Blog Post: 2 - Madison Clark

Throughout our last few lectures, we have emphasized power, specifically power as affordances. Power as affordances can be defined as the way that technological artifacts can either open up or constrain actions and social practices. It can manipulate a situation and determine how individuals decide to act. Power as affordances can be demonstrated through the BeReal app, another topic discussed in our lectures. BeReal prompts us with a notification when it is time to share a moment of our day with our friends. However, oftentimes these notifications are sent when we aren't accomplishing anything interesting (ie. watching TV, sitting in bed, etc.). Due to the time restricting and controlling aspects of BeReal, many individuals will often wait until they are doing something more interesting or visually appealing. 

This is a prime example of power as affordances because it portrays how we allow notifications sent from an app to control our day and decide what we will accomplish. This can both motivate and control users. Furthermore, in a recent article published by Sophia June in Nylon Culture, she explains that BeReal can also be controlling in the sense that we are afraid to "look bad". This is another component to power as affordances as we will also restrict ourselves from posting unless we feel confident. Although the basis of BeReal is to post your authentic self, regardless of what you are doing or what you look like, many individuals feel as though they are only compelled to do so when we are feeling our most confident. 

https://www.nylon.com/life/be-real-app-authentic-social-media-review 

Comments

  1. Colby HarrisonOctober 3, 2022 at 5:05 PM

    BeReal is irony at its finest. An app that tells(commands) you to take a photo at that time and place in order to "be real". It promotes the artificial nature of social media and forces that down our throats. You make a great comparison to power as affordances through BeReal because the surge in popularity of the app coincides with its ridiculous fake emphasis on realism in the virtual world. Very good post, thanks for sharing.

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