Tag Archives: Process Posts

Process Post #13

Reading: Make Your Thing

summary: The author, Jesse Thorn, shares his experience of making independent media and making it his job. He started a college radio show called The Sound of Young America (now Bullseye) at the age of 19, and eventually transitioned to podcasting … Continue Reading

Process Post #12: The Fashion Daily’s Community Guidelines

Spreading hate has unfortunately become a very large part of the media, so much so that sometimes it almost becomes unavoidable. I have never really had a bad experience with receiving hate or negative comments from something I have posted over the years on social media, but then again, I keep all of my social media accounts private and only really follow people I know or are mutual with. That being said, I have definitely been on the receiving end of rude or hurtful comments either in real life or over text from people I wouldn’t have expected it from, and it definitely is not a good feeling. I typically don’t let these types of comments and scenarios get to me, but I can’t deny that it doesn’t hurt for at least a few minutes after either hearing or reading something negative about yourself. 

As this is the first public platform I have ever really had, I decided to keep my comments off for now as I wanted to be able to get comfortable sharing my work and myself with the public without any immediate judgment. I’m sure there are people who have come across my site that didn’t like it or had something negative to say, but had to keep that thought to themselves; as they should have regardless of whether or not I have a comment section or not. It is so easy to keep your thoughts to yourself. We do this every minute of every day, yet it seems like when it comes to the opportunity to express something hateful, many break their silence and jump at the opportunity. Everywhere you look on any media platform you will find hate comments, maybe even more than positive ones in some cases. A main reason as to why people are more inclined to share hate comments is because they can do so anonymously. An in class reading we did this week stated that, “a quarter of Internet users have posted comments anonymously” (Konnikova, 2013). 40% of which were users of ages 18-19 years old. As this article was published in 2013, anyone on social media could confirm that the number of anonymous users has skyrocketed since then.  When people can hide behind their screens and a fake username, they are less likely to have to deal with any consequences for their actions, and therefore feel that it is okay to share something hurtful. This is also known as the “online disinhibition effect” (Konnikova, 2013). This is a part of the reason why I have my comments turned off. Although it is unlikely that my website would reach a wide enough audience to receive many comments at all, I didn’t want to risk having to potentially deal with hateful comments because it can be draining, and I didn’t want to end up feeling self-conscious on a platform that I have created to be my own domain. 

Overall, if I were to have my comments on and if I do so in the future, here are what some of my community guidelines would look like…

  1. Personal attacks, along with offensive and distasteful comments will not be tolerated. These comments do not necessarily have to be directed only to me specifically. I would like The Fashion Daily to be a platform for anyone to be able to enjoy visiting, so comments that will hinder this in any way will be unacceptable.
  2. Treat others online as you would treat them in person. Hate comments will not be appreciated or tolerated in general, but at the end of the day, don’t use anonymity as a means to justify and allow such behaviour.
  3. Share your opinions, and provide constructive feedback should you have any! If and when I do open my comments up, I would love to hear different opinions and perspectives on some of the topics I post on. With this being said, this does not promote the opportunity to degrade my position or anyone else’s for that matter, and create more of an argument rather than a proper discussion.
  4. Communicate with respect when engaging in discussion with me or your peers.
  5. Comments that are not related to the topic of the post or theme of the overall website should not be posted on The Fashion Daily. This can look like spam comments, links to exterior inappropriate sources, etc.

Overall, I have designed The Fashion Daily in a way that has allowed me to not only feel comfortable sharing my content and being myself online, but protect myself as well. For now as I am still navigating what it means to be running a public domain, I would like to keep it this way. That being said, I am always curious as to what viewers of my site are thinking of the content, and would like to hear their feedback and comments one day in the future. Once this is the case, please follow these community guidelines to help keep the site a fun and comfortable space for not only myself, but for everyone visiting as well!

References

Konnikova, M. (2013). “The Psychology of Online Comments”. The New Yorker.

Process Post: Seven

Design Principles Within a Websites: Critiquing Kendrick Lamars Webpage

Within lecture we were joined by Mauve Page, a member in the department of publishing at Simon Fraser. In which she taught us how to be a critical examiners when it comes to web design, especially on the design principles that allow for an effective sight. Allowing us to view and critique other sites in order to better understand what principles work in offering a better look within our own webpages. Thus, with this new knowledge I decided to do a critical examination of my own, choosing to pick a part one of my favourite artists websites. 

Thus, without further ado I will be looking into Kendrick Lamar ’s oklama site. In which I don’t go through often, but was more just curious as to if/how famous music artists offer their information on webpages. Leading to itch my curiosity by jumping right in and critically evaluating it.

Balance:

When discussing balance of the design I’m referring to the distribution of visual elements on the page that create a sense of equilibrium and unity. This can be achieved through symmetrical or asymmetrical arrangements. However, the oklama website lacks balance, with disproportionate elements all over the page, it feels almost loop sided in a sense. While this may have been intended as differentiating his website from others, it ends up taking away from the sleek visual concepts he has going for it otherwise. Thus, making the page difficult for visitors to navigate efficiently by allowing confusion on what items we are to possibly start with or even what each uncentered file represents.

Proportion:

Moving on when diving into the proportions oklama offered it was hard to give it a gold star. For reference, proportion relates to the relationship between different visual elements, such as the size of text and images, or the spacing between elements. The oklama website has a few problems with proportion, such as the font size used for the navigation menu. The text is small and quite hard to read myself, let alone people who have visual impairments. As well, the elements from which to find content and interact with are miniscule too, leaving ample amounts of blank white space, almost too much. With this it is also clearly seen that the space between the elements is not equivalent to each other, showing disproportional placement of the files.

Contrast:

Lastly I looked into the contrast from which the design of the website offers. Now for contrast I refer to the use of color, texture, or other visual elements to create emphasis and differentiation between different elements on the page. This is one of the principles from which the website follows more, yet still it doesn’t use contrast overall effectively. The background and font colors are too similar, making the text difficult to read for some. Additionally, the good part is that due to the white background the visual elements/buttons they are wanting to be seen are easily viewed. This allows for their users to find and click on the content faster then if it where hidden by paler colour schemes. 

