Structure and Agency in Digital Culture

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Questions and Answers

What best defines social structures in the context of sociology?

Temporary situations that influence behavior.

Personal preferences that change frequently.

Individual actions that are unconstrained by external factors.

Durable systems that shape patterns of social life. (correct)

Which of the following represents 'agency' in sociological terms?

Predetermined outcomes of social interactions.

The influence of culture on personal choices.

Intentional actions made without external constraints. (correct)

The ability to follow societal norms blindly.

How does social media influence individuals according to sociological perspectives?

It encapsulates socialization by forming collective norms and expectations. (correct)

It eliminates the need for traditional social institutions.

It solely shapes individual preferences with no external influence.

It has no significant impact on social values.

What is a primary way that socialization occurs?

Through interactions with institutions like family and media. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the interaction between structure and agency is accurate?

Interplay exists where both structure and agency affect choices. Signup and view all the answers

What impact does media have on social norms?

Media delivers messages that shape collective norms and expectations. Signup and view all the answers

What example best illustrates the concept of mediated reality?

The widespread belief in filtered content on social media platforms. Signup and view all the answers

Why are pop songs often about three minutes long in a social context?

Market considerations influenced by media consumption patterns. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant factor contributing to the biases in AI systems?

Human biases are embedded into AI through design and implementation. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to adopt an interdisciplinary approach when addressing AI challenges?

To develop ethical frameworks that consider multiple perspectives and fields. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes advertising on social media from traditional media?

Social media allows for precise audience targeting based on user data. Signup and view all the answers

What is datafication?

The process of converting everyday activities into quantifiable data. Signup and view all the answers

What was the advertising revenue of Instagram in 2022?

107 billion CAD Signup and view all the answers

What is the average value of a single user to Instagram per year?

$84.12/year Signup and view all the answers

What does technological determinism emphasize about the role of technology in society?

Technology causes social change independently. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of data are collected by Facebook?

Demographics, behaviors, interests, life events, and political views Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of social media data does 'datafication' transform into commodities?

Digital activities when converted to data Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes social constructivism's view on technology?

Social forces dictate the functionality of technology. Signup and view all the answers

Which perspective argues that algorithms reflect human biases and societal inequalities?

Social constructivism Signup and view all the answers

According to Marshall McLuhan, what is the more significant factor affecting social impact?

The format of the media used. Signup and view all the answers

What is Neil Postman's view regarding the influence of television on public life?

Television diminishes the seriousness of public communication. Signup and view all the answers

What concept describes the challenge of acquiring digital skills necessary for survival in a digitalized world?

Digital divide Signup and view all the answers

In the 72-hour network survival challenge, what resources were provided to the volunteers?

A bed, dial-up network, cash, and electronic currency. Signup and view all the answers

What does algorithmic bias refer to in the context of technology?

Inherent prejudices reflected in algorithmic design. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary arguments made by Buolamwini and other activists regarding AI development?

Greater regulation and transparency are needed. Signup and view all the answers

What specific linguistic feature is often used in the language of fake news?

Exaggerated and hyperbolic language. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following concerns is associated with using algorithms to predict domestic violence incidents?

The potential for these algorithms to reinforce existing biases. Signup and view all the answers

What is needed to combat fake news effectively, according to the discussion on algorithms?

Human judgment is still essential in the process. Signup and view all the answers

How can AI technologies inadvertently reinforce social inequalities?

By reflecting biases in the data they are trained on. Signup and view all the answers

What issue might arise from the power dynamics involved in AI development?

Exclusion of marginalized groups from decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential use of algorithms discussed in relation to addressing domestic violence?

Predicting potential risks linked to violence. Signup and view all the answers

What overarching theme does Coded Bias highlight about unchecked AI systems?

They pose risks to civil rights and social justice. Signup and view all the answers

What does the digital divide primarily describe?

The disparities in internet access and usage among social groups. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of Canadians reported not having internet access at home by 2020?

6% Signup and view all the answers

Which factor was reported as a reason for lack of internet access among those without it?

Cost Signup and view all the answers

What is one proposed solution to increase access in the digital divide?

Increasing infrastructure capacity for internet connectivity. Signup and view all the answers

How does algorithmic bias manifest in predictive policing algorithms?

By disproportionately targeting minority communities. Signup and view all the answers

What issue does the documentary Coded Bias reveal about facial recognition algorithms?

They have lower accuracy for people of color, especially women. Signup and view all the answers

What does the film Coded Bias suggest about the datasets used to train AI systems?

They are often biased towards lighter-skinned, male faces. Signup and view all the answers

What do activists in Coded Bias advocate for regarding AI technologies?

Ethical standards and regulations to address bias. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Structure & Agency

Social Structures are enduring systems, groups, or organizations that shape social interactions. They often act as external forces that constrain or enable choices.
- Examples: traditional family structures.
Agency refers to the capacity for individuals to make choices and act intentionally, often independent of social structures.
- Examples: choosing to have a non-traditional family.
In the digital age, the interplay between structure and agency is amplified.
- Examples:
  - Why are pop songs 3 minutes long?
  - Should digital platforms remove certain content?
  - How has social media changed the news industry?
  - Does generative AI have its own values?
  - Why do people believe conspiracy theories?

