Unfortunately, I couldn't create a video version of Brent, Davina & Jack's presentation " Politics of Power", but you can view it online by clicking here.
Congratulations everyone a job a well done & best of luck with rest of your studies.
This documentary explores the rise of anonymous & the spread of hacktivist movements. Take a look and let us know what you think (FYI: it contains some strong language, so maybe don't turn it on if you've got kids in the room).
Is a DDos attack a legitimate form of resistance?
What about malevolent software? Is that ok?
The first politically motivated computer worm was the WANK worm.
It caused massive problems for NASA. It was a protest against nuclear
power modules in rockets.You can read about the impacts from NASA's
perspective in the first chapter of this book if you're interested.
Does the legitimacy of a method of protest, like the worm or a DDOS attack, depend on what you're protesting and what you are disrupting?
Are the forms of protest outlined in the reading, lecture & doco effective?
Does this even work?
Why/Why not? How can/have the interwebs support(ed) & inform(ed) protest on the ground?
This documentary, from the 1980s, explores the overlap of a number of different networks and narratives, via a case study of the cane toad. Take a look at the chapter from Nexus (Buchanan, 2002) before you watch it. Then, while you watch, think about the different aspects of Buchanan's (2002) network theory (keystones, weak & strong ties, aristocratic networks, etc.) and how they relate to the overlapping social and ecological networks outlined in the film.
How can network theory help us understand the impacts of the cane-toad on the Australian eco-system? Or the impacts of extinction/invasive species in general?
What narratives of place and identity do you see at play in the film?
What power relations can you see between different actors in this case study?
What do you think of the analogy Buchanan (2002) draws between social and ecological networks?
Also, I know a lot of people are doing various ecological networks (or people/stuff/food networks with ecological impacts) so feel free to share interesting info, links, or case study related questions in the comments.
- Rhian
References
Buchanan, M. (2002). Nexus: Small worlds and the ground breaking science of networks. New York: W. W. Norton & Company
This video provides instructions on creating a Pecha Kucha (PK) style powerpoint presentation.
Pecha Kucha is a style of powerpoint presentation that began in Japan and has since spread across the world. PK presentations contain 20 slides, each visible for 20 seconds each, and a recorded narration.
I've been amazed by the content on these blogs over the past six weeks. You've created some amazing narratives. And, hopefully you've had some interesting adventures along the way. Remember to put the skills you've learned (i.e. academic blogging) on your resumes :-)
The portfolio feedback will probably centre around technical stuff - referencing, grammar, structuring evidence & arguments, etc. Things that will hopefully help when it comes to editing for your case studies.
Speaking of case studies ...
You will be assigned & sent details of your group for the final assignment this week. The groups need to be based on your case study theme (people, food, nature, stuff).
You also need to email me a dot point plan of your essay by midnight on Friday 27th sept. For a further 5% of your case study grade.
Also, ...
Do the Ma Mung (2005) reading and answer the tute quiz questions (located in the week 9 folder on learnJCU).
There are 3 short answer questions that you need to complete. You have two weeks to get it done (it closes at midnight on Oct. 5th and has been opened a week early to accommodate the shift around in the lecture order). Quiz Hint: Make sure you look at definitions and types of diaspora when you do the reading.
Finally, ...
Watch the lecture and share your thoughts on people networks, and diasporas (their similarities and differences); use the questions in the tute guide as, well .. a guide .. and let us know what you think.
p.s. Next week is lecture recess,
so remember to take at least little bit of guilt -free time out from studying.