My Final thoughts

Though I may be biased as I love Kendrick as an artist, I truly do enjoy the full look of the website he offers to his fans. The ability to step outside of the ordinary design scheme that most sites follow has allowed the captivation and curiosity of those who enter to want to click on every button offered (though few). But as stated above no matter how much the younger audience and myself may personally value the website, it ultimately falls short within all the principles that Mauve discussed in our lecture. Leaving me sadly sour about the overall truth, but glad to have been able to critique and evaluate the design principles within his webpage. 

References:

Page, M. (2023). Web Design and Type on Screens [PowerPoint Slides]. Department of Publishing, Simon Fraser University.

oklama. (2021). Oklama.com. https://oklama.com/

Process Post #12

Comments, oh the power they hold. We always want comments. We want to feel like people care about what we’re putting out into the world. On an instagram post the more comments correlate to your ‘popularity’ in a sense. We love to feel supported and have that validation that our content is good, but is that validation really worth the hate that can come with it? Hate comments have a real effect on people and their mental health. Major youtubers, social media influences, and many more have closed their comment sections, so that they can keep the hate comments from accumulating on their platforms. 

I have never received a hate comment on any of my social media accounts. This is probably because I’m no one when it comes to having a following on these platforms, and I’m not a controversial figure. Even though I have not been on the receiving end of these hate comments I don’t think the solution to these comments is to not allow these comments to be posted. 

It’s unfortunate that people feel the need to pick apart people on the internet, but I do think there is a solution to this after reading what Maria Konnokova had to say in her piece in the New Yorker. She stated that “a quarter of Internet users have posted comments anonymously” (Konnokova, 2013, para. 2). This makes me wonder if we were somehow able to prevent people from posting comments anonymously if they wouldn’t post hurtful comments in the first place. I have found in life, and I think it’s pretty commonly known that people are less likely to say negative things to your face. The trouble with the internet is that these people can hide behind their screens while having anonymous profiles. I personally will not deactivate comments on my media platforms, but if I do see comments that I don’t like I think it is fair that I have the option to take them down. I want my viewers to know that I value their opinions and I want them to be able to say what on their mind, just as I am doing.

I am a firm believer that everyone has the right to their own voice, so who is to say what you can and can’t say on the internet. I think the way to go about the hurtful comments is to educate people about what these comments can do to a person. I would say from my own experiences that people are usually pretty supportive of each other, heck if bots can say they love my posts why can’t humans do the same! I don’t think this is an internet issue, but rather a humanity problem. 

References

Konnikova, M. (2013b, October 23). The Psychology of Online Comments. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/the-psychology-of-online-comments

Parting with Posiel

Well… this is it! My last process post for PUB 101. I’ve learned so much about blogging, marketability, and the online self in this course, and hopefully it shows through melatonin gone missing.

Reflecting On The Process

Despite this course only being 13 weeks long, it feels like I’ve grown exponentially over the semester, probably because posting weekly has forced me to consistently critique and improve my site. It feels like decades ago when I was feeling frustrated trying to set up my site, which is mostly documented in my second process post From Pinterest to WordPress. At that time, I was completely uneducated about what it really meant to own a website. So when I slowly started to pick up on blog design, SEO, user experience, accessibility, readability, typeface, analytics, and everything else I’ve touched on in my process posts thus far, I was a little shocked that there was so much that went into the websites and media we interact with every single day. Even if at some point in the future I forget what the term “personal cyberinfrastructure” means (although highly unlikely), I will always perceive published media through a different lens. A more critical one, but also one with more respect for the effort that goes into actualizing every single detail we take for granted.

My blog feels a lot like a gallery or a scrapbook of the beginning of my publishing journey, and it always feels extremely rewarding and fulfilling to scroll through and see how far it has come. I’ve grown to be very fond of blogging, and I am quite proud of the site I’ve created. I mean, I made and own a whole website… that’s pretty cool. melatonin gone missing truly feels like my own digital garden, and I’m not quite ready to let it die!

Looking Forward

That being said, I’m excited to continue blogging and sharing my most unimportant thoughts here. I thought of a few ideas of ways to expand the site in my post Melatonin’s Many Channels, which are always paths I could look into pursuing (especially social media), but before going any further with expansion and development, it is important to establish community guidelines. An easy and effective way to ensure user safety and my own safety is to add a page outlining what users can expect and what they should abide by on my blog. Some of the things I would likely include in my community guidelines are:

  • Be respectful and kind
  • No spam or hateful comments
  • Respect people’s privacy
  • No personal promotion

By having these guidelines made explicit, it should hopefully prevent any uncourteous or unwanted behaviour from my blog, which is meant to be a safe and cozy space for all. From my list, it is clear that most of these guidelines are related to blog comments and social interactions. In the modern age of social media, the effects of online hate have proven to be a) very real, and b) severely damaging. As discussed in the Jon Ronson’s Ted Talk “When online shaming goes too far“, and the article “The dark side of Guardian comments“, people’s online behaviours can be incredibly harmful, and can escalate into dangerous and out of control situations. These guidelines essentially are to prevent these situations from arising on my site.

Against my expectations, there have been a few comments on my posts from my friends and classmates that have all been sweet and supportive. I’ve learned that blog comments are a really fun place to interact with others and trade complements and ideas, in a different way than the usual social media comment. I think this is because there is a sort of detachment from your personal life, since you can choose any name to display with your comments (on WordPress, at least). Maria Konnikova explains that anonymity encourages participation, which is further expanded on in John Suler’s discussion of facets of the online self, and I think this is demonstrated in the comments on my posts. For example, Tori Vega’s comment on Toe is Broken (Up).

Saying Farewell

And that’s it! To Dr. Norman and all my classmates, it’s been a pleasure getting to know you and making content for you to stalk. I’ve really enjoyed this class, and it’s sad to say goodbye.

Lastly, huge shoutout to Micky, who’s support means the world to me! I’m so lucky to have a TA who understands and appreciates my content posts on a personal level 😉

Alright, melatonin… officially going missing.

