secrets of me in.ter.net
撮影：塩見浩介
About
Based on a project called "Am I nothing but net?" this workshop was designed to learn about invisible communication between oneself and others on the Internet (for age 10+).
Participants first shared their impressions on the Internet and then joined an activity to think about social media. Here, participants took a picture under a common theme, posted it anonymously on a fictional social media account, and then discussed what kind of person might have posted that photo. Afterward, they discussed the difference between posting and reading, their findings by experiencing both sides, and the conversations that occurred.
Through these discussions, participants deepened their understanding of communication characteristics on the Internet. They considered whether it is possible to ensure both convenience and safety and how we can respect the judgment of those around us.
Event Info
TOPICS
Internet Karuta (Japanese card game)
Participants were divided into "readers" and "respondents," and each took turns playing the role of "reader" and "respondent," respectively.
First, each participant wrote their impression of the Internet briefly. The impressions they've written were used as the "reading card" in the karuta cards. Next, the facilitator presented several images, from which the participant selected one image that closely resembled the "reading card". This became the "picture card" of the karuta card. At this point, no one knew how the "reading card" and the "picture card" were connected.
After everyone had chosen a picture card, the karuta game began. The facilitator appointed one of the participants to be a karuta reader. The reader presented the "reading cards," an impression of the Internet. The other participants guessed which "picture cards" connected to the "reading card". Finally, the reader announced the correct picture card. The game proceeded in turns until all participants experienced the reader's role.
Through this game, each participant's attitude toward the Internet became apparent. The unexpectedness of how the "reading cards" and the "picture cards" were connected allowed participants to push their imagination in a new way.
Social Media Hide and Seek
Participants played the role of "sender" and "receiver" of information using fictitious photo-sharing social media.
The sender selected two photos to post on social media and presented them anonymously to the other participants. In a chat room, receivers freely post their guess of the persona of the sender based on the impression from the two photos. In the end, the workshop facilitator revealed who the sender was. The sender shared reflections on the comments written about his/her/their persona. The game continued until all experienced the caller's role.
The game structure was very similar to the "Internet Karuta" played earlier, where participants were divided into two positions and communicated with each other through images. However, "Social Media Hide and Seek" highlights the fact that "sender" and "receiver" are seamless in communication on the Internet and social media and that anyone can be in either position unknowingly.
The sender first posts the photo and creates the opportunity for communication. However, when the receiver comments on the photo, they are in the sender's position. As the participants discuss with each other, they eventually assume more about the person than what can be read from the two photos. The sender feels the danger of personal information being revealed from unexpected sources and the surprise and anxiety of having information walk alone without any means to correct the misunderstandings. Participants experience the possibility of becoming a "sender" without being aware of it.
Unaware Senders
In the Social Media Hide and Seek, participants experienced how Internet communication embeds one to be both "sender" and "receiver". However, in the real Internet, there are more cases where we have become "senders" unknowingly.
Search logs on search engines, like actions on social media, activity logs, location information, payment information, and registering personal information with various services, make us a "sender" without being aware. Companies collect information and develop advertisement activities that meet the needs of individuals, thereby changing individual's behavior.
Today, the Internet has become a vital part of our daily lives, and we need to be aware that what we do or say has value beyond human communication. While we enjoy the convenience of the Internet, we need to engage in further discussion about how information is handled and transmitted.
Review (japanese only)
Potari review, https://potari.jp/2022/02/8452/
Boundbaw review, http://boundbaw.com/world-topics/articles/144