Toward a Theory of Critical Computing: The Case of Social Identity Representation in Digital Media Applications
Date
2009-06-05
Authors
Harrell, D. Fox
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pacific Centre for Technology and Culture
Abstract
The affordances of the computational medium offer particular means through which social and cultural critique can be posed. I have introduced the term “polymorphic poetics” as the computational means through which computational representations of imaginative semantic constructs become dynamic, interactive, and generative. Here, I propose polymorphic poetics as a means to enable “critical computing.” As a case study, I present recent work theory and technology for developing empowering, transformative, and critical representations of users’ identities such as player characters, avatars, or social networking profiles. Current representations are typically inadequate for conveying subjective social identity experiences and fail to engage diverse insights regarding social categorization and identity construction from cognitive science and cultural theory. Hence, computational social identity representation infrastructures often reinforce stereotyped identity construction and experience patterns as opposed to allowing for critical identity construction. I provide an account of this phenomenon and propose new technologies to do better.
Description
Keywords
critical computing, digital media, avatars, polymorphic poetics, social networking profiles, cognitive science, social and cultural critique, computational identity, critical identity construction, Pacific Centre for Technology and Culture (PACTAC)
Citation
Harrell, D. