Blog 5: Internet Identity

One distinct feature of communicating on the internet is having the ability to conceal or shape one's identity. While this anonymity is often abused, serving as a barrier from personal accountability for those who spread ignorance and hatred, it can have many positive uses. By removing the disclosure of personal information, people can be judged solely on the validity of what they have to say, transcendent of connotations such as race, gender, religion, age, sexual proclivity, etc. Seemingly, this could be particularly useful in providing marginalized members of society a chance to voice their opinions without being victim of prejudice.  Personally, I have difficulty understanding the notion of minorities becoming empowered through anonymity. During a discussion of any kind, whether “anonymous” or not, information provided by each contributor will allow others to form opinions about them. In order to express issues related to societal perceptions of your identity, you cannot separate yourself from said identity.

While the internet does allow us to interact without reference to external features of identity, I believe that people will inevitably project their own assumptions on others until provided with information that would suggest otherwise.  As human beings, nay, living organisms, we simply cannot help but constantly survey and judge our surroundings. In an online context, reading someone’s words will invariably lead to the formation of sort of mental image of the author. Aspects of the authors identity that that may not be revealed explicitly such as the gender or race will likely be “guessed”  to some degree as to what is most likely based on what is being said, and where it is being said.  When I am on my “home community” of Reddit atheism, I generally recognize the people I converse with as being white males. Conversely, in research of my previous blog on the Dooce, I identified its community members as almost exclusively female. These assumptions are quite natural and usually go unmentioned, but one should consider the possibility of exception before acting accordingly. Ultimately, I think assumptions with regards to internet identity are common and vary considerably based on the context, and are necessarily harmful. Furthermore, in order for minorities to become empowered online, they must first acknowledge their identity, for enlightenment can only occur when perceptions are changed, not simply prevented.

 

 

A Clearer Look at..."Sudden Clarity Clarence"

"Sudden Clarity Clarence" depicts a young man appearing to be struck by an abrupt and unlikely epiphany, gazing into the unknown, all the while trapped in a sea of mindless party-goers. The picture itself is quite amazing, with its subject being exposed so vividly, glowing with a illumination exceeded only by the amazing realisation so brilliantly expressed on his face. This, coupled with the text that appears over top, can combine to form a truly effective meme.





Photo source as it appeared in 2009

On November 21st, 2009, the original stock photo was submitted to the Australia Associated Press as coverage of the Schoolies Festival in Queensland, Australia’s Gold Coast. Two years later, a reddit user by the name of NorthernSkeptic posted "Introducing Sudden Clarity Clarence”, with the caption “Oh my God / dubstep sucks" captioned over the image macro; and so the meme was born. After its initial success on reddit, reaching the front page of the /r/AdviceAnimals subreddit, the meme went on to spread like wildfire among Tumblr, FunnyJunk, QuickMeme and alike, under the tag “#sudden clarity clarence^."


NorthernSkeptic's post: November 23rd, 2011

 

 

Quite apparently, it is often the sheer triviality of Clarence's realisations that gives the meme its humorous appeal, i.e "Tomatoes are fruits/ That makes ketchup a smoothie." However, like a Shakespearean Fool, as Clarence delivers seemingly benign commentary, at times his statements contain subtle yet profound truths about life that may inspire prolonged cogitation in the viewer. Or at least that was this bloggers experience. 


The meme has been at times criticised for a perceived resemblance to "Consiracy Keanu", however to the keen observer the distinction is clear. "Clarence" experiences moments of unexpected enlightenment about things that deep into his subconscious he may have already known but failed to "connect the dots" as it were. Conversely, "Keanu" proposes elaborate and often absurd conspiracy theories, and does not become enlightened at all.

Conspiracy Keanu

 Presently, the ultimate challenge that "Clarence" faces is one shared by all memes, that is to stay true to the original sentiment of the meme. A task of great difficulty, considering each potential  instance can be attributed to a possibly infinite number of different authors. And so, it is the duty of the meme enthusiast to only promote those instances deemed worthy of its namesake, and to disregard those who use it for ill purpose. "Clarence", we hardly knew ye.



Waxing Nostalgic about WOMEN

It has now been two years since the break up of my favourite band, Calgary's own Women.

My introduction to Women was seeing them live at Artlife Gallery (now defunct) on July 23rd 2008. My friend and I had been there earlier in the day to see an art showing, so having already been stamped we were allowed re-rentry that night despite being obviously underaged. The entire line-up of that night is even more impressive in retrospect, with Indiensoci (Raphaelle Standell-Preston of Braids) opening and Abe Vigoda ending. But as Women played, I was simply awestruck. While their music was so original and foreign almost beyond comprehension, it was also eerily familiar at times. I had a hard time recongizing their pastiche, having no frame of reference for such music blissful guitar violence at the time except maybe Sonic Youth or The Velvets. Anyways, I proceeded to buy the debut album a few days later and it remains one of my most listened to LPs, along with Public Strain.

Over the next two years I was forchunate enough to meet the members of Women and see them play a handfull of times. Both of their albums recieved wide critical acclaim and they managed to carve a  decent following for themselves, however part of me feels as though they never really got their due. While often compared to the likes of Deerhunter, Crystal Stilts or countless other contemporaries who seemingly bridged the gap between "noise" and "pop", Women had more to offer in my opinion. Having honed their skills early and often, playing countless types of music growing up, from gypsy jazz to thrash metal and beyond, they are incredibly accomplished musicians. At some point they refined their music palates, and Women was born. Their skills were not entirely envolped however, they simply knew when to use restraint when playing, which is an incredibly neglected element of music. Furthermore, the songs they wrote were so different from eachother yet the contrast didnt seem at all unnatural or contrived. This, combined with the sheer quality of composition and arrangement, made every song memorable upon first listen. In an age when bands tend to repeat themselves at nauseam, this dinstinciveness may have been the most admirable facet of Womens music.


When I first heard the news of the infamous "Lucky Bar Brawl" incident two years ago, having caught glimpes into the keen sense of humour shared by the band,  I immidiately dismissed it as some sort of Andy Kaufman-esque stunt. After the tour cancellation, and months passing it dawned on me that they may never reform. With Chris Reimers tragic and untimely passing earlier this year, it began time to recognize the great legacy they have left and to cherish the memories I have of them.