The Authorization of LGBT by Liana and Wai Ling

Crashing over the unprecedented pace of the technological globalization, blogging is apparently sitting a very heart of the modern society all over the globe. Well to say that blogging is, as one of the advanced virtual communication tool, highly and easily accessible to everyone which has become a mainstream part of our everyday existence. Speaking of which, it is be of something that matters indirectly and implicitly on each individual’s life. To be no doubt, blogging literally serves as creative colossus of online literacy world that has been broadly opened a central corridor for the creation of self-expression and community development which exercises of the creation of the identity.

In the time of far-reaching changes like present day, blog is generally recognized as a quintessential newborn for computer-mediated-communication (CMC) in which it is often presented in various forms of manifestation and structure (Pluempavarn & Panteli, 2007). While there are wide diversity in the way people have benefitted from the act of blogging, blog is usually playing a major role in the personal memoir and public discussion (Herring et al., 2005; Huffaker, 2004). Moving toward increasing visibility and availabilities of all different blog post types on the Internet, many of them come with much closer interface between other blogs regarding its contents and information being published through which their respective links are compatibly shared (Blood, 2002). Despite to the fact that the phenomenon of blogging lies a labyrinthine network of virtual interactivity among the mass, it has been redounded to the characterization and underlying strength of self-exposure which devoted to be foundation stone of enhancement and maintenance of the individual’s identity within the social context. Hence, this would be correct to imply that those who actively participate themselves in the online blogging are presumed to be more likely to intensify their own existential plum of defining who they really are.

So, let us talk about some of the examples of the existing wedding blogs that have been opted for as our case studies like STYLE ME Pretty (SMP) and equallywed. By looking through the overall design framework of these two blogs, what is such interesting that they are specifically created for the part of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual (LGBT) community. Similarly, both blogs are widely occupied with the details of every single LGBT couple’s marriage ceremony including the place of the wedding, photographers, entertainments, attendant attire, catering service, venue decorations and guest invitations. Seen in this light, these blogs tend to be characterized in a more personalized, individualistic, affectionate kind of self-presentation and communication and fully being used as the similar manner of writing an online diary or personal journal. Though Foucault (1988) stated that writing had greatly evolved into a powerful component in the way that bordered much on the emphasis on the nature of preservation and construction of one’s self, so far pinpointed that “taking care of the self in and through writing is one of the oldest Western traditions” (p. 27). They extend beyond the informative role of exchanging the ideas and conducting debating sessions, rather develop into another ultimate vehicle for the bloggers to get in touch with the audiences who have never approached them before by expressing their intimate feeling and thoughts to them. This is mainly due to massive marginalization and discrimination towards these groups of people by the majority of society. Their living styles and behaviors are seem to be rebelled against what the dominant cultural value dictates and therefore, they have heavily been isolated and disengaged from their particular community. Accrue to this, these experiences leave them exceptionally vulnerable to lack of greater opportunity to voice out their opinions and concerns. This resulting provides those blogs a useful platform to toss around and steer the crowd attention to the predicament of these marginalized group which establishes the spectacular recognition of their potential and qualities as a person between themselves. As Foucault (1988) mentioned, 

“Technologies of the self…which permit individuals to effect by their own means, or with the help of others, a certain number of operations on their own bodies and souls, thought, conduct, and way of being, so as to transform themselves in order to attain a certain state of happiness, purity, wisdom, perfection, or immortality.” (p. 18)

In this regard, those online creative expressions represents a viable signifier to the technology of self, not simply making sense to their individual differentiation in the society in that LGBT people acquire power to write whatever they want to the extent of leading them to be the person they want to be.

