Author: remilevinson2

Separate but Together

| remilevinson2

In the time of a global pandemic where there is so much fear and uncertainty across the world, I wanted to focus on people’s ability to stay positive and connected even when they are physically apart.

Before starting this project, I was aware of some of the ways in which people were interacting whilst remaining in their homes from news articles about Italy appearing on my social media feeds. One example of this was an article in the New York Times, where Italy was described as finding “a moment of joy during this moment of anxiety.” Italy went into lockdown before many other countries, and so many news sources were filled with statistics about the escalating number of cases and deaths.

Image: Washington Post

Although this is something that is important to be informed about, seeing that people have been able to remain so positive and unified during such a scary time was something that stuck with me. From here I gained a better idea of the kinds of videos I wanted to incorporate in my remix, I first came across a video from Germany of people singing from their balconies in solidarity with Italy. After that I was able to find videos of balcony workouts and people throwing social distancing parties for their children, who did not fully understand why they couldn’t leave their homes but were still able to feel special on their birthdays.  

 As the situation began to escalate in more nations, I began to see articles about the Together at Home project that was being organized by Global Citizen and the World Health Organization. When first seeing this I was apprehensive, as many of the celebrity posts about social isolation had received criticism, such as the video of actors singing “Imagine.” An article in Vulture explained that this was because no one “would actually have their spirits lifted by A-listers with access to coronavirus testing crooning in their too-nice homes.” However, Together at Home did not receive the same backlash, the project heavily focused on praising essential workers, and unifying people through music.

Image: Global Citizen

In one clip from the stream I was able to find a montage video of people clapping from their balconies as workers came home, I thought this was powerful and wanted to use it in my remix. I really struggled with finding an ending clip for my video that incorporated the overall message I was trying to portray whilst also providing a clear end. I also found a clip of Beyoncé from this stream which I used to conclude my video, as I thought it did a good job in conveying my overall message.  

Finally, the context clips that are at the start of my remix were the final component I added to my video. Watching the news at home every night I had an idea of what countries had clips about shutdown that I wanted to use. Being in Australia, a lot of our TV news focused on what was being done in New Zealand and England, so I searched directly for those clips. I was then able to find others based on the suggested results.

Image: CNBC

This is a time of uncertainty for individuals across the world, however even though we are physically separated people have found a way to stay connected

Remix Sources:

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter Honors the Sacrifices Made by Essential Workers – Global Citizen

Boris Johnson Issues Stay-At-Home Order for UK to Fight Coronavirus Pandemic – CNN

New Zealand in Coronavirus Lockdown for Four Weeks – NZ Herald

Arizona’s Stay-At-Home Order Extended – ABC15 Arizona

All but 8 States have Issued a Stay-At-Home Order to Combat COVID19 – ABC News

Corona Virus has Spread to Nearly 30 Countries – ABC News

One World: Together at Home – Brut

South Hadley Community Hosts Surprise Birthday Parade During COVID-19 – WWLP 22 News

Ben Platt Helps Fans Cope with Social Distancing with Virtual Dance Party – GMA

Quarantined Residents in Spain take to their Balconies for Group Exercise – GMA

Spain: Seville Residents Organize ‘Balcony Party’ amid State of Emergency – Ruptly

Coronavirus: Germans Sing Bella Ciao from Rooftops in Solidarity with Italy – Guardian News

Victim to Victor (Youtube Audio Library) – RKVC

Featured Image: Free Pix

What Facebook Really Knows

| remilevinson2

Living in such a digital world I think I have always been aware that every time I am online, specifically on social media platforms, what I like, view and post is being heavily monitored and stored by the platform itself. However, looking at the information that’s gathered and knowing what I interact with directly on Facebook, and what is coming from external sites it is clear that I have a lot less privacy online than I thought I did.

Image: Facebook

When I downloaded the information, Facebook had about me the first section that I found really confronting was the list of my “off Facebook activity.” In the past I have questioned how some of the ads I was being shown on my feed were so relevant to my interests. As a result of the introduction of so many new platforms Facebook is no longer the main social media platform I use, however I assumed that because they own other platforms such as Instagram a lot of their data on me would come from there. I also have always been aware that every time I’m online websites are collecting information on me so they can cater their ads and content to my interests, however, I did not realize the extent to which Facebook does this.

