MIGRAIN: Collective identity in the online age

Alezey

collective identity in the online age

Task 1: Media Magazine article

Read the Media Magazine article on collective identity: Self-image and the Media (MM41 - page 6). 
Complete the following tasks on your blog:

1) Read the article and summarise each section in one sentence, starting with the section 'Who are you?'

'WHO ARE YOU?'

- Our identity is shaped by how we present ourselves and by the media, which influences who we think we are, who we want to be, and how we want others to see us.

'I THINK, THEREFORE I AM'

- In the past, people’s identities were fixed by society, like class, religion, gender, and family. Who you were and how you acted was decided for you, and your appearance just showed your place in society.

'FROM CITIZEN TO CONSUMER'

- In the early 20th century, identity began to be shaped by consumer culture, with advertising encouraging people to buy things they wanted, not just needed. Advertisers used Freud’s idea of unconscious desires to sell products and create a sense of self-image based on fitting in and belonging.

'THE RISE OF INDIVIDUAL'

- In the late 1960s and 1970s, people started valuing individuality and wanted to express their uniqueness. Some theorists, like Lacan, argued we have multiple identities that change depending on situations. Advertisers used this idea to sell products as a way for people to create and show their chosen identity to others.

2) Do you agree with the view that modern media is all about 'style over substance'? What does this expression mean?

“Style over substance” means that modern media often focuses more on appearance, visuals, and image than on deeper meaning or important messages. I mostly agree with this view because many media texts prioritise looking appealing and attracting attention, although some still include strong and meaningful content.

3) Explain Baudrillard's theory of 'media saturation' in one paragraph. You may need to research it online to find out more.

Baudrillard’s theory of media saturation means we are surrounded by so much media that it becomes hard to tell what is real. The media creates its own version of reality, and because we see it all the time, we start to believe it and use it to understand the world.

4) Is your presence on social media an accurate reflection of who you are? Have you ever added or removed a picture from a social media site purely because of what it says about the type of person you are?

No, my presence on social media is not always an accurate reflection of who I am. I think people often choose what to show to look a certain way or fit in. Yes, I have added or removed pictures because I didn’t want them to give the wrong impression about the kind of person I am, but I don't often because I dont care what people think about my posts much.

5) What is your opinion on 'data mining'? Are you happy for companies to sell you products based on your social media presence and online search terms? Is this an invasion of privacy?

I think data mining can be useful, but it also feels worrying because it means companies know a lot about us. I don't really care that companies try to sell products based on my social media or search history but because it feels like they are watching and tracking what I do it gives me an odd vibe. It can be an invasion of privacy, especially when people don’t know how much information is being collected or who it is being shared with.

Task 2: Media Magazine cartoon

Now read the cartoon in MM62 (p36) that summarises David Gauntlett’s theories of identity. Write five simple bullet points summarising what you have learned from the cartoon about Gauntlett's theories of identity.

• Identity isn’t fixed; it can change over time depending on experiences.

• People can explore who they are by trying different roles or behaviours.

• Media and shows like Waybuloo can give ideas and inspiration for how to express yourself.

• Identity is created actively, not just something you are born with.

• Children can see different ways of being and learn that there isn’t just one “right” way to be.

Task 3: Representation & Identity: Factsheet blog task

Media Factsheet #72 on Collective Identity. 

1) What is collective identity? Write your own definition in as close to 50 words as possible.

Collective identity is when a group of people feel like they belong together because they share the same ideas, values, or goals. It comes from shared experiences, culture, or interests, and makes people see themselves as part of a bigger group rather than just as individuals.

2) How does James May's Top Toys offer a nostalgic representation of Britain?

James May's Top Toys shows nostalgia by bringing back old toys and setting them in places like the abandoned Brooklands race track. The broken track links to Britain’s past and shows how things have changed over time. The toys remind people of their childhood, making Britain seem creative, fun, and full of history.

3) How has new technology changed collective identity?

New technology has changed collective identity because people aren’t just passive audiences anymore. They can comment, post, create and share their own content, which means they help shape culture themselves. Collective identity is now built more around online communities, shared interests and social media interactions, rather than just where someone lives or their background.

4) What phrase does David Gauntlett (2008) use to describe this new focus on identity? 

The phrase Gauntlett (2008) uses to describe this new focus on identity is the “Make and Connect” agenda. He suggests that people aren’t just audiences anymore — they create things and connect with others, building identity through making and sharing content.

5) How does the Shaun of the Dead Facebook group provide an example of Henry Jenkins' theory of interpretive communities online?

The Shaun of the Dead Facebook group reflects Henry Jenkins’ theory because fans come together online to exchange ideas, jokes and interpretations about the film. Meaning is created through discussion within the group, not just by the filmmakers. This shows how audiences form online communities where they shape and develop their own shared understanding of a media text.