself intrigues me. Can you imagine meeting a man halfway round the world that would have so much of an impact on you, that you would spend your life creating a brand in his name?  

Photo from The Pepin Shop


The thing I love about these watches is that the face is huge! The strap is always simple and a bit quirky and seems a bit mismatched. If you didn't see one you would think it would look ridiculous. But It looks surprisingly sophisticated. They are very 'business in the front, party in the back' and thats what makes them unique. 

Lau xx


Share/Bookmark

Sunday 19 January 2014

Surviving 46ºC


It is for this reason that Summer is my least favourite season. During the heat wave this week I was cursing our air conditioner for not working properly and trying not to melt when I walked from the house to my car.

Luckily I was given a few days off work. So my Brother, Sister and I drove to Ocean grove for a day at the beach. 

It is located on the South Coast of Victoria. Only about a 1.5 hour drive from Melbourne


I woke up an went for a walk on the beach. The weather was perfect. It made me think how if I lived at the beach I would without a doubt go for early morning runs or a swim. Even ride a bike along the tracks behind the dunes. 

By the time I finished my walk it was already boiling and it was only 9:30am.

I spent a good 4 hours at the beach. No matter how much sunscreen I had on I still managed to get uncomfortably sunburnt.

Ocean grove is adjacent to nearby town Barwon Heads. The two only being separated by the Barwon river. The small town has a main shopping strip with the most gorgeous boutique stores. Post coming up in the next few days with what I bought!

We then returned to Ocean Grove and I couldn't help myself when I saw Serendipity D'Lites Frozen Yogurt shop. Fro-Yo is my weakness! I got raspberry and pomegranate yoghurt with good old original yoghurt and fresh strawberries on top. 

                               
But that didnt stop me. I got yoghurt again for breakfast the next morning when I ate at The Dunes cafe over looking the beach.

                             

                         

Later that day we headed back into melbourne to watch Serena Williams vs Daniela Hantuchova and David Ferrer vs Jeremy Chardy at the Australian Open tennis grand slam.

                               

I wrapped my entire body in a towel to protect my burnt skin from the sun. I was actually sweating just sitting in my seat it was that hot! But it was totally worth it to see Aussie Casey Dellacqua win and progress to the fourth round.

 I won't bore you anymore with my love of yoghurt and  complaining about the heat. I will say that I am very very greatful for the cooler weather this week!

Sorry for the terrible photos, I forgot my good camera so had to make do with my phone.

Stay tuned for my post on what I bought in Barwon Heads!

Lau xox

Share/Bookmark

Thursday 2 January 2014

Spring Racing

As you can tell by the title this post is well overdue, as it is now well and truly summer.

I love the races. The fashion, the champagne, of course the horses matter too. But primarily I love seeing what the celebs are wearing to the race that stops a nation.

A spring racing outfit should be elegant and flattering. Girly and fresh.

If I had all the time in the world, I would have put a bit more of an effort into my outfit. However the country racing carnival that I attended was a bit more low key than those at Flemmington.





Keepsake Rebel Heart Playsuit


Skin Hello Midnight, Claudia Optic Shoes



Make sure to comment if you like my outfit!

Lauren
x
Share/Bookmark

Theme created by PIXEL HAZE DESIGNS