There are two wedding blogs that we have chosen which are STYLE ME Pretty and equallywed.  Firstly STYLE ME Pretty is a blog that covers weddings from both heterosexual couples as well as the gay couples. One post on gay marriage entitled “Intimate Beachfront Gay Wedding in Phuket, Thailand” by Thia Laurain posted on July 28, 2015 which could be reached at http://www.stylemepretty.com/2015/07/28/intimate-beachfront-gay-wedding-in-phuket-thailand/. Secondly equallywed is a blog that covers weddings for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. One interesting post on the lesbian wedding entitled “Tucson, Arizona Desert Wedding written by Guest which could be found at http://equallywed.com/tucson-arizona-desert-wedding/ for further reading.

STYLE ME Pretty blog is addressed to the enthusiastic brides who seek for stylish weddings. Viewers that participated in the blog are people aged 21 and 37 with the median age of 27. In order to participate, users or guests are to register to STYLE ME Pretty login page at https://www.stylemepretty.com/login/?redirect_to=/registry-guide#register which leads to the webpage as shown:

Other than that, users of STYLE ME Pretty could follow on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and Snapchat as shown below:

There is a platform whereby users and guests could leave a comment for STYLE ME Pretty blog as shown:

In contrast the equallywed  blog is aimed at the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The participation of equallywed ranges from the blog’s editors, guests (those who share the same interest of LGBT wedding), wedding vendors such as  Stroudsmoor Country Inn, the Westin Cape Coral Resort, Nola Dukes Band, Blanc de Bleu-Miami, One Atlantic Events and many more. Participation to equallywed for guests is to firstly register to an equallywed account at http://equallywed.com/profile/register/  as shown below:

1.      Register an account>>account details>>profile details>>social profile>>click ‘register’ 2.      Subscribe to equallywed 3.   Follow on Facebook

equallywed is a digital magazine that displays comments and suggestions through a media platform which ascertain the value of LGBT relationships. It discusses mainly through news articles published by users and guests. The link to submit write-ups (articles) could be reached at http://equallywed.com/submissions/  that would lead to a webpage as shown below:

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said that the “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people can live openly without discrimination and enjoy equal rights, personal autonomy and freedom of expression and association” (American Civil Liberties Union [ACLU], 2014).  As a conclusion, these two wedding blogs exhibit the lavish wedding planning to the community of LGBT. These two blogs also supported the LGBT’s rights to have the same livelihood like the mainstream society.

References

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). (2014). Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/issues/lgbt-rights

Blood, R. (2002). Introduction. In J. Rodzvilla (Ed.), We’ve got blog: How weblogs are changing our culture (pp. 9-13). Cambridge, MA: Perseus Publishing.

Equally Wed Editors. (2009). Retrieved from http://equallywed.com/

Foucault, M. (1988). Technologies of the self. In L. H. Martin, H. Gutman, & P. Hutton (Eds.), Technologies of the self: A seminar with Michel Foucault (pp. 16–49). Amherst, MA:

University Massachusetts Press.

Herring, S., Scheidt, L., Wright, E., & Bonus, S. (2005). Weblogs as a bridging genre. Information Technology and People, 18(2), 142-171.

Huffaker, D. A. (2004). The educated blogger: Using weblogs to promote literacy in the classroom. AACE Journal, 13(2), 91-98.

Pluempavarn, P., & Panteli, N. (2007). The creation of social identity through weblogging. Bath, UK: University of Bath School of Management.

Strong, D., Lepperd, E., Weers, S., Greene, E., Hurwitz, G., Thienes, C. (2007). STYLE ME Pretty. Retrieved from https://www.stylemepretty.com/     

Blurred lines in the patterns of media usage by Daphne

     Living in an era where more than half of the world’s population is highly dependent on the new media certainly blurred the boundaries between life, work, and play. Though the new media does not necessarily pose negative influences towards its users, it could bring about detrimental consequences if not controlled such as estranging relationships with our loved ones or stress due to work. Can we ever recall a time when we see a group of people seated at a table that are not engrossed with their own mobile devices (e.g. phones, tablets)? Instead of engaging in deep, fruitful conversations with the people around us, our eyes are all glued to the screens seemingly showed that we are more interested in the virtual reality than the reality itself. 