When first reading through the websites it showed I have used I thought that they may be sites that I went on through clicking a Facebook link but then noticed that some of the apps I used on my phone were also on the list. It was also really alarming to realize that Facebook were going beyond just seeing what I was searching up online, they also were tracking when I played games on my computer that did not require internet connection like “The Sims” and also every time I opened an app on my phone, even if it wasn’t one that displayed ads or was linked to my social media accounts.

Image: Venture Beat

I understand that there is a huge economic incentive behind doing this, as my data can be sold online to companies that I would potentially want to buy from, however the extent to which this data is being collected feels like a huge invasion of privacy. It appears Facebook knows exactly what I am doing on any device that I own at all times which is really alarming.

Image: PC Mag

I think this is especially the case in terms of apps, because I had always thought if the app wasn’t connected to Facebook and I hadn’t given it permission to access my information there was no way for Facebook to be collecting information about me from it. I also have no idea how I would go about changing my settings, so this data wasn’t being collected

Overall, it has become clear to me that Facebook are collecting a lot more data from their users than what people are aware of. This is something that should be a lot clearer both when signing up for the platform but also in privacy settings. Even though it may be mentioned in the terms and conditions, there is no clear expression of data collection on the platform. After seeing the information, they have gathered from me it feels as though I have no privacy when using my phone or computer. 

Image: Towards Data Science

Featured Image: PYMNTS

Quarantine Media Consumption

| remilevinson2

I’ve noticed that since social isolation has begun time I spend on my phone on a day to day basis has significantly increased. I think a big factor in this is that I am trying to stay as informed as I can on the coronavirus situation, but also that I have so much time to kill during the day that I find myself scrolling through my phone for something to do.

According to my Screen Time app, I have been spending 8 hours a day on my phone lately. This is 9% more than normal times.

Image: Family Connections

The social media apps I have been using most are:

#1 TikTok – 2 hours per day

#2 Twitter – 1 hour and 30 minutes per day

Image: Icon Ninja

Most of my news has been coming from platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. I have found that through accessing news through social media platforms, rather than directly going to one news site everyday, I have been able to gain more perspective on different ways the virus has affected the world, in terms of economics, infection rates, medical advancements, people’s livelihoods and global lockdowns.

Image: Visteo

There have been multiple articles that have stood out to me since I have come back to Australia in regards to responses to self-isolation. A few days after I returned home, ABC News posted a story that made headlines globally about hundreds of people flooding Bondi Beach in Sydney on a hot day, despite being told to practice social distancing.

Image: ABC News

Seeing the images of people sitting on the beach in close proximity to one another and acting as though it was a normal day was something that really frustrated me. The lifeguards working on the beach that day said it “was one of the busiest days I’ve ever seen, and it was a cause for concern.”

In response, Scott Morrison began putting in stricter rules surrounding social distancing; however his approach has not been successful in expressing the gravity of the situation to the Australian public. Earlier this week Morrison announced that no gatherings of more than 2 people could occur in a public space, and that people were only able to leave home to purchase essential items. At the start of the press conference it appeared as though he was taking a more serious, and much needed approach to social isolation. However, when giving an example of leaving home for essentials Morrison explained that his wife had gone out to buy his kids “a whole bunch of jigsaw puzzles.”

Image: Reddit

 Seeing statements like this made by the person who is in control of the country is frustrating because it feels like the situation is being taken much more lightly than it should be.

As the situation worsens, I’ve found myself spending more time on apps such as TikTok where I’ve been able to see people’s opinions on the situation in a more comedic or light hearted setting.

@mayannaisseee

#fyp #corona #isolation

♬ original sound – mayannaisseee

My younger sister has been making TikToks a lot since we began self isolating, and recently made one that mimics the way a lot of celebrities have responded to the pandemic. Although there are many public figures who have donated money and resources to helping the corona virus situation, there have also been instances of celebrities sitting at home with limited concerns about money, explaining how difficult social isolation has been from them. I think seeing a TikTok about it sparked conversation about how many people are being seriously affected by the pandemic whilst others are taking their wealth for granted, but also allowed it to be done in a much more lighthearted way than if it was posted in a twitter rant.

