Author Archive
Traveler’s Log Article: “Where the Road Takes Youâ€
Surprise, Surprise
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My ideas on starting my traveler’s log were pretty structured, or so I thought. I started my journey packed with preconceptions, snug/smug in my own beliefs. Already surmising my findings in my head, before I had a chance to actually explore the topic(s) and themes I encountered.
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Disability and New Media
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Case in point:  my first foray into new media explored how those with disabilities were empowered by the ability to produce, distribute, and interact with not only their own community but the overall public sphere. Organizations like ConnecTV, profiled in my first post, were exemplary models of how new media is able to bring together disparate communities, united for a common cause. By providing resources and media training to the disabled, these organizations facilitate the inclusion of these seldom-heard voices/perspectives.   And when they were heard it was through stereotypical/condescending depictions. Advances in production have made it possible for content to be produced economically, and new media has enabled the global distribution of this content (YouTube), as well as fostered discussion around it.
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Arguably, advocates for the disabled were found in the most unlikely places. As an irreverent source of social criticism, South Park, also took on and challenged media portrayals of disabled characters (Timmy, Jimmy, et. al), and considered them just as worthy of mockery as the rest of the cast of South Park characters. In this aspect, South Park producers used new media to not only promote their own content via their own website, but also incorporated a character’s disability (wheelchair and all) into an online game. This unapologetic inclusion was surprisingly welcomed and encouraged by the disabled audience, who in turn were able to express their sentiments/opinions through new media (blogging).Â
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Textual Harassment and CyberBullying
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Unfortunately, my renewed faith in the good of human nature was tempered soon enough during my next foray into new media.   Recent headlines on the so-called “MySpace suicide†committed by Megan Meier after being textually harassed by a neighbor(s) posing as a potential boyfriend, provided a window into the dark side of new media. The perceived anonymity, made possible online, allows users to feel there are no repercussions or consequences to bad behavior. (How many of us would act up, if we knew we wouldn’t get caught).   But there are and were tragic consequences in the Meier case, and current legislation against intentional misrepresentation online is making its way through the court system nationwide. No doubt the prospect of being responsible for false comments made online will alter our online behavior.
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But increasingly, even the prospect of anonymity seems to be less important; taken over by the need to BE noticed for bad behavior. The recent attack of a teenage girl, lured to a friend’s house and set upon by a gang of girls was posted on YouTube, subsequently leading to the attackers’ arrest. These perpetrators seemingly wanted the infamy that came along with the conviction. To that end, producers of the “Dr. Phil†show posted bail for some of the attackers in order for them to appear on the talk show (after receiving negative media attention, the show was pulled). The instant attention and notoriety that new media makes possible through websites like YouTube, and social networking sites such as MySpace continues to affect, and in some respects encourage the worst type of behavior. Anything goes as long as it’s popular. But how far is too far…? And what role do we play in encouraging this type of behavior (media coverage, public discussion, distributing said content, etc.).
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My ongoing media intervention on JuicyCampus, a gossip website for the college community, is trying to find an answer, or at least further the discussion.  Prompted by NYU student  Brian Dargiewicz’s case, in which false information about him was posted on the site, I decided to post an innocuous subject and assess the response.  After having received harmless enough responses to the post (“Best TA - Worst TAâ€), I will up the ante, and post something “juicier.â€
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Human Nature (platforms change, human nature doesn’t)
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In general, my traveler’s log experiences have made me realize that although the platform may change and evolve through innovation, human nature is fundamental and predictable not matter what the method of expression. We have an enormous capacity for good and an equal aptitude for evil. New media is just the latest platform that facilitates this expression, for better or worse.
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-egor
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Traveler’s Log 3: How Juicy Is It?
My continuing media intervention was prompted by NYU junior Brian Dargiewicz’s experience on the college gossip website JuicyCampus. On the site, false negative posts questioning Brian’s sexuality and accusing him of having STDs among other things, have led him to be concerned for his professional career after college; employers search the Internet as part of the screening/hiring process.
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Hence, I posted a seemingly mild comment asking who was the best TA and the worst TA. I received/am receiving equally harmless replies (so and so is “hotâ€â€¦). I will now post something “juicier†in comparison. The twist being that the person I will post about will be totally fictitious. Hopefully, I will get better responses to this “made up†person, as evidence of how we are socially programmed (collective hive).
