FEU Public Intellectual Lecture Series | Dr. Diosa Labiste | Part 1

Summary

Maria Jose Laist's talk delves into our cyber selves, exploring how new media technologies and social media shape our identities and communities. Despite feeling connected, we often feel alone and misled online. Laist discusses our motivations for going online, the promise of connectivity, building communities, and the transformative power of technology on our consciousness and behavior. She references philosophers like Michel Foucault and Sherry Turkle, highlighting how digital technologies mediate our self-transformation and the potential for empowerment through online engagement.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Connectivity is a primary reason people engage with new media technologies, seeking to connect with others, maintain relationships, and network.
• 📱 New Media Technologies encompass both hardware and software, including computers, the internet, mobile phones, and social media platforms.
• 📈 The desire for popularity and monetization drives some individuals to curate their online presence and seek to broadcast themselves to a wider audience.
• 🏘️ Building communities online is about forming social groups and advocating for shared interests, which can lead to a public self that is an extension of one's private identity.
• 🧠 Technologies of the self, as defined by Michel Foucault, are tools that individuals use to effect change in their physical and mental selves to improve or transform themselves.
• 🤔 Identity formation in the digital age is complex and influenced by the plethora of choices and messages presented by media and society.
• 📊 In the Philippines, there is a high level of internet and Facebook usage, with users spending an average of 4 hours daily on social media platforms.
• 🌐 Social media platforms provide spaces for conversations, sharing of interests, and support for various causes, offering a new interpretation of issues and events.
• 💪 Empowerment through social media is evident as it allows individuals to assert their rights, tell their stories, and engage with stories that resonate with their beliefs.
• 🔍 The information and stories encountered online can shape an individual's beliefs and worldview, influencing their actions and decisions in the real world.

Q & A

What is the main topic of Maria Josa Laist's talk?

The main topic of Maria Josa Laist's talk is understanding our cyber selves, focusing on our relationship with new media technologies, social media, and how technology shapes our identities and the information we derive from online interactions.

Why do people feel alone despite being connected through social media?

People might feel alone despite being connected through social media because of the nature of online interactions, which can lack genuine human connection and be filled with misleading or problematic messages, leading to feelings of isolation.

What are the two main reasons people engage with online platforms according to the talk?

The two main reasons people engage with online platforms are the promise of connectivity and the promise of building communities.

How does new media technology influence our daily lives as described in the talk?

New media technology influences our daily lives by providing platforms for connectivity and community building, affecting how we communicate, form relationships, and perceive ourselves and others.

What does the term 'Technologies of the self' refer to in the context of the talk?

In the context of the talk, 'Technologies of the self' refers to the tools and methods, including digital technologies, that individuals use to effect change in themselves, such as improving their physical appearance, consciousness, thoughts, conduct, and self-perception.

Why do people want to project a certain persona online?

People want to project a certain persona online to be popular, to be perceived positively by others, and to potentially monetize their online presence by attracting attention and advertising.

How does the concept of 'community' play a role in online interactions?

The concept of 'community' in online interactions plays a role by allowing individuals to connect with others who share common interests, form support networks, and engage in discussions and activities that are meaningful to them.

What is the significance of the public sphere in the context of online communities?

The significance of the public sphere in online communities is that it provides a space where individuals can engage in discussions on issues of common interest, express their views, and potentially influence public opinion and policy.

How does social media empower individuals according to the talk?

Social media empowers individuals by giving them a platform to express their views, connect with like-minded people, share their stories, and advocate for causes they believe in, thus enhancing their agency and influence.

What challenges do people face in terms of identity formation due to the overwhelming choices presented by media?

People face challenges in identity formation due to the overwhelming choices presented by media as they are exposed to various identity-forming messages that can be confusing and may lead to the adoption of identities that are not genuinely reflective of their own values or desires.