References:

Basu, T. (2020, September 3). Digital Gardens let you cultivate your own little bit of the internet. MIT Technology Review. Retrieved March 2, 2023, from https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/09/03/1007716/digital-gardens-let-you-cultivate-your-own-little-bit-of-the-internet/

Campbell, G. (2009). A Personal Cyberinfrastructure. EDUCAUSE. https://er.educause.edu/articles/2009/9/a-personal-cyberinfrastructure

Gardiner, B., Mansfield, M., Anderson, I., Holder, J., Louter, D., & Ulmanu, M. (2016, April 12). The Dark Side of Guardian comments. The Guardian. Retrieved April 11, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/12/the-dark-side-of-guardian-comments

Konnikova, M. (2013, October 23). The psychology of online comments. The New Yorker. Retrieved April 11, 2023, from https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/the-psychology-of-online-comments

Ronson, J. (n.d.). When online shaming goes too far. Jon Ronson: When online shaming goes too far | TED Talk. Retrieved April 11, 2023, from https://www.ted.com/talks/jon_ronson_when_online_shaming_goes_too_far?language=en

Suler, J. (2001). The Online Disinhibition Effect. The Psychology of Cyberspace. https://truecenterpublishing.com/psycyber/disinhibit.html

Photo:

-, H. T., By, -, Heather TaylorIcon Researcher & Blogger at Advertising Week, Taylor, H., Icon Researcher & Blogger at Advertising Week, here, P. enter your name, & -, H. T. (2020, December 21). How celestial seasonings’ sleepytime bear became a tea icon. PopIcon.life. Retrieved April 11, 2023, from https://popicon.life/celestial-seasonings-sleepytime-bear-tea-icon/

Timing is everything

Analytics (Google, Facebook, Twitter etc.) is a very valuable tool for building your audience. For content creators, knowing how your reader behaves on your website can help enormously with developing the best content, posting at the right time, and developing the appropriate engagement strategies. On the flip side, for the reader or user, it can be tiresome and even worrisome knowing you are providing data trails every where you go online

When I was younger, I used to have a One Direction Instagram fan account. I think I was about 11-12.

I was able to gain between 5000-10k followers during that time (predominately other teen One Direction fans) and I was able to make a cool and functioning fan account.

However, A LOT of work went into making it. Firstly, the most important thing for Instagram engagement at the time is the use of hashtags. I had to make sure I used a bunch of different hashtags like #OneDirection #HarryStyles etc… and this was one of the ways I was able to gain followers.

Another tool I used was posting at the right times when my timeline was most busy. This made it possible for me to get a lot of likes at one time. For example, If I posted in the middle of the night I wouldn’t get many likes and my post would be hidden by the time everyone woke up. I found that posting around after school time was a good time to get good engagement on my posts.

This was all a lot of work, but for the engagement, I got it was worth it. I also gained skills that would be able to help me in the future if I pursue content creation especially with social media.

Process Post #10

I feel like I am really getting the hang of this blogging thing. I’m getting in a good routine and I like the content I’m putting out there. My site is coming together. The contents there, the aesthetic and look of the site is what I want, but there is a lack of readers. Although I didn’t create this blog for millions of viewers, it would be nice to have people read and follow what I put out there.

It has come to my attention that I need to utilize SEO. I have found this challenging because before this last week I had no idea what SEO was. All I was told was that “SEO is the most viable and cost-effective way to both understand and reach customers in key moments that matter” Hollingsworth, 2021, para. 2). When I was reading up on SEO’s and came across the idea which Hollingswoth stated, “SEO will certainly improve a website’s overall searchability and visibility” (2021, para.4) I knew I needed to implement SEO. In class my Pub 101 professor told us a joke that the best place to hide a dead body is on the second page of search, and that’s exactly where my site lies when a direct search is not used. My goal is to get on the main search page, and I now know that I can do that by using SEO.

After learning about SEO I have been changing a few things on my site. First  I have started by implementing tags on my posts and I have also been adding links to all the products I have talked about in my product reviews. 

I can’t expect my website to bow up in the first few months (there’s a good chance it never will). Right now I am laying the groundwork of what I want my website to be. I am creating credibility and authority which comes with time. I do think SEO could be a great way to grow my site, as it is a good tool to use for small companies with a niche. If I continue with my website after the end of this class I definitely will look into having SEO for my website. 

References

Hollingsworth, S. (2021b, August 9). 15 Reasons Why Your Business Absolutely Needs SEO. Search Engine Journal. https://www.searchenginejournal.com/why-seo-is-important-for-business/248101/#close

To Infinity and Beyond: The Future of Spilling the Royaltea

After twelve weeks of non-stop posting, PUB 101 has come to an end. But that doesn’t mean that Spilling the Royaltea has run out of potential, so here’s the plan for what’s to come.

To the Future

Over the course of these twelve weeks, I’ve really developed a love for blogging. I get to write about things that interest me without having to worry whether it would work well for an essay or whether it would be enough to get me a good grade. And having the opportunity to do things that I’d never get to do in other academic contexts, like using slang, or contractions, or starting my sentences with “so” and “and” has been so refreshing. I get the space to publish my own thoughts without thinking about what my prof will think with every word I write. So for all the above reasons and many more, I will be continuing with Spilling the Royaltea after the end of PUB 101.

In continuing my writing process, I’ll definitely keep writing posts for my hot takes, ranked, and news categories. In particular, the news category will have tons to talk about in the coming weeks, with King Charles’s coronation coming up in May. All in all, I’ll keep challenging my audience to think differently about issues and not always take for granted what they read or hear in the mainstream. And if they want light and fluffy, they’ll still have that too in the form of the “ranked” category and “Fashion, FAST!” segment.

I also want to bring back my “the chronicles of Harry and Meghan” category. Since I won’t be taking any courses in the summer, I’ll have plenty of time to watch the documentary and read the memoir, and I’m sure I’ll have lots to say about both.

And I might even create a few new categories too, like a “hot topics” category. I’ve noticed that when writing my hot takes, there are some things that I haven’t really made a final decision on, like whether the monarchy should be abolished and whether we should be worried that Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will end up like Prince Harry. So maybe in this section, I could discuss both sides of the argument and invite readers to weigh in too.

Even More Web Design Improvements

Of course, I still want to work on my website design skills. I might even take off the training wheels and redesign Spilling the Royaltea without a template, like Gertz suggests. Now that I know the basics of WordPress, I think it’s time to branch off and try to do things my own way instead. There are still a bunch of elements I’d like to change, but my template is preventing me from actually making these changes.