Digital Culture & Society:

Sociological Perspective: Humans are social beings whose behaviors are shaped by social forces.
- Our social backgrounds influence our attitudes, behaviors, and life chances.
- Socialization is the process of acquiring social values and norms within a society and culture.
  - This happens through family, school, peers, work, and media.
Media plays a significant role in shaping socialization.
- It delivers messages about norms and expectations.
- It can influence our perception of reality, a concept known as "mediated reality."

Technological Determinism: The idea that technology itself drives social change.
- The focus is on "what technologies do to people."
- It sees technologies as external forces imposed upon society.
- This approach is criticized for negating human agency and ignoring cultural influences.
Social Constructivism: Views social reality as something constructed by people.
- The focus shifts to "What do people do with technologies?"
- Technology is seen as a tool, and its use and influence are shaped by societal factors.

The documentary "Coded Bias" illustrates the debate between technological determinism and social constructivism in the context of algorithmic bias.
It rejects technological determinism's view that biases are inevitable outcomes of technological advancement.
Instead, it aligns with social constructivism, arguing that algorithms reflect the biases of their creators, which are often rooted in societal inequalities.
- For example, facial recognition technology is less accurate for people of color, especially women, because the algorithms are trained on predominantly white, male data sets.
The film emphasizes that AI systems are not inherently neutral; they often perpetuate current inequalities.

Marshall McLuhan and Neil Postman

Marshall McLuhan:
- "The Medium is the Message": He argued that the medium of communication is as influential as the message itself.
- It's the format, not the content, that often matters.
- He took a deterministic view of media, suggesting that the medium shapes the message's content.
- His perspective was generally optimistic about technology.
Neil Postman:
- Had a pessimistic view on media, arguing that TV contributed to the decline in the seriousness of public life.
- This was due to TV encouraging specific ways of thinking and speaking, ultimately undermining democracy.
- "Hyperreality": He was concerned about the blurring of reality and representations, where simulations become indistinguishable from real life.

Digital Divide

Digital Divide refers to disparities between social groups in access to and use of digital tools.
- This can create a "haves vs. have-nots" and "skilled vs. unskilled" divide.
Digital Survival Challenge: Highlighted the importance of digital skills in navigating a technologically driven world.
- A 1999 experiment in China demonstrated how individuals without digital skills could struggle to meet even basic needs in a digitally-dependent society.
Access Divide: Includes issues like infrastructure capacity and cost.
- Only 6% of Canadians lacked home internet access in 2020, but 39% cited cost as a barrier.
Skill Divide: Addresses disparities in digital literacy and proficiency.
- Initiatives like free digital skills training in local libraries aim to bridge this gap.
The digital divide can amplify existing inequalities.

Coded Bias: Further Exploration

Algorithmic Bias: The documentary highlights how algorithmic biases, even if unintended, can perpetuate and worsen societal inequalities.
- Predictive policing algorithms can disproportionately target minority communities.
- Hiring algorithms may discriminate based on patterns in historical data.
Facial Recognition and Bias: The film's focus on Buolamwini's research shows how facial recognition algorithms struggle to accurately identify people of color, especially women.
- This is due to the biased datasets used to train the algorithms, predominantly featuring lighter-skinned, male faces.
Global Impact: The documentary discusses the use of AI-powered surveillance technologies worldwide, often with limited regulation.
- China uses facial recognition for mass surveillance, while the US increasingly uses it in law enforcement.
Calls for Regulation: The documentary emphasizes the need for more regulation and transparency in AI development.
- Activists advocate for ethical standards and regulations to ensure fairness and inclusivity in AI development.
Coded Bias ultimately raises concerns about the potential dangers of unchecked AI systems, especially in areas affecting civil rights and social justice. It calls for increased scrutiny and ethical standards to prevent technology from exacerbating societal inequalities.

Fake News Detection (Dr. Fatemeh Torabi Asr’s research): Algorithms can help identify fake news by analyzing language.
- Fake news often uses exaggerated language and lacks specifics.
- Algorithms can be trained to detect these patterns and flag suspicious content.
- However, human judgment still plays a vital role in combating fake news.
Predicting Domestic Violence: Algorithms are increasingly used by law enforcement to predict domestic violence incidents.
- While these tools show potential, there are concerns about effectiveness, ethical implications, and potential bias.
- The use of machine learning in this context raises concerns about reinforcing existing prejudices, highlighting the need for fairness and transparency.
Five Big Ideas About AI:
- Reinforcing Inequality
- Power Dynamics
- Non-neutrality of AI
- Sociological Approach
- Interdisciplinary Research

Social Media Logic and Surveillance Capitalism:
- Social media platforms collect vast amounts of user data to generate advertising revenue.
- Examples:
- Instagram's advertising revenue in 2022 was $107 billion CAD.
- There are over 1.28 billion Instagram users.
- Each user is worth approximately $84.12/year in revenue.
Data Collected by Facebook
- Demographics
- Behaviors
- Interests
- Life events
- Political views
Datafication: The process of turning aspects of life, interactions, and physical phenomena into quantifiable data for analysis and use by digital technologies.
- Social media facilitates this process by converting digital activities into data, which becomes a commodity traded by tech companies.

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Description

Explore the concepts of social structures and agency within the context of digital culture and society. This quiz delves into how traditional and non-traditional choices are influenced by social forces and the evolving digital landscape. Test your understanding of the interplay between individual agency and societal structures in today’s world.