Since Rhinegold’s ‘The Virtual Community’ was printed in 1993, much has been written on the use of relatively new spaces for communion online, including focused studies on MUDs (Multi User Dungeons) (Cherny, 1999: 247-296), IRC (Internet Relay Chat) (Shaw in Jones 2002: 134-143) or, as in this case, forum based communities (Preece, 2001: 345-375).

I intend to use the term ‘online’ as an alternative to the term ‘virtual’ which is often used to describe the same concepts but has been criticised for its implication that online spaces are somehow less authentic than physical, offline ones (Cerulo in Rhinegold, 2000: 367).

Rather than looking at a new or established online community as many other studies have done, I am interested in the evolution and use of a new forum community, which has a physical counterpart that is already established. Related studies have looked at examples of towns and villages – geographical communities’ movements into and within an online realm (Wilmersdorf, 2003; Zook, 2002). There is still, however, currently a deficit in studies of the relationships between online and offline communities (Nip, 2004).

Using Sussex University LGBT group as a case study, I am interested in whether and how a flexible online community mirrors its physical counterpart and whether it reflects the physical environment of the community or alters its online environment to suit its needs. The developer of an online community should “work closely with members to understand their needs, to select appropriate software, and to develop good sociability and usability” (Preece, 2001: 346). As an active member of this local community, I was able to understand the dynamics and structure of the group and attempt to mirror these when initially building the online space, whilst also encouraging member co-operation and influence on the designs. Rather than creating a chat based system, a forum seemed more appropriate as it allows “community memory… some record of what was said or done in your absence” (Rhinegold 2000: 183).

Discussions with the group’s committee identified criticisms of the existing website for using too much Flash which future members could not edit and which did not work on all browsers. Ease of editing pages and forum administration for future members played a factor in the simplicity of the designs and choice of forum provider (see Fig 1). The existing LGBT website was also criticised for being ‘too gay’, i.e. too colourful. The importance of discretion was identified as a factor to take into account when designing the site, due to many users potentially viewing the site from public computers, libraries etc. and a number of users assumed to be sensitive about issues of sexuality.

The whole essay is available here: How does the creation of an online community relate to its physical counterpart? [PDF]

“Shag Types: Because women are easier to understand if you stereotype them”
(Maxim, 2006: 142).

The commodification of women under prostitution or marriage has been widespread in many societies and cultures for centuries. Second wave feminist calls for the sexual liberation of women in the 1970s might appear to be forgetting mainstream media’s representation of women as ‘things’. Such is the case in the February 2006 issue of Maxim magazine, where “things and girls” are deemed to deserve to share the same category listing on the contents page. Repeated explicit objectification of women enforces chauvinistic attitudes to the extent that concepts of women as ‘things’ purely existing in order to receive the male gaze and for the consumption and ownership by men are not challenged.

The whole essay is available here: How do mainstream ‘lads’ magazines’ represent women and construct concepts of femininity? [PDF]

The Power Of Beauty – Discuss

‘Beauty’ is rarely used in relation to anything male, therefore issues relating to the power of beauty almost exclusively describe issues relating to women. In our western culture, an ideal woman is beautiful. A beautiful woman’s attributes include definitions of body size and shape, skin tone and condition, hairstyle, facial features, symmetry and the observable care she takes of her body. Breasts should be on the large size and pert; there should be a tiny waist; average sized hips; long legs; no hair anywhere apart from on her head (10), where hair should be worn long, straight and blonde; full lips; large eyes and a small nose – these are the desirable traits for a woman.
“The stereotypes… program into young people an image of the dominant male and the subservient female that becomes second nature”. (8i)

Girls are taught that they must act subordinate and that beauty is the key to getting what they want, which is men with power, because men only see them as objects. In this way, girls are taught from an early age that they begin as a second class citizen, and beauty is the tool to be used to gain recognition, to be seen. Boys are taught in the same way to objectify women and that their only useful feature is their beauty.

The whole essay is available here:  The Power Of Beauty – Discuss [PDF]

This amazing account of Che’s journey through South America was surprisingly fluid and captivating. Amusing tales bring you closer to Che as another human being, a fun loving traveller, a young man with young dreams. There is no political analogy but as you are taken through his experiences of different cultures the influences which nurtured his existing strong political opinions are clear. The thoughts on his relationship with his best friend, mother and father express how Che was a sensitive, loving person.

It is rare that I read a book so good I can’t put it down. I was in LA when a nice guy in my youth hostel gave me the book, and once I started, I read dead straight for 6 hours till I went to sleep. Over the next 48 hours I carried it like a bible taking every opportunity to see what Che and his friend would get up to next. Basically, if you’re interested in Che’s philosophies but find political textbooks tiresome, this will make you understand him as a person rather than a historical event. Especially recommended to travellers or people interested in world culture as it gives great insight into South American culture of the time.