For example, when readers click on one of the categories on the menu bar, I want them to see little previews of several different posts instead of the big featured image being the first thing they see. I also never got around to making a logo, which I think is one of the most important parts of website branding. So I will definitely get to that too.

Example from "melatonin gone missing" of the post previews I would like to include on my website. Features short previews of each post with a small featured image.
Example from “melatonin-gone-missing.com” of the post previews I would like to include on my website

Overall, these changes will culminate in realizing the ultimate potential of my personal cyberinfrastructure, which will represent me and me only. And, since the site will no longer feature PUB 101 content, I can focus solely on royal family content. I might even consider archiving the PUB 101 section and making my site a fully-functioning royal family gossip site with no affiliations to SFU.

Community Guidelines

I also hope that in my future content, people start interacting more with my content, so with this comes the responsibility of creating community guidelines to ensure that Spilling the Royaltea remains a safe and uplifting community for royal family followers.

The four pillars I’ve developed for Spilling the Royaltea include respect, tolerance, openness, and togetherness. These four aspects relate most strongly to the comment section, which can end up pretty nasty if not carefully regulated. Konnikova even writes that the magazine, Popular Science decided to ban comments because of the “culture of aggression and mockery” it can cause. So that’s why I want readers to be respectful of each other when commenting, tolerant of others’ opinions and ideas, open to listening to and learning from different perspectives, and feel a sense of togetherness and community for learning and sharing.

And to protect both myself from seeing any hate comments (which, thankfully, I haven’t received yet), I’ll be regulating my comment section from those “anonymous” users who think it’s so easy to hide behind a screen and comment mean things just because it’s harder to identify them, like Konnikova describes. I’ll approve of comments as they come, and hopefully, this will keep things safe, inclusive, and welcoming on Spilling the Royaltea, which is all I could ask for as a website owner.

Here’s to the last process post and to a new chapter of Spilling the Royaltea. Olivia, signing out.

References:

Campbell, G. (2009). A personal cyberinfrastructure. EDUCAUSE Review44(5), 58. https://er.educause.edu/articles/2009/9/a-personal-cyberinfrastructure

Gertz, T. (2015, July 10). How to sur­vive the dig­i­tal apocalypse. Louder Than Ten. https://louderthanten.com/coax/design-machines

Konnikova, M. (2013). The psychology of online comments. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/the-psychology-of-online-comments

Wong, O. (2023). Hot takes. Spilling the Royaltea. http://spilling-the-royaltea.com/category/hot-takes/

Wong, O. (2023). Ranked. Spilling the Royaltea. http://spilling-the-royaltea.com/category/ranked/

Wong, O. (2023). News. Spilling the Royaltea. http://spilling-the-royaltea.com/category/news/

Photo:

Disney. (n.d.). [Buzz Lightyear] [Image]. https://wegotthiscovered.com/movies/is-buzz-lightyear-named-after-buzz-aldrin/

Process Post #11: Expanding The Fashion Daily?

For this week’s process post, I will be discussing Transmedia, and how I can incorporate it more in my online presence/publications. With so many different modes of communication online, the need for a source to have multiple platforms is crucial in order to maximize your potential audience and overall engagement. Firstly, you may be thinking, “What is Transmedia?”. In short, Transmedia is essentially the technique of storytelling or sharing across multiple different media platforms. Whether that is through social media, apps, products, or games, these are only a few examples of Transmedia outlets that a creator can use to expand their brand image.This is something I have yet to incorporate into my website. Since I have designed this website for a class, I think that I have created a solid primary platform for The Fashion Daily, and I am shocked with how many viewers have visited my site from around the world and let alone been able to come across it with such little promotion. As I am not necessarily looking to establish The Fashion Daily as a serious brand for myself yet, I am happy with the level of engagement I have seen without the integration of Transmedia. If and when I would like to take up this page outside of class and have it become a more serious and established platform, Transmedia outlets will be a crucial aspect in the growth of my website and The Fashion Daily name altogether. 

In Bryce J Renninger’s, “”Where I can be myself…where I can speak my mind”: Networked Counterpublics in a polymedia environment”, it describes how Transmedia not only enables audiences growth, but it allows for viewers/audiences to connect and share the media as well.  In a reference within the article from IIana Gershon, they state that, “people figure out together how to use different media and often agree on the appropriate social uses of technology by asking advice and sharing stories with each other” (2014). This is especially true with social media. As my website caters to more of a late teen – young adult audience, having a social media presence would greatly help grow the audience of The Fashion Daily, and it would allow for a new creative outlet. My friends and I are constantly sharing media with each other on a daily basis and it is often how we find out about new trends, interests, products, etc. Social media is often where I discover brands and products that I then share with my friends. If The Fashion Daily were to have a social media presence, I think it would really increase engagement due to this widespread use of social media sharing. As I mentioned above, my website and content cater towards a younger audience, which like myself, most likely relies on social media to share and consume content. If The Fashion Daily were to have an Instagram account for example, this media outlet would make the website more accessible and known amongst my target audience as they would be more likely to search for fashion trends and information on that platform, rather than a website URL itself. 

Overall, if I were to integrate Transmedia into my website, I think that creating an Instagram account would be the next best platform to share my content on. On Instagram, fashion is always trending and creating a good aesthetic is what will allow for you to gain a following. With The Fashion Daily being a fashion blog, an aesthetic would be easier to develop and express, and therefore I think that Instagram would be the perfect place to expand the creativity of the website I have designed so far. While I will not likely get this up and running before the end of the semester, keep an eye out for The Fashion Daily on your explore page in the future!

References 

Renninger, B.J. (2014). Where I can be myself…where I can speak my mind”: Networked Counterpublics in a polymedia environment. New Media and Society. Volume 17, Issue 9. SAGE Journals. https://journals-sagepub-com.proxy.lib.sfu.ca/doi/epub/10.1177/1461444814530095

Feature Image Generated by DALL-E. (2023).

Process Post #12: Website Guidelines

Website Guidelines

Reading the article titled The dark side of Guardian comments explains how comments vary depending on the type of article. It was found that articles written by women got more negative comments, as well as articles about world news,  opinion, and environment (Gardiner et al., 2016).

