Published inDigital Media and Disruptive Change·Mar 5, 2021George Floyd is not deadOur brains on misinformation — The unprecedented response to George Floyd’s death and the protests that followed provided a fertile ground for misinformation. As the protests spiralled into riots and looting, multiple alternative narratives spread across the internet, tapping into the fear and anxiety during an uncertain time (NATO, 2017; Wardle, 2018) “On Twitter and…George Floyd5 min readGeorge Floyd5 min read
Published inDigital Media and Disruptive Change·Feb 22, 2021Digitally mediated spaces defined“The beginning of wisdom is the definition of terms.” Socrates Before theorizing ‘digitally mediated spaces’ and ‘social movements’, we need to unpack the terms ‘digital media’, ‘mediated’ and ‘spaces’ and how they are used in this research. After countless hours of reading academic literature, I find a hairy mess of…4 min read4 min read
Published inDigital Media and Disruptive Change·Feb 11, 2021Trial of Derek ChauvinRemembering Rodney King — Minneapolis is getting ready for the trial of Derek Chauvin, the ex-police officer who pinned George Floyd to the ground, scheduled to start March 8, 2021. “This is the most famous police brutality prosecution in the history of the United States.” Paul Butler, former prosecutor and authority on police brutality…George Floyd3 min readGeorge Floyd3 min read
Feb 10, 2021Digitally public spaces birthed out of conflict definedThe death of George Floyd in police custody, captured on video that went viral exhibited unprecedented online and offline engagement. Within hours of the video going online; social, economic and political grievances activated an oppositional culture on the communication and media platforms of the internet. Much like the outpouring of…4 min read4 min read
Published inDigital Media and Disruptive Change·Feb 10, 2021Research contributionsContribution to theory, methodology and practice — This research makes multiple contributions to theory, methodology and practice. Specific contributions are articulated as the research progresses. Theoretical Contribution This research expands our understanding of digitally mediated spaces that emerge during a crisis and enable activism and social movements. Leveraging theories in information systems, media and social studies, and social movements…George Floyd3 min readGeorge Floyd3 min read
Published inDigital Media and Disruptive Change·Feb 9, 2021Research questionsThe entanglement of digitally mediated spaces and social movements. — The 8 minutes and 46 seconds of George Floyd’s death in police custody captured on video that went viral ruptured the social fabric as thousands mobilized in protests and called for social justice. …3 min read3 min read
Published inDigital Media and Disruptive Change·Feb 9, 2021Problematization as a methodology to think about “taken for granted” truths“The answers are always inside the problem, not outside.” Marshall McLuhan Researchers often aspire to develop new and interesting theories that may also prove to be influential. For a theory to be exceptionally noteworthy, it should provide unexpected insights and surprises, while also remain connected to established research (Davis, 1986)…4 min read4 min read
Published inDigital Media and Disruptive Change·Feb 8, 2021What difference does it make?Political, social and economic impact — The death of George Floyd in police custody, was a flash point that triggered frustration and anger against persistent social and economic inequities in the United States, giving rise to an oppositional culture. In Radical Media: Rebellious Communication and Social Movements, John Downing (2001) argues that oppositional culture does not…George Floyd5 min readGeorge Floyd5 min read
Published inDigital Media and Disruptive Change·Feb 7, 2021Oppositional culture definedMass, popular and oppositional cultures — Media studies are increasingly concerned with how media represents and shapes culture (Couldry, 2012), whether it be mass culture, popular culture or oppositional culture. Mass culture, represents the hegemony of institutionalized power and includes media that is a product of commercialized interests (broadcast TV, mainstream movies, major newspapers, commercial advertising)…Digital2 min readDigital2 min read
Published inDigital Media and Disruptive Change·Feb 6, 2021Data Collection — Digital ArchivesMind mapping the “George Floyd Digital Universe” — Plunged into a ‘once in a century’ global pandemic that required nationwide lockdowns to stem a fast spreading deadly virus (Covid-19), the year 2020 will prove to be a defining year for generations to come. In the midst of this pandemic, another event occurred that shocked the world. …4 min read4 min read
