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Social Semiotics

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  In his book A Social Semiotic Approach to Contemporary Communication , the semiotician Gunther R. Kress describes the theory of social semiotics as what „ deals with meaning in all its appearances, in all social occasions and in all cultural sites.“ (p. 2). It explores the complex connection between signs, symbols, and their social meanings. This field of study, which was founded by academics like Ferdinand de Saussure andCharles Sanders Peirce [1] , looks at how numerous signs and symbols within a culture convey ideas, ideologies, and social values. It is essential to comprehending how meaning is created, distributed, and interpreted within a culture.   The interpretation of signs and symbols is governed by a set of rules in social semiotics. The importance of placement is one of these guidelines. For instance, images near the top of a page frequently suggest importance or authority and draw the user in right away. Images positioned at the bottom, o...
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Online Arguments- The right & wrong way to do them

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I chose an online discussion that started from a post in a closed facebook group. I recently spent some time on an island in Thailand called Koh Phangan , and while this group is called „ Koh PhanganConscious Community “ and the island is pretty small, the comments and reactions to posts are often very direspectful and gaslighting. Its astonishing to me how people are acting childish and mocking others while having their real profiles on there, and might very well meet the other people in this group offline, face-to-face. Because it is a closed group and not available to those not in the group, I am providing screenshots of the discussion.   The author of the post is inviting people from the group to join another group for singles to „mingle and meet“.     3 negative examples and concerns about this discussion:   1.      People make fun with their reactions, off the bet mocking those that might very well be interested in meeting ot...
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An Powerful Tool for Online Communication: The Toulmin Method

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The Toulmin Method is an organized way of argumentation that can significantly improve our capacity for persuasion, claims Julia Green in her book "Communicating Online" (p. 283).     Claim, grounds, warrant, backing, qualifier, and rebuttal are its six main parts. Each element has a distinct function in the creation of a logical and convincing argument.   1. Claim:  The claim is the speaker's or writer's major assertion or idea. The argument is intended to establish this viewpoint as its main focus.   2. Grounds:  The grounds, sometimes referred to as evidence or data, offer justification for the claim. They may contain data, figures, comments from specialists, examples, and anecdotes. 3. Warrant:  The warrant serves as a link between the grounds and the claim. The connection between the evidence and the claim, and the justification for why the evidence supports the claim, is made logically. 4. Backing:  The warrant is being reinforced ...
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Buffer's "The Science of Social Media"

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  The social media management tool Buffer hosts " The Science of Social Media ", which focuses on offering knowledge and advice on social media marketing, digital communication tactics, and trends. The hosts conduct expert interviews and disseminate knowledge backed by research.   I chose this podcast, as it not only discusses important online communication hacts for businesses but also speaks about the importance of providing an anti-racist and inclusive environment online. According to Patrick Freyne and his 2015 article „Why do we argue online“ in the Irish Times, many more people are willing to go online to promote their beliefs, speak out about injustice, and fight for their rights. During the 2020 civil rights movement, the value of broadcasting ones stand, especially in business, has sky-rocketed. Many organizations promised online to promote a space for underprivileged people by adjusting their operations and increasing awareness of the reality ...
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Social Media's Influence on Historical Protests

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Social media has become a potent instrument for organizing and capturing large-scale protests and movements in the digital age. During events like the 2020 civil rights movement and protests, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Reddit have transformed how individuals organize, share information, and influence public opinion. However, with this newfound authority comes the duty to critically assess how social media affects historical records, how narratives are manipulated, and whether it might have positive or negative effects.     1. Social Media and the 2020 Civil Rights Movement:  The tragic death of George Floyd served as the turning point for the 2020 civil rights movement, which saw a new use of social media as a platform for gathering and amplifying voices. Social media gave activists the ability to mobilize rallies, spread awareness of systematic racial injustices, and reach a global audience through hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter, #SayTheirNames, a...
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Banyan Botanicals- Media Assessment

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I chose to examine Banyan Botanicals media presence and social media platforms. Banyan Botanicals is a wellness based company focusing on educating people about all topics Ayurveda and Yoga, while selling Ayurvedic supplements, oils, teas, and more. I always liked their products, they’re high quality and the website is not only educational but transparent.  The choice of colors and graphics communicate the companies values-natural, plant-based, and at peace. Once you click on the website, there’s a prompt to explore best-seller products. When scrolling down, you’ll find more information about product categories they carry, reviews, free educational resources, what makes them stand out: sustainably sources, organic, and fair traded; and blog posts. At the bottom of the page you’ll find their contact info, email signup options and a wide selection of links about more information concerning their operations.  Since I worked at a website design company, I know this way of organiz...
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The Digital Native- a Multitasking Superhuman?

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The theory that children born into the digital world- the so-called "digital natives"-live, think, and learn differently, as introduced by Marc Prensky , has definitely some truth to it. Nevertheless, does this differentiating factor of growing up really produce the ability to multi-task?  In Prenskys paper about the digital native, the young generation with its abundant use of technology in personal and professional life is projected as a superhuman who is more efficient, self-taught (if desired), and able to complete multiple tasks simultaneously. While there is some truth to this when it comes to understanding and operating technology, I must stand with Paul Kirschners evaluation that being literate in the digital world doesn’t necessarily mean more efficiency or capability. A hard truth that comes with constant exposure to screens is that people are firstly much more dependent on external sources to complete tasks and secondly people’s ability to focus on one task decre...
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