Reading this article made me reflect on the guidelines that I would like to implement on this website. On this website, I have comments enabled; therefore, there is the possibility of receiving rude or hateful comments. One way that I will ensure comments on my website remains respectful is through preventing comments from automatically being made public. The comment settings on my website require me to approve them before they are seen by the public. This way, I can screen through the comments I receive and only approve respectful ones.

Additionally, I may decide to block offensive words from being commented on to avoid having to deal with disrespectful comments. As of right now, the comment section is not my biggest concern; however, as my website starts getting more attention and comments, I may decide to put more limitations on my comments.

Another precaution I may decide to take if comments become offensive is publish a guideline page regarding respectful audience behaviour. I may decide to write about audience expectations on this website to encourage respectful behaviour and to create a community where my audience can connect and share their thoughts.

References

Gardiner, B., Mansfield, M., Anderson, I., Holder, J., Louter, D., & Ulmanu, M. (2016, April 12). The Dark Side of Guardian comments. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/12/the-dark-side-of-guardian-comments

Process Post #11: Transmedia Integration

Transmedia Integration on My Website

The article called Pokemon as Transmedia Storytelling shares how this fictional world has expanding to many forms of media. For instance, Pokemon is present in books, TV shows, video games, card games, and much more (Whippersnappers, 2013). Pokemon has found a way to attract an audience in many forms of media.

This made me reflect on my website and if I could create transmedia content. Upon reflection, I do not believe I want to implement transmedia integration into my online website. I believe that transmedia integration would not make sense with my website’s vision. The way that I think of transmedia integration for this website is through expanding my website to multiple channels. For instance, I could create an Instagram account, a podcast, or a YouTube channel as an extension to my website. One thing that I enjoy about my website is the idea of my website being in one place. I like that every piece of content I publish is accessible through blog posts.

One way that I could integrate transmedia content is through providing links to my other platforms onto this website. For instance, if I were to make a YouTube channel, I could have a category in my website’s menu that connects to the YouTube channel. Although I am not opposed to the idea of creating content on other platforms, at this point in my life, I would like to stick to publishing on my website.

Situations where I would consider posting on other platforms, such as YouTube, is if something huge and exciting occurred in my life. For instance, if I were to go on a month long trip, I would consider vlogging highlights of my trips. This video would provide additional content that would support my blog posts about my trip. I did something like this in Mini Assignment #3 where I created a video that recapped my trip to LA in January. I think that if I were to implement transmedia integration into my website, I would do it through short videos.

References

Whippersnappers. (2013, November 21). Pokemon as transmedia storytelling. kevinbrittenylauren. https://kevinbrittenylauren.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/pokemon-as-transmedia-storytelling/

process posts#12

The commonplace understanding of comments sections as terrible comes from the prevalence of online abuse and harassment that can occur in these spaces. Online abuse and harassment can take many forms, including hate speech, cyberbullying, trolling, and doxxing. These behaviors can be harmful and intimidating, especially to individuals from marginalized groups who are already underrepresented in online spaces.

Despite the risks, many sites have comments sections as a way to encourage engagement and foster community. Comments sections can provide a platform for readers to share their thoughts, offer feedback, and engage in dialogue with each other and with content creators. However, sites need to take measures to ensure that their comments sections are safe and inclusive spaces that promote healthy discussion.
while comments sections have the potential to foster community and engagement, they can also be hotbeds for online abuse and harassment. Site owners can promote healthy discussion and create a safe and inclusive space by establishing clear guidelines, investing in moderation, and taking swift action against abusive behavior.

reading

Jon Ronson’s 2015 article “When Online Shaming Spirals Out of Control” explores the phenomenon of online shaming and its potential to spiral out of control. Ronson argues that the internet has created a culture of shame in which individuals can be publicly shamed and humiliated for perceived wrongdoings, often without due process or consideration for the consequences.

The article highlights several high-profile cases of online shaming, including the case of Justine Sacco, who tweeted a poorly thought-out joke about AIDS before boarding a plane, only to find that the tweet had gone viral and resulted in widespread condemnation and harassment. Ronson argues that online shaming can be a form of collective punishment that can have long-lasting and devastating effects on the individual being shamed.

Ronson also explores the psychology behind online shaming, including the role of empathy and the impact of anonymity. He argues that online shaming can be a form of moral outrage that allows individuals to signal their moral superiority and feel a sense of belonging to a larger group.

Overall, Ronson’s article raises important questions about the ethics of online shaming and the impact it can have on individuals and society as a whole. It highlights the need for greater empathy, nuance, and context in online discourse, and the importance of considering the consequences of our words and actions in a digital age.

process posts#11

When it comes to reading online, people tend to scan and skim content rather than read word for word. This is because online content is often presented in a format that makes it easy to quickly digest, such as short paragraphs, bullet points, and subheadings.

In terms of different channels reinforcing each other, it can be effective to have a presence across multiple platforms, such as your website, social media, and email marketing. This allows you to reach your audience in different ways and ensures that they are more likely to see your message. For example, you might share a new blog post on your website and then promote it on social media, which can help drive traffic back to your website.

Bryce J Renninger’s 2014 article “Where can I Be myself… where I can speak my mind: Networked counterpublics in a polymedia environment,”: Networked counterpublics in a polymedia environment” explores the concept of “counterpublics” in the context of online media. Renninger argues that networked counterpublics, which are alternative public spheres created by marginalized groups, have become increasingly important in a polymedia environment.

The article examines how networked counterpublics are created and sustained through a variety of online platforms, including social media, blogs, and forums. Renninger also explores the ways in which networked counterpublics can reinforce and amplify each other, creating a broader impact on public discourse.

Overall, Renninger’s article sheds light on the ways in which online media can be used to create alternative public spheres, and the potential impact these counterpublics can have on shaping public discourse.

Scrolling Through The Shadows

Process Post #12

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Swim Creative

As an 18-year-old female who has been active on several different social media platforms, I’ve seen my fair share of negative comments. While I always knew they were unpleasant, I never realized just how much of an impact they could have on my mental and physical health.

In the readings this week, Maria Konnikova’s “The Psychology of Online Comments” explains that “negative comments can trigger our brain’s stress response, leading to feelings of anxiety and even physical symptoms like increased heart rate and blood pressure.” (Konnikova, 2013). Yes, you read that right, physical symptoms from online comments! That is serious stuff.

