Size & Structure - Commercial Sex Industry

Very useful report has just come out.

Ideal for anyone interested in the size of the commercial sex industry (in some key US Cities).

Danah Boyd: It's Complicated (Teens & Technology)

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Danah Boyd is someone I've mentioned in lectures. She is a sociologist who uses anthropological approaches to research. Here she is talking about her research into how young people interact with new technology. There are useful links to some of her publications one her website.

Make Love Not Porn: Cindy Gallop at TEDxOxford

Founder of Make Love Not Porn Cindy Gallop.

Cindy is good presenter and discusses some interesting ideas.

Not exactly lacking in self confidence but don't let detract from some good points.

Note she does use some terms and covers subjects that some may find embarrassing.

Why I stopped watching porn

Why I stopped watching porn: Ran Gavrieli at TEDxJaffa 2013

Another TEDx video focusing on the violent nature of much internet pornography.

He offers an interesting view on the artificiality of many pornographic scenes.

The comments posted in response to this video (hosted on YouTube) are worth a read.

The Great Porn Experiment: Gary Wilson at TEDxGlasgow

Useful video trying to examine the impact of pornography from a social science (often psychological) perspective. Touches upon some of the problems that heavy use of internet porn may be causing (primarily among young men). Makes some useful points; such as internet porn not being the same as sex. Helps possibly explain too why some people (males and females) become addicted to internet porn (linked to Dopamine levels  in brain). Porn addicts are very similar to gambling, gaming and internet addicts.

See useful Guardian article on female pornography addicts. Why flag up female addicts? Because they tend to be overlooked in the sociological literature and crucially it reminds us of the heterogeneity of women.

The video also makes some useful observations about men trying to give up their internet porn addiction. Finally it helps to explain how internet porn is qualitatively different to earlier forms of pornography (for young men).

The Sexy Lie - Sexual Objectification

The Sexy Lie: Caroline Heldman at TEDxYouth@SanDiego

Good video for introducing the concept of sexual objectification and why technology and computer mediated communication (CMC) might have contributed to a growth in it.

Disclosure - I'm not sure I agree with all of her analysis but this is a watchable and informative video.

Public Lecture on Hacktivism - Jonathan Zittrain

Hacktivism: Anonymous, lulzsec, and Cybercrime in 2012 and Beyond
Useful Q & A if you want to learn more about the topic of hacking from a socio-legal perspective.

Richard Stallman - Hacktivism and Anonymous

Short but informative video featuring Richard Stallman.

Anonymous Revenge Against Amanda Todd Perpetrator

Another example of Anonymous and the use of (extreme?) hacktivism?

Hackers Threaten Revenge on Teen Rapists

Interesting insight too into small town mentality?

Apple 1984 Advert

The now famous 1984 television advertisement for Apple, directed by Ridley Scott of Alien fame.

1984 Trailer

It is worth watching the trailers for 1984 and V for Vendetta and noting that there are some clear parallels between them (intentional).

V for Vendetta Trailer

Mixed reviews and not the most financially successful film upon release but it has since obtained iconic status thanks to the mask.

Computer Hacking & Hacktivism

Short but useful (informative) video interview with Tim Jordan an academic from the Open University (OU).

The Secret History of Hacking

This is a classic documentary that gives insights into the history of hacking and the motivations of hackers.

From Heroes to Zeroes in the world they created?

Highly recommended. See additional programme notes on the VLE.

How Hackers Changed The World

Recent (2013) documentary focussing on Anonymous.

Best watched in conjunction with the historical videos.

Wikileaks - The Secret Life of a Superpower

Useful insight into the WikiLeaks exposure of the US intelligence operations.

Does anyone still trust Uncle Sam?

The Fifth Estate Trailer

Mixed reviews as a film but offers a useful way into a potentially complex topic.

Welcome!

Welcome to a blog dedicated to issues of Sociology & Technology. This blog site will help support SOGY30201 Technology & Society. This is a module taken by Sociology students at Nottingham Trent University (NTU). Most of the materials are on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) of NTU. However some complementary materials, especially video clips, will appear here. If they prove useful to anyone else - then great! Regards from, Phil Philip Wane University Teaching Fellow School of Social Sciences Nottingham Trent University