- Air-L - lists.aoir.org

making gender complicated on Friendster
by Katherine Mancuso 12 Dec '05

12 Dec '05

there has been a community to do this on LiveJournal (of which I am a member) for a long time called <lj user=gender_petition>. I'm REALLY surprised it hasn't happened yet, but my view may be skewed based on my own friends list. Gender Petition members display the gender petition blogsticker on their userinfo pages and abstain from selecting a gender. --kathy -- Katherine Mancuso, PhD student Graduate Institute of the Liberal Arts S415 Callaway Center Emory University Atlanta, GA 30322 katherine.mancuso(a)emory.edu AAA 2005 Media/Technology sessions: http://wiki.oxus.net/wiki/AAA2005 Anthropologists and labor unions allied: http://AAAUnite.blogspot.com Orphans V: Science, Industry, Education: http://www.sc.edu/filmsymposium Social software linkage: http://del.icio.us/museumfreak My weblog: http://museumfreak.livejournal.com "My life is not a quota or an action to affirm an idea of equality. My life is my life." ~Jamaica Kincaid "she's nothing more than fiction / she dreams in digital / compose your dreams / and don't be afraid to expose yourself." ~Orgy

1 0

Re: [Air-l] Making gender complicated on Friendster
by March Rosenbluth 12 Dec '05

12 Dec '05

There's been something of a movement on LiveJournal for at least a year or two to enlarge the pool of gender choices, I know. -- March Rosenbluth Communication & Rhetoric student ` RPI > Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2005 09:13:32 -0500 > From: "Lauren Squires" <squires(a)virginia.edu> > Subject: [Air-l] Making gender complicated on Friendster > To: air-l(a)listserv.aoir.org > Message-ID: <web-162412456(a)cgatepro-4.mail.virginia.edu> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"; format="flowed" > > Hi list, > > Not to keep bringing up Friendster, but I noticed something that may be of > interest to people working on gender-related themes as well as social > networking sites. > > There's currently a bulletin board post going around Friendster that is a > petition to get Friendster to add an "it's complicated" option to the gender > choices (which are just "male" or "female." "It's complicated" is a > recently-added option for relationship status). The bulletin board head > reads "Gender-make it "complicated" on friendster." I have no idea how > widespread this is - my hunch is not very, but I only have access to the > bulletins of my friends, and three of them have posted it, so I'm curious if > it's out there elsewhere. > > 1) Has anyone else seen this post or heard about it? Do we know of any > similar instances of user-driven system changes toward a >2-gender norm? > Has this happened before on Friendster or other networking sites? (I > haven't seen it on Myspace, for instance, and I pretty much have the same > friends on both sites) > > 2) Is "It's complicated" the best phrasing for an addition of more gender > possibilities? > > Interested in any and all thoughts (take a break from grading/writing > papers!), > Lauren > > ---- > Lauren Squires > Linguistics Program > University of Virginia > *** > http://polyglotconspiracy.net > http://sociocmc.blogspot.com

1 0

Re: [Air-l] Making gender complicated on Friendster
by GTa3411203＠aol.com 12 Dec '05

12 Dec '05

I have a Facebook account. Users are able to create profiles that share personal interests with others. One of these interests has to do with dating. I've run across a few profiles where men and women are indicating choices as being both male and female, which could be construed to say the person is bisexual. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable in making this assessment without having access to more information. I'm going to digress a minute and call attention to the manner in which this also plays out in research circles. I recently submitted a paper for a conference. The form was designed so that a person had to choose between qualitative, quantitative, evaluation, or research in progress. I submitting a proposal for a paper that explored an emerging trend across 200 organizations using a mixed-method approach to gathering and analyzing data. I contacted the conference organizers and challenged their designations. As a mixed method researcher, I can identify with feelings of confusion others feels about sexualilty when being placed in a position where established social norms are defining actions. :-) -- Gail Gail Taylor, M.Ed. Human Resource Education Ph.D. Student Educational Psychology Teaching Assistant University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