Comments can also affect our self-esteem, making us doubt ourselves and our abilities. I’ve definitely experienced these effects firsthand. When someone leaves a comment saying I “don’t know what I’m talking about”, or if I don’t get a “like” from a friend, it’s hard not to take it personally. It also makes me question everything I post. Even if I know that I’m doing my best and that I’ve put a lot of time and effort into my content, negative comments can still bring me down.

Joel Stein’s “How Trolls are Ruining the Internet” takes a broader look at the culture of hate on the internet and the ways in which it’s shaping our online interactions. He argues that social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook have “made it easier than ever to attack and harass others, and that this has contributed to a larger culture of negativity and hostility online.” (Stein, 2016).  I’ve seen this firsthand this week at SFU, where hateful comments have exploded on the SFU Athletics social channels in response to cancelling the football team. It makes me worry about the kind of world we’re creating online.

While it’s impossible to completely eliminate these kinds of hurtful comments, I think it’s important for all of us to work together to create a more positive and supportive online environment. This means standing up against hate speech and harassment, but also actively promoting kindness and empathy in our own interactions with others.

I make an effort to respond to comments in a positive and respectful way, even if I don’t necessarily agree with what someone is saying. I ensure my comments are constructive, not critical. I think it’s important to remember that behind every comment is a real person with real feelings, and that we have the power to either uplift or tear down those around us.

As a blogger, I try to do my part by moderating comments and deleting those that are particularly hateful or hurtful. I decided that ensuring my blog is a safe and positive environment for everybody is more important than my SEO and potential site traffic. So, I am keeping my restriction on anonymous comments. While this reduces the number of comments I receive on my site overall, it limits the amount of hate comments, as people are less likely to spread hate when their name and email are attached. Additionally, comments must still be approved by me, so I can delete anything negative. I also went into my comment settings and blocked certain words. Comments that contain words such as ugly, stupid, or die, along with slurs, will automatically be put in the trash. Hate has no place on my website. As I was reflecting, I decided that I have no problem with some swear words in my comments, as my site isn’t exactly geared towards kids. However, I did block a few of the more graphic swears. I just don’t want to read comments containing those words, whether they are hateful or not. I am hoping these adjustments limit the potential hate I receive, as well as hate towards other commenters and the people I write about.

By working together to promote kindness and empathy, I think we can create a better online world—one that’s more supportive, more inclusive, and more respectful of everyone’s right to express themselves freely and without fear of harassment or ridicule.  If that doesn’t work I am all for a good old fashioned social media cleanse.

Check out benefits and ways to detox from social media here!

Works Cited

Konnikova, M. (2013, October 23). The psychology of online comments. The New Yorker. Retrieved April 8, 2023, from https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/the-psychology-of-online-comments

Stein, J. (2016, August 18). How trolls are ruining the internet. Time. Retrieved April 8, 2023, from https://time.com/4457110/internet-trolls/

Social Media Overload

Process Post #11

Cartoon women holding a laptop. She's surrounded by a ring of different social media icons.
Express Analytics

We are constantly inundated with messages about the importance of having a strong social media presence. From Instagram to TikTok to Twitter, there seems to be an endless number of platforms to choose from. While I understand the benefits of connecting with others and sharing my experiences online, I find myself feeling hesitant and even fearful about creating multiple social media channels.

One reason for my reluctance is the pressure to present a certain image of myself online. As one of our readings, by Bryce Renninger discusses in “Where I can be myself … where I can speak my mind” (Read that article here!), social media has become a space where individuals can curate their identities and project a certain image to the world. While this can be empowering, it can also be exhausting. I worry that by creating multiple social media channels, I will have to constantly monitor and update each one to ensure that I am presenting the “right” image of myself. I also have to create unique, curated content for each social channel, and I worry that all that extra work will suck the fun out of my blog.

This pressure to conform to societal expectations can be overwhelming, and it is one of the main reasons why I hesitate to create multiple social media accounts. Personally, I only use Instagram because I found that other socials were harming my mental health. Constantly keeping up with them was to much for me, and I felt I was missing out on my own life. Although, I did create a TikTok for “Friday’s with Frosty” to expand my content (Check it out by clicking here!), each time I posted, I deleted the app. I felt this kept me from getting hooked and falling into a negative spiral. Every time I wanted to create a new video, I had to re-install TikTok. In fact, as soon as this class is over I will be deleting my TikTok account for good.

Another reason for my reluctance is the fear of being judged or criticized. In today’s society, it seems like everyone has an opinion about everything, and social media has only amplified this phenomenon. While I understand that not everyone will agree with everything I post online, the thought of receiving negative comments or criticism is daunting. Renninger’s discussion of networked counterpublics in a polymedia environment resonates with me here. Social media has created a space where individuals can connect with like-minded people and form their own communities. While this can be a positive thing, it can also create an echo chamber where opposing views are not heard or acknowledged.

Despite my fear and reluctance, I do see the value in social media as a tool for storytelling and self-expression. My blogging experience has empowered me.  I like the pace—no pressure to post everything all the time. I like the space—I can fully develop my thoughts and ideas without character limits. I really like that I don’t feel that pressure to constantly check my posts—I am not tied to likes. The fact that I don’t have followers also takes some of the pressure off. When I am writing I don’t think about all the people who will see my content. I am just able to write what I think. It is freeing.

Although I have my issues with social media, I came up with ideas for a potential “Fridays with Frosty” expansion. All this content would create traffic back to my blog.

An infographic titled "Friday's with Frosty Multiple Channel Expansion Plan" beside cartoon social media notifications. 

Section 1 - TikTok
Continue making trend videos, "my ratings", and  "this or that" content. Include celeb drama breakdowns or "beef backstories". TikTok logo accompanies text. 

Section 2 - Instagram 
Create pop culture memes and "clickbait" posts that connect to my other content. No reels. Instagram logo accompanies text. 

Section 3 - Youtube 
Podcast-style videos with special guest appearances. Different opinions. YouTube logo Accompanies text. 

Section 4 - Twitter
Sarcastic one liners. No threads. My first thoughts/  floating out content ideas. Twitter logo accompanies text. 