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-egor
Traveler’s Log 3: Textual Harassment in the News from MySpace Suicide to Juicy Campus
After settling on the topic of online harassment, I was surprised to find out how topical it was. Partially, I think it this reflects new media’s capacity to not only by a conveyor of cultural phenomena, but perhaps a protagonist as well. In other words, what role does new media play in the realm of textual harassment, internet shaming, or cyber-bullying. Is it just a new medium in which people express their basest instincts? Or do social networking sites such MySpace or Juicy Campus encourage these base behaviors? And who is ultimately responsible for their consequences?
“EVERYBODY HATES YOU!” The Grave New Frontier of New Media & Textual Harassment
A recent segment on a morning talk show prompted my idea for my third traveler’s log. It featured a teenage high school victim of a vicious rumor campaign started on some of the student’s websites.
After some preliminary research, I also discovered the recent tragedy of Megan Meier, a 13 year old who committed suicide after meeting 16 year old Josh Evans on MySpace.
At first they were congenial, but inexplicably Josh soon turned on Megan and started posting hurtful comments like this: “you’re a bad person and everybody hates you.” Others soon joined in on MySpace, culiminating in Megan’s suicide. Consequently, new legislation has been proposed that would make online harassment a local crime in her town.
Mean girls are nothing new in modern social contexts, but the world of new media does seem to provide more effective way for these types of malcontents to get their point/jabs across. Whether it’s through posting wrong/misleading/private information about their target on social networking sites, or sending email blasts to their accounts, or flooding their mobile phones with hateful texts, this is an ongoing and increasing problem that cuts across most groups (generational, racial, etc.). With varying terms such as cyber-bullying, internet shaming or textual harassment this new media phenomena is ripe for research, and unfortunately, plenty of these types of incidents exist online.
It doesn’t even have to be that deep: Have you ever broken up via email/text? Would you ever consider doing so, if you haven’t?
The facility of new media to provide a blanket/buffer on traditional social conventions and mores has increasingly altered our capacity for civil discourse. Is new media to blame for this devolution? Or is new media just the latest instrument to reflect our capacity for evil (and good).
-egor
Egor’s Traveler’s Log II v.3: South Park’s Timmy/Jimmy et al
Riffing off the commentary/discussion generated from my previous posts, I wanted to extend the discussion/exploration on the Timmy character in South Park, as it relates/compares to traditional media images of the disabled; and what impact (if any) has new media had on the discussion. The main argument seems to center on whether or not (unapologetic) images of the disabled further the cause for inclusion, or just further victimization of the disabled. In other words, is it cool to laugh along with Timmy, or are we just still laughing at Timmy in the end.
To highlight my point, I chose a seminal episodes of South Park that touches this theme. In “Cripple Fight,” a battle between Timmy, whose in a wheelchair, and the new Jimmy character, with arm braces & a speech impediment, erupts after Timmy refuses to participate in Jimmy’s stand-up (ironic) routine as part of the protest of Big Gay Al’s ouster from the Mountain Scouts, South Park’s version of the Boy Scouts (still with me?). To say the least, the fight sequence is both funny and disturbing, in the best tradition of South Park.
However, if we want to explore whether these images just perpetuate stereotypes and victimization of the disabled, or whether they provide a liberating autonomous seldom-heard voice to this population, new media provides a platform where this discussion can take place.
Reading the comment logs on several sites featuring the Cripple Fight video, I was surprised to find the lack of protest of these depictions. From what I read, comments were positive about the characters and the show in general. So much for political correctness. Also, I thought the best argument for inclusion of disabled characters as a source/symbol for empowerment came from a couple of blogs from disabled viewers themselves:
The Angry Gimp writes:
I love Timmy so much - hilarious! Cripple Fight is my all-time favorite South Park.
I went to a seminar at my college once about disabilities, and the speakers showed the episode, talking about how “awful” Timmy was. As a wheelchair user, I stuck up loudly for Timmy and explained why I thought he was awesome. I think I changed some minds that day.
“Jimmy”, the handi-capable kid, is also hilarious. He really represents to me of the kind of person people want to see as an ideal crip - making the most of his disability in the sappiest way possible.
And Timmargh.net says:
“My online persona is based on Timmy as I am also a crip named Tim”
These statements seem to confirm the belief that “Timmy was even more popular among [the] disabled than [the] nondisabled…” as deconstructed in the article, “KRAZY KRIPPLES: South Park & Disability” from New Mobility: The Magazine for Wheelchair Users.