1 0

CfP EASST 2006 EXTENDED DEADLINE January 16th
by Christine Hine 12 Dec '05

12 Dec '05

EASST Conference 2006, University of Lausanne, EXTENDED DEADLINE: Paper and session proposals will now be accepted up to the new deadline of January 16th, 2006 Session proposals are provisionally published on the Conference website http://www2.unil.ch/easst2006/ see "what's new". Send your session proposal as soon as possible to easst2006(a)unil.ch The Call for Papers (reminder) "Reviewing humanness: bodies, technologies and spaces" What is it to be human today? How are developments in science and technology affecting the human experience? Developments in the life sciences offer new ways of understanding and intervening in bodily processes. Human influence is distributed through socio-technical networks and artifacts. Transnational connections and imaginings extend our conception of humanness. What concepts do we need to understand these processes and to address their practical and political consequences? "Reviewing Humanness" forms the theme for biennial conference of the European Association for the Study of Science and Technology, to be held in Lausanne, Switzerland from 23rd to 26th August 2006. Paper and session proposals addressing any aspect of the theme are welcomed. All members of the science, technology and innovation studies community are invited to attend and there will be open paper sessions for topics outside of the theme. See the full Call for Papers and all information on the conference web site http://www2.unil.ch/easst2006/ Christine Hine Department of Sociology University of Surrey Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK c.hine(a)surrey.ac.uk http://www.soc.surrey.ac.uk/christine_hine.htm

3 2

CfP - Workshop CHI2006 - new user experience challenges in iTV: m obility & sociability
by A.C.Roibas＠bton.ac.uk 12 Dec '05

12 Dec '05

(apologies for cross-posting) -------------------------------------------------------- Workshop CHI2006 - Call For Papers Investigating new user experience challenges in iTV: mobility & sociability -------------------------------------------------------- http://soc.kuleuven.be/com/mediac/chi2006workshop/ Position papers are invited on the design of future interactive television (iTV) scenarios characterized by pervasive communications in contexts of entertainment, work and government, with special attention to the social character of these applications and the implications for interface design. The workshop will include thematically organized moderated group discussions. Submissions are invited on the following topics: * unfolding experimental research methodologies to understand user- experience in future pervasive communication scenarios; * sharing a roadmap of feasible scenarios and representative applications for ubi-iTV; * exploring the potential of novel interfaces within pervasive communication scenarios for entertainment, work and government; * accounts of the particular challenges of studying and designing for sociability in social electronic media * understanding and supporting sociability in social electronic media * evaluating sociability This one-day workshop wants to address these issues by bringing together practitioners and researchers from different domains, but with the same concern for social interfaces on pervasive interactive television. We will select participants with diverse backgrounds based upon the relevance, insightfulness, and originality of their submissions. Submissions are expected in the form of 2-4 pages position papers, describing the area of research, specific work (empirical or theoretical) on the workshop topic and the innovative character of the research at hand. Submissions (in Conference Proceedings Publication Format) can be uploaded on the website: http://soc.kuleuven.be/com/mediac/chi2006workshop/ Timescale: * Deadline for submissions: 23 December 2005 * Feedback to authors: 15 January 2006 * Workshop at CHI2006: 22 April 2006 Organizers: Dr. Anxo Cereijo Roibás (University of Brighton, UK) David Geerts (University of Leuven, Belgium) Prof. Elizabeth Furtado (University of Fortaleza, Brazil) Dr. Licia Calvi (University of Leuven, Belgium) Disclaimer: http://www.kuleuven.be/cwis/email_disclaimer.htm