Section 5 - My Blog 
Continue writing article-style commentary on pop culture. Cartoon webpage accompanies text.

Works Cited

Renninger , B. (2014). “Where I can be myself … where I can speak my mind … – sage journals. “Where I can be myself … where I can speak my mind” : Networked counterpublics in a polymedia environment. Retrieved April 8, 2023, from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1461444814530095

WEEK 12

It is now the final week of this class and I’m completely done writing everything except this last process post. I thought I could summarize my entire process of creating my blog as this is the last post. In the beginning my site was a very simple one page with all my content coming one after another. The background was white and the text was black, everything was really simple and lacked any personality besides the few pictures I had at the time. After a while It was getting really cluttered and confusing to distinguish what type of post you were reading so I decided to try something new with having the homepage be just a page with 4 buttons, one for content posts, one for process posts, one for mini assignments, and one for peer reviews. I liked the style of this because it was really simple but at the same time it made the homepage an extra step to get anywhere on my site and I knew eventually it wouldn’t work because I had to add more sections for the essay and about me. This made me once again change the style up completely to what I have now. Now the homepage acts as the content posts page and has a navigation bar at the top to get to every other part. The sections I have are for home (content posts), process posts, mini assignments, peer reviews, my essay, and about. I changed the background colour to an off white as it’s a little easier on the eyes and I also added a dark mode for if you’re using my site late at night. I think it’s been a very tough process to get to where I’m at now, especially with all the trouble I had at the start to even get my site to work in the first place, but I’m happy with where it’s at for now. The readings this week are mostly about community guidelines and comments. The readings; The Psychology of Online Comments and The dark side of Guardian comments, talk about how interactions on the internet are oftentimes more aggressive and negative compared to real life. They mention the online disinhibition effect which explains why people say things they wouldn’t say in person because of the sense of detachment and anonymity they get from being behind a screen. It also talks about trolling which is when people post comments they know will make you have a reaction and they get joy from the attention they receive when you respond to them. I don’t think this necessarily affects my website as I have yet to receive any comments on my posts and don’t think anyone actually reads the content I’m posting but I will definitely take this into account when using the internet elsewhere for example on social media. I don’t think the best way to combat this is by removing comments and banning users as it doesn’t really affect them as they can always just make new accounts, but rather I think the best way to combat this is to just simply ignore it as if they don’t receive a reaction they’ll eventually stop

References

Gardiner, B., Mansfield, M., Anderson, I., Holder, J., Louter, D., & Ulmanu, M. (2016, April 12). The Dark Side of Guardian comments. The Guardian. Retrieved April 8, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/12/the-dark-side-of-guardian-comments

Konnikova, M. (2013, October 23). The psychology of online comments. The New Yorker. Retrieved April 8, 2023, from https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/the-psychology-of-online-comments 

Process Post #12

This is my final post on the course, and I’m sad it’s ending. That’s why it’s lengthy, as I don’t want to finish it unconsciously. The course has been a great source of enlightenment for me, both in real-life situations and online. I’ve learned many new and practical skills, which has made me enthusiastic about pursuing my minor in publishing. I’ve found something that I’m passionate about, and I want to continue with it. 

 

The most valuable thing I’m taking away from this course is the motivation to start my small business, which I plan to launch in the summer. My buisiness will specialize in creating texture canvas art. And I’m so excited to apply all I’ve learned  from this course to this and my future UX/UI designer career. I want to thank you Suzanne, Mickey, and my amazing classmates, for making this experience so impressive and memorable!!

 

 So, let’s dive into online hate topic as my very last process post topic, using a recent case study to illustrate its prevalence!

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Photo credit: unsplash

The prevalence of online hate has become an infamous problem, but why has it become so normal? The power of social media can make or break a person’s life in a matter of hours. The Justine Sacco case is one such example where a tweet intended to be a joke caused an uproar on social media, and she became the target of intense online shaming.

 

Likewise, Iraj Tahmasb, a well-known TV presenter in Iran, faced backlash on social media after cracking a joke about the detention of girls protesting during the 2022 Woman Life Freedom protests in Iran. The joke was seen as insensitive and offensive, causing a lot of outrage among people who demanded that he be held accountable for his words.

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Tahmasb and his puppets-Mehmoon Series

The episode of the Mehmooni series- which takes place in a fictional wedding hall located next to Tahmasb’s newly acquired home, introduces a variety of new puppet characters who are primarily workers at the wedding hall-features a conversation between Sirus, played by Sohail Rahbar Zare, and Tahmasab. 

When Tahmasab inquired if the upcoming year would be better than the previous one, Sirus replied that the last year was much better since they took his sister. Tahmasab was taken aback and asked if his sister had been caught or had gone missing. Sirus revealed that she had gone to work on the streets and that a boy had seen her, meaning she had married. Sirus then asked Tahmasab if he was happy, to which he replied. Finally, Sirus urged Tahmasab to wish his sister happiness. The word “caught” resonated with many people as a reference to the government’s arrest of young girls during the 2022 protests in Iran.

 In response to what happened on his TV show, Shervin Hajipour, the popular grammy-winner singer which I previously mentioned him in my third content post, expressed his thoughts on Twitter as well. In 20 May 2022, he tweeted, “I wish Iraj Tahmasab was my uncle,” but in a recent response to the same tweet, he said, “Not anymore.”Atash Shakarami, Nika Shakarami’s aunt- a victim of the uprising-noted that the joke was akin to torture. Azadeh Samadi, an Iranian actress, critiqued Tahmasb’s anti-woman speeches and views, urging him to reconsider and not ruin her childhood memories. Samadi also questioned Tahmasab about his limited use of women, to which he replied that women aren’t funny. According to Stein J. in the secrect life of internet trolls, this statement represents a clear example of misogyny towards women.

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Shakarami's instagram story
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Shervin's Tweets
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Samadi's Instagram post

 

 

The situation that followed could be described as an example of cancel culture. Tahmasb faced much criticism and backlash on social media, with many demanding his dismissal and boycotting him. This incident caused a ripple effect, with many social media users expressing disappointment and anger towards Tahmasb’s actions. Some individuals even went as far as to label his comments as misogynistic and disrespectful towards women. However, many others believed the situation was a misunderstanding and was blown out of proportion. This occurrence sparked a lively debate about the responsibility of comedians to be sensitive to social issues and the role of humour in society.

