digital activism

DIGITAL ACTIVISM AND CULTURE JAMMING

'CULTURE JAMMERS' also known as 'PRANKSTERS' (as they use an original mediums communication method to modify and change its meaning to propose a point or make a campaign) tend to be activists and are engaging in strategies using modern technology to deliver messages and critical content across to society. It seems so creative and effective as well as strategic, however, is this an affirmative way for society to communicate ideas?  are we being held mentally hostage by the advertising industry.

Many people are 'for' culture jamming as it is a successful attention seeking method of communication. Although, those who are 'against' it and 'disprove' are usually and quite likely to be the original owners of the mass media communication. In some ways it creates an environment for misinterpretation, for instance Adbusters culture jammer is all 'anti-consumerism' yet they are creating productions to sell, which in turn is creating consumption of their items and images. in saying this, you must still look behind what their goal is and what they are trying to achieve.

Culture Jammers play with heavily circulated images that already have meaning to a lot of people, rearrange an image, usually to draw out criticism of that company. some culture jammers wish to challenge people critically. A successful jam is when people 'get it' it tried to change the mind can be dangerous and can lose the original meaning. people can misinterpret culture jamming and mistake it for an original meaning.

Digital Activism

Taking an optimist perspective, digital activism and the digital world as a whole allows people to work outside the traditional power structures. things such as SMS (the default mobile phone function), Facebook, Twitter, Blogging and YouTube facilitate the mobilizations of the internet and groups of people, no longer do people have to be in the physical presence of one another to interact

digital activists often use social media to make an argument, in particular to make a change. Most people are using the tools of the trade every single day, including Facebook, twitter, tumbltr, Myspace ect..  social activism is all about communication and, like culture jamming, building critical thoughts.