I found Dana's topic to be really interesting because the concept of using the internet as a replacement for consulting a professional goes far beyond pregnant women using it for medical information. I was intrigued by the thought of other people using the internet as a replacement tool as well. For example, websites can be used as organization tools to plan their own wedding instead of hiring a wedding planner, a resource for legal information instead of consulting a lawyer, or a guide for how to use or troubleshoot a computer instead of calling an IT specialist.
Rebecca's topic made me wonder about how personal preferences can get in the way of the loyalty of doctors to their patients. One of my doctors told me about her personal preference on how she would help me, but also gave me several options and asked what I would like to do. I feel like it could have been so easy for her to just tell me the method she preferred and gave me that medication without presenting me with any options. And I've definitely heard of that kind of thing happening with other people I know. There are debates on many medical topics out there and certain doctors have their own personal preferences with how they would treat a certain illness or steps to take to diagnose a certain disease. I think that doctors should be obligated to present their patients with information on all of their possible options as well as all side effects so that the patient can make the decision that best suits them.
Danielle's topic made me curious about the desensitization to violence that results from people playing violent video games. I'm sure that there are people who would argue that playing a video game does not affect how people act in real life, but I think the opposite. I wouldn't argue that every person who plays grand theft auto will steal a car and run people over with it, but I would argue that the games alters people's attitudes toward certain actions. If people are repeatedly stealing cars, shooting people, beating people up, killing people, raping women, etc., then they are likely to find it more acceptable and not react quite as passionately when this type of violence occurs in real life.
I found Jayne's topic on mistrust, jealousy, and infidelity on facebook to be somewhat psychological. I tend to think that the human brain is capable of tricking people into believing things that aren't necessarily true, such as making up situations that haven't occurred and then believing wholeheartedly that they are the truth. I haven't studied psychology at all, but I did find it interesting to think about the human brain in this way and wondered how people perceive actions differently. Relating to facebook, one person can see a wall comment that says "i had a really fun time last night" to mean several different things, but a jealous significant other might automatically assume that comment means something intimate probably occurred.
Niquesha's topic about homophobia in the Black community, especially in the religious Black community, reminded me of a conversation that happened in one of my classes last semester. Some people wonder, why would a group that is marginalized (the Black community) turn around and hold such a stigma for another marginalized group (the gay community) when they know how it feels to be a minority? This isn't the first time this re-victimization has happened. When white women began to form a radical movement demanding rights for women, they too held stigmas against the Black women that wanted to join the movement. And then there is the gay rights movement. People have always lumped transgender folk in with the gay community (even though gender identity and expression is different than sexual orientation) and when it came time to vote on laws the gay community abandoned our transgender brothers and sisters in hopes to alleviate some of the stigma and obtain rights for the gay community. I see it like this: one group that is marginalized wants to gain a respected place in the community and won't accept being an ally to another marginalized group (especially one that is seen as MORE marginalized) because they don't want to carry any of that stigma. I find it to be complete bullshit that people actually put faith in that logic, but that is what still exists out there today.
Emily chose a topic that brought up a lot of discussion in class: online dating and social inequalities such as racism and homophobia. I happen to think that the internet is a pretty accurate portrayal of what happens in reality. Real life attitudes and behaviors such as relationships, advertising, religion, art, entertainment, shopping, etc., are mirrored onto the internet. I find inequalities and oppression to be no exception. I think it's cool that Emily is going to get specific and focus on inequalities on dating websites because they are used by so many people and some people (usually people who are privileged) don't even notice the discrimination that happens so blatantly on these websites.
I thought Ben's topic was interesting because it is similar to mine, except that she is focusing on transmen and my paper encompasses how people use vlogging on youtube in general. My topic focuses a lot on using youtube as a tool for both self reflection and a sense of community. I think her topic is an interesting compliment to mine, as she delves deeper into the community aspect of youtube and is exploring how transmen use this community to ask for and give each other advice and stay connected for support.
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