Overall, I think the way I am consuming media at the moment is very different to how I have in the past. I’ve become much more aware of what apps I’m going to, depending on if I am looking for news updates or more comedic content. I think for me at a time like this, balance is really important, because I know if I surround myself with a constant stream of news about case numbers and death rates, I am only going to end up more scared and overwhelmed by the situation.


Featured Image: Media Marketing

The Importance of Coral Reefs

| remilevinson2

Coral reefs are a vital part of the world’s marine life but are facing significant threats as a result of human interference, if action is not taken immediately, we will see the remainder of coral reefs die within the next 30 years.

I decided to create my infographic in a simple layout that would allow the reader to digest the information quickly, whilst still getting a sense of the urgency of the problem at hand. The first data point I chose was that reefs protect the homes of over 200 million people from storm surges. I thought this was very relevant as it shows the audience that coral reefs play a vital role in the day to day lives of millions of people across the world, and without them they more than likely would lose their homes.

Image: AZO Cleantech

Next I chose the statistic that reefs provide over $35 billion in tourism globally every year. Attracting tourists allows for “diving tours, fishing trips, hotels, restaurants, and other businesses based near reef systems provide millions of jobs and contribute billions of dollars all over the world” (UNESCO). The final data point I chose to put at the top of my infographic was that it provides homes to 25% of marine life. I decided to visualise this data point through the icons of four fish, one remaining in colour to symbolise that 1 in 4 marine animals live in these reefs. This allows for the audience to understand what the point is saying without reading the text.

I chose to give the next two pieces of data a separate row each as I felt as though they were significant and would get the reader to feel a sense of urgency leading to a call to action. The data point that the world has lost about half its coral reefs in the last 30 years shows the reader that this has been a significant ongoing problem. I chose to visualise this through a reef that was half in colour, and half grey to symbolise that it had died, allowing the viewer to see a representation of the significance of the problem. I then built on this with the statistic that within the next 30 years if no action is taken all reefs will disappear, to emphasise the time sensitivity of the issue.

Image: Saving the Great Barrier Reef

Finally, I chose to incorporate three data points about small things individuals can do, as a call to action. I visualised these through images of what should not be done, with a cross expressing that they will result in further damage, and what should be done, with a tick to show they will improve reef health.

Overall this is a significant issue that urgently needs to be addressed. Through the layout of my infographic I hope to emphasise this as well as express what can be done to help in saving coral reefs.

Image: Fitzroy Island

Infographic Sources:

What You Can Do to Help Protect Coral Reefs – United States Environmental Protection Agency 2018

Coral Reefs – Ocean Health Index 2020

Mapping Ocean Wealth – Mapping Ocean Ecosystem Services 2020

Living Planet Wildlife Report – WWF 2018

Images – FreePik

Featured Image: Bio Plastics News

Change the Flag

| remilevinson2

For this assignment I chose to manipulate an iconic image from ANZAC day, a national holiday in Australia that remembers ANZACs who were killed in a battle at Gallipoli in World War I. The ANZAC soldier on a horse holding the flag has become an image of unity Australians and evokes respect for the men who died in battle. However, for years there has been debate over if the Australian flag should be changed to the Aboriginal flag.

When Australia was colonised by the British, the Aboriginal people who inhabited the land were killed, and separated from their children. In 2009, Kevin Rudd, the prime minister at the time, made the first apology to the Aboriginals for the way they had been treated. The Australian flag represents unity; however, this is not encapsulated in the current flag that displays the union jack and southern cross constellation.

The Aboriginal flag is in 3 parts, a black rectangle at the top to represent the sky, a red rectangle at the bottom to represent the red sand that fills the centre of the country, and a yellow circle in the middle to represent the sun.

Changing the Australian flag to the Aboriginal flag would not only show respect to the people who originally inhabited the land but would also be both an apology for their mistreatment and a better representation of the connection that all Australians feel with one another. Placing this flag on the ANZAC soldier represents the idea that the ANZACS fought for every Australian, including the Aboriginal people, who deserve respect and an apology for their past treatment by white settlers.

