In the essay “Making New Media”, Nancy Baym highlights how technology redefines social interactions. Redefining social interactions call into question the validity of an interaction on both on a personal or professional level. Baym refers to Fischer who states that
“technology enters a society from outside and impacts social life” (qtd. in
Baym 26). Baym states, “In combination
with sparse social cues, interactivity raises issues about the authenticity and
well-being of people, interactions, and relationships that use new media” (Baym
22).
In popular media, most social
media technologies and platforms are met with either good or bad opinions. For
some users, it may be good and revolutionary. While for others, new social media
technologies and platforms may be too advanced, cumbersome, or even to scary to
use. One’s social media usage is a reflection of themselves. It has the ability to show others
our favorite places to be, who and what we surround ourselves with, and
defining life moments. But despite the high level of intimate sharing with
social media, there is a sense of fear and disconnect that users may feel-which highlights the dystopian aspect. Since
social media is based on interactivity, one assumes that the people they
are interacting with on these social sites are real. But that is not always the
case, users of new media technologies or platforms, like social media, may run
into the issue of false identity. The disconnect is that users cannot physically see the
person on the other side of the screen, except for the images they choose to share. Consequently, the disconnect from the screen makes it easier for
someone to pretend to be someone else, or “catfish” a person.
For example, take the platform of Instagram, one can only see the photographs that a person chooses to share. Therefore, the sense of interactivity is present, because viewers can see and even like what the uploader of a certain profile chooses to share. But even then, how can someone know or verify that the person, who uploaded the photo, actually went to that destination on vacation or looks like that in real life? Instagram allows privacy settings that allow users to follow those who they know in real life or those who do not have a private account. There is a sense that social media sites actively protect the idea of authenticity through privacy features such a limiting the audience who can see what you post to just friends or making users approve the people they want to be friends with. But the question also in focus is for those who have open profiles, how do you know they are real? The only way to really know is to have an account verified, but the verification process is usually reserved for famous celebrities and icons. But, you as a user choose how and with whom you interact with. You can choose the level of interaction you have with someone. For example, you can direct message a person on Instagram to speak with them privately or even choose to share with them another one of your social media platform accounts, like Facebook, as another means of communication.
Based on the evidence in the news and articles written, despite Baym’s argument that new media has both its positives and negatives, most media outlets tend to cover the negatives of new technologies and media. Denise Martin in the article, "Here's How MTV's Catfish Actually Works" examines how hit MTV Show, “Catfish” capitalized on the dystopian point of view of real life interactivity and authenticity versus online interactions and personas. Baym states that “. . . anonymity opens the possibility of liberation from the division that come about from seeing one another’s race, age, gender, disabilities, and so on” (34). MTV capitalized on the fear of the unknown. In this case, the unknown is the question of whether or not the person you are talking to is real or they are actually the person they claim to be. They showcase the in-depth process of catching a catfish. But in actuality the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. Denis Martin, writer for Vulture, states “it’s often the catfish we hear from first because they’re looking to unburden themselves. . .” (Martin). Most people barely need to be convinced. Everyone signs a waiver to conduct background checks which is why you see the catfish wearing a mike (Martin). MTV shows the great lengths that people go to in order to expose the "catfish". They make it seem as if it is a hard and lengthy process, for everyday users to verify the authenticity of the person they are talking to. But in actuality, the methods utilized in the show to capture a Catfish are simple techniques that people can do it on their own. The most obvious and simple techniques are a Google search and looking at the social media profile of the person in question for friends and family, that could help verify their identity. The show capitalizes on the fear of the unknown in terms of authenticity and makes it seem as if it is a bigger phenomenon than it actually is.
For example, take the platform of Instagram, one can only see the photographs that a person chooses to share. Therefore, the sense of interactivity is present, because viewers can see and even like what the uploader of a certain profile chooses to share. But even then, how can someone know or verify that the person, who uploaded the photo, actually went to that destination on vacation or looks like that in real life? Instagram allows privacy settings that allow users to follow those who they know in real life or those who do not have a private account. There is a sense that social media sites actively protect the idea of authenticity through privacy features such a limiting the audience who can see what you post to just friends or making users approve the people they want to be friends with. But the question also in focus is for those who have open profiles, how do you know they are real? The only way to really know is to have an account verified, but the verification process is usually reserved for famous celebrities and icons. But, you as a user choose how and with whom you interact with. You can choose the level of interaction you have with someone. For example, you can direct message a person on Instagram to speak with them privately or even choose to share with them another one of your social media platform accounts, like Facebook, as another means of communication.
Based on the evidence in the news and articles written, despite Baym’s argument that new media has both its positives and negatives, most media outlets tend to cover the negatives of new technologies and media. Denise Martin in the article, "Here's How MTV's Catfish Actually Works" examines how hit MTV Show, “Catfish” capitalized on the dystopian point of view of real life interactivity and authenticity versus online interactions and personas. Baym states that “. . . anonymity opens the possibility of liberation from the division that come about from seeing one another’s race, age, gender, disabilities, and so on” (34). MTV capitalized on the fear of the unknown. In this case, the unknown is the question of whether or not the person you are talking to is real or they are actually the person they claim to be. They showcase the in-depth process of catching a catfish. But in actuality the whole thing has been blown out of proportion. Denis Martin, writer for Vulture, states “it’s often the catfish we hear from first because they’re looking to unburden themselves. . .” (Martin). Most people barely need to be convinced. Everyone signs a waiver to conduct background checks which is why you see the catfish wearing a mike (Martin). MTV shows the great lengths that people go to in order to expose the "catfish". They make it seem as if it is a hard and lengthy process, for everyday users to verify the authenticity of the person they are talking to. But in actuality, the methods utilized in the show to capture a Catfish are simple techniques that people can do it on their own. The most obvious and simple techniques are a Google search and looking at the social media profile of the person in question for friends and family, that could help verify their identity. The show capitalizes on the fear of the unknown in terms of authenticity and makes it seem as if it is a bigger phenomenon than it actually is.
Works Cited:
Baym, Nancy K. "Making New Media Make Sense." Personal
Connections in the Digital Age.
Cambridge, UK: Polity, 2010. 22-49. Print.
Definition of Catfish. 2014. MTV Asia. MTV Asia. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. Google Images. Web. 12 Feb.2017.
<http://mtvasia-com.mtvnimages.com/mtvasia-shows/catfish-meaning.jpg>.
Martin Denise. "Here's How MTV's Catfish Actually
Works." Vulture.
N.p., 21 May 2014. Web. 11
Feb. 2017. <http://www.vulture.com/2014/05/catfish-mtv-casting-production-process.html>.
"TV Show "Catfish" Focuses on Fake Internet
Relationships." CNN.
Cable News Network, 17
Jan. 2013.Web. 11 Feb. 2017. <http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/16/sport/manti-teo-controversy-catfish/>.
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