 

The problem with cancel culture is that it often leads to a rush to judgment, with little regard for due process or the facts of the case. In the case of Tahmasb, I believe many people jumped to conclusions without actually watching the segment in question. Instead, they reacted to the outrage on different websites and platforms comment sections with a biased mind-set and joined the condemnation bandwagon.

 

This is not to say that Tahmasb’s allusion was in good taste. It clearly was not. But the rush to judgment and the intensity of online shaming is a worrying trend that is becoming all too common in our digital age. We have to be careful to keep the power of social media from leading us to a place where we lose sight of the value of free speech and the need for open dialogue.

 

Another frequent critique of online commentary is the potential mismatch between a commenter’s stated views and their actual identity. This reminds me of the “online disinhibition effect,” a phrase coined by John Suler, which I find particularly relatable.

 

I believe when people are online, they may act differently than they would in person because they can remain anonymous and have no real consequences for their actions. This can sometimes result in them expressing themselves hostilely or disrespectfully. Additionally, factors like group dynamics, their emotional state, and their desire to fit in with others may influence how they behave. 

 

Konnikova, in the Psychology of Online Comments, suggests that negative behaviour in comment sections is complex and influenced by psychological and social factors while also pointing out that the way comments are displayed or moderated can impact behaviour. To promote respectful interactions, online platforms and individuals have a role.

 

No matter where you stand on the issue, I think it’s pretty evident that online bullying and harassment are happening more often than ever. Guidelines are set up for commenting to ensure everyone is having kind and respectful discussions online. But let’s face it, and not only some people follow these rules. So it’s up to us to be careful with what we say and do online.

 

I’m not trying to defend Tahmasb, but it bothers me how trolls and cancel culture have taken over in this digital age. Even if someone has an excellent track record and is highly respected, one mistake can lead to them being cancelled without considering everything they’ve accomplished. It’s essential to address online abuse and harassment; treating others with respect and kindness online is just as crucial as in person. The case study I mentioned highlights that we all have a part to play in creating a positive online community.

 

Based on the discussion of the dangers of cancel culture and the power of social media in the case of Iraj Tahmasb, online communities need guidelines to ensure that they are safe and inclusive spaces for all. To achieve this, it is essential to develop community guidelines that balance free speech and social justice while promoting open dialogue and constructive criticism.

 

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photo credit: unsplash

The proper guidelines will vary depending on the specific site and its goals. Still, some key considerations might include rules against hate speech, harassment, and bullying, as well as guidelines for respectful disagreement and constructive criticism. Additionally, it may be essential to have clear policies around anonymity and pseudonyms and procedures for reporting and responding to guidelines violations.

As mentioned by Ball in the Dark Sides of Guardian Comments, implementing these guidelines will require combining technology, moderation, and community engagement. This might involve using automated filters to detect and remove abusive content and human moderators who can review and address reported violations. It will also be essential to involve the community in the moderation process through mechanisms such as user reporting and feedback and community-led initiatives to promote positive and inclusive discourse.

 

Developing and implementing community guidelines is crucial to creating safe, inclusive, and constructive online communities. By balancing the need for free speech with the importance of social justice and open dialogue, we can create spaces where everyone feels welcome and valued and work towards building a better and more tolerant society.

 

 In onclusion, the case of Iraj Tahmasb is a cautionary tale about the dangers of cancel culture and the power of social media to influence public opinion. We must learn to balance the need for social justice with the value of free speech and the importance of open dialogue. We need to create a culture where people feel safe to make mistakes without fear of being cancelled or ostracized. Only then can we hope to build a truly inclusive and tolerant society?

Bibliography: 

 

Ball, J. (2016, April 12). The dark side of Guardian comments. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/apr/12/the-dark-side-of-guardian-comments

 

Konnikova, M. (2013, October 28). The psychology of online comments. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/the-psychology-of-online-comments

 

Ronson, J. (2015, March). When online shaming goes too far [Video]. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/jon_ronson_when_online_shaming_goes_too_far?language=en


Suler, J. (2004). The online disinhibition effect. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 7(3), 321-326. https://doi.org/10.1089/1094931041291295

 

Stein, J. (2016, August 18). The secret life of internet trolls. TIME. https://time.com/4457110/internet-trolls/

Process Post: 🤬HATE COMMENTS 💬

Not to brag, but I’ve received many comments. Coming from my mom, friends, and even myself (I need to boost up anyway I can). Sure, some of the comments may have been forced by me, sorry Brady, but overall they have been positive and welcomed. 

I have, however, received a hate comment. At first, sure it affected me and it hurt to see that someone would go out of their way to say something hurtful but overall I tried to brush it off. It supposedly came from someone I knew, the email and name were of someone I used to be friends with. But I thought, how stupid would you have to be to put your REAL name and email on a hate comment where someone could track you? I don’t know, maybe they really are that stupid, but honestly, I think they would be smarter than that.

The comment said, “Ur writing is shit”. Okay…and? My whole website was not made because I’m passionate about writing and I hope to one day become a successful and published author, it was made because I am part of a publishing class where I have created a website about food. You aren’t crushing my dreams because of this comment, and honestly writing it shows your fan behaviour. At least that’s what I was constantly telling myself to make sure I didn’t text anyone who had beef with me and try to confront them about it.

In the article “The dark side of Guardian comments”, apparently “articles written by women attract more abuse and dismissive trolling than those written by men, regardless of what the article is about”. I mean it makes sense, I would think that trolls, those who write hateful comments, have a mindset that even behind a screen, men have more power than women. Because of this mindset, they would be less likely to post something on a man’s website or article than a woman’s. Now, I don’t think that because I am a woman that is why I received a hate comment. I think because the person feels small, has no way of expressing themselves, and feels they have no power in person to ever talk to me like they would online, THAT is why they wrote the comment. But I do think that they probably would not do the same thing if they were “beefing” with a guy.

Honestly, I could care less what this person thinks. I don’t even care if I know them in person and still talk to them on a day-to-day basis. People can write whatever they want on my blog, whatever they are thinking or feeling, but just remember that on the other side of the screen, the person who is receiving your comment, is a human being too that has emotions 😄.