1 0

[Fwd: [GKD] Internet Governance: A Primer]
by Michel J. Menou 09 Dec '05

09 Dec '05

Apologies for multiple posting This primer can be of interest to many, as are the other publications of APDIP - a program worth of praise for its pro-active role in effective knowledge dissemination. Michel -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [GKD] Internet Governance: A Primer Date: Fri, 2 Dec 2005 21:47:19 +0700 From: Christine Apikul <christine(a)apdip.net> Reply-To: gkd(a)milhouse.edc.org To: gkd(a)milhouse.edc.org ================================================================== Internet Governance: A Primer Author: Akash Kapur UNDP-APDIP, Elsevier, 2005, 47 pages ISBN-10: 81-312-0076-6 ISBN-13: 978-81-312-0076-6 http://www.apdip.net/news/igovprimer ================================================================== This primer offers an overview of Internet governance, discussing its history, the issues at stake and the various actors involved. It shows how governance decisions can have social and economic ramifications, and it suggests steps that can be taken to enhance developing country participation in Internet governance. This Primer together with an Internet Governance DVD produced by DiploFoundation and UNDP-APDIP was distributed at the World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis. Find out more about the Primer at <http://www.apdip.net/news/igovprimer> Find out more about the DVD at <http://www.apdip.net/news/igovdvd> *** Inside the Primer *** BACKGROUND AND KEY CONCEPTS What is "governance"? What is "Internet governance"? What are the "layers" and how are they relevant to Internet governance? What is ICT and what is its relevance to the Internet? Why is the Internet difficult to govern? What is the history of governance on the Internet? Should there be governance on the Internet? ISSUES AND ACTORS What are some of the issues involved in Internet governance? What are some of the governance issues at the infrastructure layer? What are some of the governance issues at the logical layer? What are some of the issues at the content layer? INTERNET GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT What is the digital divide and why does it matter? What is the relationship between Internet governance and the digital divide? What is the current status of developing country participation in Internet governance? How can barriers to developing country participation be overcome? MODELS AND CONCEPTS What is self-governance and what are its limitations? What is multi-sectoral governance? What are some of the challenges to effective multi-sectoral governance? What is the role of average Internet users in Internet governance? How democratic should Internet governance be? What is the role of "trust" in Internet governance? What is the relationship between globalization and Internet governance? What is convergence and why does it matter? How can Internet governance adapt to technological change? CONCLUSION: BEST PRACTICES AND LOOKING FORWARD ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, a Non-Profit Organization*** To post a message, send it to: <gkd(a)mail.edc.org> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <majordomo(a)mail.edc.org>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wanadoo vous informe que cet e-mail a ete controle par l'anti-virus mail. Aucun virus connu a ce jour par nos services n'a ete detecte. -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.11/191 - Release Date: 02/12/2005 -- ================================================================= Dr. Michel J. Menou Consultant in ICT policies and Knowledge & Information Management Adviser of Somos@Telecentros board http://www.tele-centros.org Member of the founding steering committee of Telecenters of the Americas Partnership http://www.tele-centers.net/ B.P. 15 49350 Les Rosiers sur Loire, France Email: Michel.Menou(a)wanadoo.fr Phone: +33 (0)2 41511043 http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ciber/peoplemenou.php ================================================================== -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 267.13.13/195 - Release Date: 08/12/2005

1 0

Re: [Air-l] CFP Media Ecology Association - deadline Jan. 15
by Steffasong＠aol.com 09 Dec '05

09 Dec '05

Hello AIR-I Friends and Colleagues, Below please find the final call for papers for the Seventh Annual Convention of the Media Ecology Association. The conference will take place on June 8th - 11th at Boston College. Please spread the word and share this CFP with your various departments and schools. The deadline for submissions is January 15th. Cheers! Stephanie Bennett ========= Final Call for Papers The Seventh Annual Convention of the Media Ecology Association Prologues to Exploration June 8, 2006 Boston College Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts Featured Speakers: Howard Rheingold, Elizabeth L. Eisenstein, Terence P. Moran, Robert K. Logan, and more to come! Keynote Address: Denise Schmandt-Besserat Revised Submission Deadline: January 15, 2006 We invite submission of papers, proposals, panels of papers, roundtables, discussion panels, workshops, films, multimedia presentations, and performances relating to all aspects of media ecology, encompassing primary orality, the development of literacy, the change from script to print, the electronics revolution, and the impacts of continuing technological change. How have evolving technologies transformed both the cognitive and physical environments in which we live, work, learn, play, and relate? What are the prospects for the future? Completed papers are eligible for the Top Paper Award or the Linda Elson Scholar Award for the Top Student Paper. Please indicate your wish to compete for either award on a separable title page with full contact information, and no identifying information in the text pages. Competing papers should be formatted in accordance with the 5th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. Please send inquiries and electronic copies of papers and proposals to james_morrison(a)emerson.edu. For more information visit our Web site at http://www.media-ecology.org. Co-coordinators: Donald A. Fishman Department of Communication Boston College 140 Commonwealth Avenue Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 617-552-4285 donald.fishman.1(a)bc.edu James C. Morrison Department of Organizational and Political Communication Emerson College 120 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02116-4624 617-824-8723 james_morrison(a)emerson.edu Stephanie Bennett Definition: Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math.