In the end, the argument whether or not the inclusion of unapologetic images of the disabled further their victimization or empower this population may never be settled, but new media makes it possible for the inclusion of all voices in this debate (including those closest to it).
-egor
Egor’s Traveler’s Log Post II.v2: New Media & Disability (GO TIMMY!)
“ConnecTV’s” mission statement stipulates how many of us view the disabled: People with disabilities are rarely portrayed or heard from in the mainstream media. When images of people with disabilities do appear, we often see stereotypes such as: “the bitter cripple,†the inspirational hero overcoming adversity†or as “set dressing†a token presence superfluous to the story.
Although there have been moving and brilliant portrayals of disabled individuals, they are usually seen as metaphorical examples of triumph over adversity.
Films such as My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown have received wide acclaim:
And The Miracle Worker, the film adaptation of Helen Keller’s autobiography, is another narrative with this feel good theme of triumph over adversity:
However, with rare exceptions, these stories are often re-interpreted for a broader audience. And their authors usually have little power over how their respective stories are told. Surprisingly, some of the most refreshing and non-stereotypical depictions of the disabled have come from animation.
Timmy, one of the characters in South Park ’s animated series for Comedy Central , is a paraplegic, who holds his own along with the 
other main characters in the cartoon.
Timmy even has his own online video game on where players can dodge obstacles in his way.
While Fox’s Family Guy, has a main character who although paralyzed, fully contributes to the irreverent humor the cartoon is known for. 
ConnecTV, while providing media training specifically targeting this population through programs such as Media Instruction for the Disabled (MIFD), a nine-month video training program that led to the creation of two documentaries, and several episodes of their own talk show (and the formation of ConnecTV)
By showing works by those with disabilities, ConnecTV offers valuable insight and long overlooked attention at this population’s ability to tell their own stories with diverse topics such as ADHD, disability and aging, and discrimination of the disabled within the gay community.
Here are some film synopses from producers on ConnecTV’s website:
- “Lei Chang (More Than Two Million) was a successful advertising executive and art director when cervical paralysis ended her career. She knows firsthand what it feels like to adjust to the new circumstances of a disability.
- Carmelo Gonzalez (One Night Sit, The Move) and Diana Naftal (One Night Sit, Disarmed and Dangerous) have been classified as “disabled†for their entire lives and have struggled against the low expectations and discrimination caused by that label. These filmmakers don’t have to “put themselves in someone else’s shoes.†They’ve been facing these challenges all their lives. For this reason, they create honest stories based on their personal experiences.
Listen here to a WNYC interview with these producers: http://www.wnyc.org/stream/ram.py?file=raotl/bl031704c.ra
Additionally, ConnecTV provides a platform for showcasing these works by collaborating
with other organizations such as the Disabilities Network of New York “a coalition of consumers, advocates and professional organizations representing and working on behalf of people of all ages with motor and sensory disabilities.â€
In presenting disThis, monthly film screenings showcasing works by and about the disabled. This film series has been favorably received and discussions usually follow the screenings. These showcases have become part of a regular networking event for those interested in media and disability.
Recently, disThis featured Eli Steele’s award-winning What’s Bugging Seth with the unlikely plotline: “A driven young deaf man, a bilateral amputee, and a failed model star in a romantic comedy.
disThis showcases not only include films, but also presentations of works by artists such as Riva Lehrer, whose portraits have been featured in these exhibitions: Staring Back: The Disability Experience From The Inside Out and Beyond Victims and Villains: Contemporary Plays by Disabled Playwrights. 
From the admittedly limited exploration so far, ConnecTV provides a window into the disabled population while demonstrating how new media has affected this population by allowing them agency in their expression.
-egor
Egor’s Traveler’s Log Post II: New Media and Disability
I’ve chosen ConnecTV as the destination for my traveler’s log. ConnecTV is the program channel targeted for the disabled, as part of DCTV, a well-regarded, independant, non-profit media center located in lower Manhattan. ConnecTV produces content (primarily video) by and for those with disabilities covering issues not often included in traditional media. Content is available online through ConnecTV’s website. The site also has instructional/tutorials videos on camera operations, and hosts disThis, film screenings showcasing works with disability as a theme.
The rationale for my focus is to explore new media from the perspective of those with differing functionality with the goal of discovering how new media is affecting this population both adversely and constructively. And in turn, how this population is contributing to the development of new media.
-egor