Photoshop Sources:

Iconic Image: Collecting Postcards

Aboriginal Flag: New Matilda

Featured Image: MSN News

Football Team or Family?

| remilevinson2
Kyle Shanahan receives George Halas Trophy

Grant Gordons article for the NFL; “These Niners look a lot like ’94 Super Bowl champs” clearly strives to portray the image that American football teams are a tight knit group of dedicated individuals, which often results in positions being passed down through family members. Although it is an incredibly reliable source in terms of football, it portrays teams in a way that may not be completely accurate to the reality of football and its history.

Image: 49ers Webzone

Throughout the article, the NFL does not make reference to any external sources, only using information provided from other NFL articles, interviews and player statistics recorded on their own site. Although in some circumstances it would be a cause for concern if an article was to only reference their own website, this is not the case with the NFL. As a result of this being the official site of the National Football league, this is an area where they have incredibly strong expertise.

The strong relationship that the NFL has with players is emphasised in quotes from an interview with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo “I love that we keep it in the family and everything.” Not only does this establish credibility for the NFL as they are able to provide direct quotes from an interview conducted with a player, conveying that they have an incredibly high proximity with the source, it also allows for them to emphasize the idea of the 49ers as a close knit community.

Image : Kron 4

Through the direct quotations it becomes very clear that motivation of the article is to portray the close relationship and pride that players have for their teams. Garoppolo continues on to say that “When those older players come back, just whether they talk to us or you just see them on the sidelines, having them around, it’s cool. It just makes you realize the history of this organization and whenever you get that opportunity, it’s great.” However, the article completely disregards many significant events in the history of the NFL, instead only drawing the attention of fans towards the positive aspects.

It is clear that the writer of the article is playing on the emotions of the readers, and that it is most likely targeted at 49ers fans. Throughout the piece not only is a family like image portrayed through the language used in interviews, but also by descriptive language of the events taking place. The moment that a father, Mike Shanahan, handed the George Halas trophy to his son Kyle is described by Gordon as “tender.” He then goes on to explain that when the trophy was handed over “the father went for a high-five, but the son went right past it and hugged his dad.” This provides a visual of a well united team, that would stand together no matter what, however this is not the reality of the situation.

Image: Essence

Although the NFL as an organisation does not show any bias towards a particular team, it is clear that their representation of football intends to show a very specific viewpoint. No bias is shown towards any team in particular, but instead the overall ideas surrounding football. No critiques or negatives about the games and team interactions, it specifically leaves out the controversy surrounding Colin Kaepernick’s departure from the team after kneeling in protest during the national anthem, taking a stance against police brutality. It is evident that the article aims to create a sense of community, and it is likely that this is done to bring both the fans and the team together as they prepared for the Superbowl, where Kaepernick’s absence would be felt.

Overall, although the article is accurate in terms of sources and evidence used, it is clearly portraying an idealistic view of football. As a result it leaves out any negatives about the team or relationships amongst players, however this is a result of where the article was published and the image of football they are portraying.

Featured Image: Sports Illustrated

Social Media as Procrastination

| remilevinson2

From looking at how I consume media in a 24 hour period I noticed that a lot of my time online is a result of procrastination and boredom. Social media allows me to justify to myself having short breaks, because it is so easy to watch a quick YouTube video or scroll through my Instagram feed whilst I’m doing work.

Image: Influencive

When I wake up in the morning, I immediately reach for my phone to check message notifications and a variety of social media platforms to see what I have missed overnight, whilst watching newly uploaded youtube videos. Although I always set myself a time that I have to get out of bed and start my day, I find myself procrastinating something as little as getting up because I have so much I can sit and do on my phone before I have to think about all the things I need to get done before I have class. I noticed throughout the day, when I am at class or with friends my media consumption decreases significantly, but spikes again when I get back to my room and start attempting to do homework. I think this is a result of being so used to instant gratification, that it has become harder for me to sit and focus on one thing for an extended period of time.

Although in some ways media consumption has a negative impact on my life, living so far from home there are many positives. Being able to use applications such as Facebook messenger mean that I can instantly message friends and family from home without having to pay international texting rates. Things such as Facetime allow for me to video chat my family very easily on a regular basis which is a huge benefit.

Image: Space Odyssey

Logging my media consumption over a 24 hour period helped me recognize that a lot of my time online is simply me trying to avoid getting things done. This is something I am aware of and am trying to get better about.

media-consumption-logDownload

Featured Image: Attitude Magazine