1 0

Job Posting -- Communication Theory and Media Studies
by shawn miklaucic 08 Dec '05

08 Dec '05

Apologies for cross posting. Job Posting -- Communication Theory and Media Studies The Communication Studies Department at Pace University invites applications for a tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level in Communication Theory beginning September 2006. The successful candidate should be a generalist with research interests in one or more of the following areas: communication theory, communication and public policy, critical media studies, political economy of the media, or digital media. Experience and facility with digital editing is a major plus but not required. The successful applicant will be required to teach introductory courses and to develop upper-level courses in his/her area of specialization. Ph.D. in communication or closely related field required. Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, a CV, a sample of scholarly work/research, evidence of teaching effectiveness, and three letters of recommendation to the Communication Studies Department, Pace University, 1 Pace Plaza, NY, NY 10038. Review of applications will begin January 15, 2006 and continue until the position is filled. Pace University is an Equal Employment and Affirmative Action Employer, M/f/H/V, committed to ensuring a diverse learning and working environment. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Feel free to contact me with questions. Shawn Miklaucic

1 0

Birthday Calendar
by Akhil Kumar Srivastava 08 Dec '05

08 Dec '05

Hi Please click (or copy and paste) the link below and enter your birthday into my calendar. It's quick, easy and you'll be helping me out:-). http://www.birthdayalarm.com/bd1/4037929a6610155b862566941c596827557d904 Akhil Kumar

1 0

cfp: Internationalising Internet studies collection
by Gerard Goggin 07 Dec '05

07 Dec '05

'Internationalizing Internet Studies' Call for papers for a edited collection by Gerard Goggin (University of Sydney) & Mark McLelland (University of Wollongong) From the mid-1990s onwards, the Internet has shifted fundamentally from its co-ordinates in English-speaking countries, especially North America, to become an essential medium in a wide range of countries, cultures, and languages. . However, communications and media scholarship, especially in the Anglophone world, has not registered the deep ramifications of this shift - and the challenges it poses to the concepts, methods, assumptions, and frameworks used to study the Internet. The vast body of Anglophone scholarship into 'the Internet' is predicated on research on and about English-language websites by academics and other researchers working and publishing in English. Despite the fact that there is also a large body of work being produced by scholars in non-English-speaking cultures and locales, hardly any of this work is being translated and it has had little impact on theorization of the developing fields of Internet and web studies. The purpose of this anthology, 'Internationalizing Internet Studies', is to acknowledge that Internet use and Internet studies take place 'elsewhere' in various national and international contexts. We seek to uncover how non-Anglophone uses of the Internet might challenge certain preconceived notions about the technology and its social impacts as well as the manner in which Internet studies is taken up, valued and taught. Through bringing together researchers whose daily experience of the Internet is mediated through non-Anglophone languages and cultures as well as researchers situated within the Anglophone academy whose work focuses on cultures outside North America and Europe, we hope to promote the visibility of work already being done outside the Anglophone world. Accordingly, we wish to gather together a distinctive collection of contributors who can illuminate the key features of the Internet's internationalization, surveying exemplary Internet language groups and cultures. We are also interested in contributions that reflect upon this cosmopolitan turn in the Internet, and what it signifies for Internet studies. Contributions would be welcomed, but are not restricted to, the following topics: * non-anglophone language communities use of the Internet * Asian countries and communities use of the Internet (especially Chinese, Japanese, and Korean) * mobility and the Internet: how the Internet is deployed by people on the move across borders * use of the Internet by diasporic communities * Internet use by minority language speakers in majority Anglophone and other language contexts * Indigenous use of the Internet * how particular Internet, mobile and wireless technologies have been shaped and are used by different language and cultural groups * how does this change our understanding of Internet cultures and cultural histories? * what the implications of internationalizing of the Internet for debates concerning cultural citizenship and media diversity? * how is Internet studies responding to the internationalizing of the Internet? Timeframe: Please send abstracts of no more than 500 words to both editors outlining your proposed contribution to the edited collection by 31 January 2006. We will advise acceptance by 1 April 2006. We will be holding a workshop on 'Internationalizing Internet Studies' in Brisbane on 27 September 2006 immediately before the Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR) Annual Conference 7.0, and hope that we will be able to invite some contributors to participate. About the Editors: From January 2006, Dr Gerard Goggin (g.goggin(a)uq.edu.au) will be an ARC Australian Research Fellow in the Department of Media and Communication, the University of Sydney. Recent books include Digital Disability (2003), Virtual Nation: The Internet in Australia (2004) and Cell Phone Culture (2006). Dr Mark McLelland (m.mclelland(a)uq.edu.au) is a Lecturer in the School of Social Sciences, Media and Communication at the University of Wollongong. Recent Internet-related publications include Japanese Cybercultures (2003) and Queer Japan from the Pacific War to the Internet Age (2005).

1 0