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@steveklabnik
Created January 27, 2014 19:00
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"Distributed sexism in a networked world."

Distributed sexism in a networked world

Many words have been written about the systemic, structural nature of oppression. These structures and systems have been documented and discussed at length. But new power structures give rise to new forms of power and control, and therefore oppression. In this paper, I will demonstrate how these new network forms give rise to these new structures, focusing specifically on sexism as a means of furthering male domination. If "the internet" is structured in such a way that "nobody knows if you're a dog," how has the internet reproduced, in modified ways, the existing patriarchal social structures we observe in meatspace?

Galloway posits that networks change the previously centralized nature of sovereignty and power. Communications technologies have enabled such structures to morph from very visible, powerful central forces into fuzzy, distributed, diffuse power. In order for such networked power to accomplish its goals, it needs to modify its tools and tactics to fit this situation. Various internet-based tools such as message boards, Twitter, memes, and email facilitate the coordination of various actors to produce and reproduce various cultural norms. I will trace and demonstrate specific, concrete examples of these new forms of distributed, networked mysogyny.

@codeodor
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I'd cite "nobody knows if you're a dog" and "meatspace." Maybe more ideas in here need citation, but those two I know have origins that probably ought to be.

Sounds like this will be interesting. I look forward to reading more.

@steveklabnik
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It's hard to cite things in abstracts. :/

@englishm
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"...reproduced, in modified ways, the existing patriarchal social structures we observe in meatspace..."
Sounds too close to digital-dualism for me. Be careful of focusing too much on the "online" as if it's isolated from present "offline" social realities. Online and offline social realities interact as part of the same whole, and that's particularly important in how power perpetuates itself. Consider adding a PolySocial Reality lens to your analysis.

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