   Source: https://hornsofgreatlength.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/blog-pic.jpg?w=300

     As hurtful as it may sound, Tabachnick (2013) admitted that technology no longer serves its purpose for leisure but instead follows us everywhere like a puppy. Work has taken control over the household and parents have slowly stopped nurturing their children through physical activities and rather spoil them (especially their eyes) with mobile devices. Not only families but friends or couples also find themselves caught in their own bubble when the whole purpose of getting together is to actually interact face to face. I do admit that I am addicted to my phone but I learn to resist the urge to check it whenever I am in the company of my friends or family. But let’s face it, everyone will start checking their phones at some point and it’s contagious! So can we blame anyone for that? Frankly speaking, we are all to be blamed. 

Source:http://www.segelasinfo.com/2016/11/6-benda-wajib-bagi-anak-millennial.html

Take Facebook as an example. Since it started in 2004, Facebook has garnered over 1 billion users from all over the world and it is not showing any signs of slowing down any time soon (Oremus, 2014). Originally used for connecting people, it gradually turned into a lucrative company that also helps to promote businesses and products as well as generating news faster than televised ones and those in print. As a result, the term ‘social media’ comes to fore. Kaplan and Haenlein (2010) defined social media as; “A platform whereby content and applications are no longer created and published by individuals, but instead are continuously modified by all users in a participatory and collaborative fashion” (p. 61). This means that users can create, share, and exchange information without having to meet in person. However, the term has been around earlier than assumed as Kaplan and Haenlein discovered but was not widely known at the time.

With an abundance of information that can be obtained through our fingertips, there is no denying that everyone is hooked on this current form of media. Facebook is not the only one. Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, to name a few are basically controlling our daily life with all kinds of features that encourages us to share information. 

Source: http://the-hotel-lobby.tumblr.com/image/147601400096

 Despite that, it may resort to oversharing and could lead to an invasion of privacy. No matter how much we try to protect our privacy, it is beyond our control to erase it completely from the Internet once it is widely circulated. We find ourselves using these social networking sites to showcase our life and reveal rather private moments for the whole world to see. Unfortunately, it also turns into a space for sugarcoating our life in order to hide our personal demons and true emotions. Work-wise, technology is crucial in handling tasks cheaper and faster especially for software companies where they rely on developers from all over the world (Whittle, 2015). Work can now be taken home but the struggle to maintain a good work-life balance is inevitable and also overwhelming because having to prioritize one over the other.

Source: http://freshtips.club/2016/11/06/funny-secret-plan-posted-on-facebook-fb/

Source: http://www.someecards.com/usercards/viewcard/MjAxMi0xYjQzYTc5NTZkMmE0YjY2/

       I am fortunate to have been raised without technology constantly taking over my life though I was also exposed to the Internet as early as 10 years old. I enjoyed being active outdoors and having real quality time with my family. Yet nowadays, I see many families paying more attention to their phones than actually talking to each other. Personally, I find myself and the people around me picking up the habit lately but only when necessary. Therefore, it is hard to encourage “unplugging” among the family either on weekdays or weekends as we rely so much on the new media to function. However, it is possible to practice this as early as possible in order to keep a good balance between work, life, and pleasure. It is just a matter of initiative and control.  

Reference

Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. (2010). Users of the world unite! The challenges and opportunities of social media. Business Horizons, 53(1), 59-68.

Oremus, W. (2014, February 3). Facebook was born 10 years ago. Here’s what it   looked like. Future Tense. Retrieved from: http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2014/02/03/facebook_10th_anniversary_social_network_turns_10_looks_back_at_its_history.html

Tabachnick, D. E. (2013). Technology is blurring the line between work and play. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/technology-is-blurring-the-line-between-work-and-play/article8412565/

Whittle, J. (2015, October 2). How technology blurs the lines between work and home      life. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Retrieved     from: https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/blog/how-technology-blurs-the-lines-between-work-and-home-life/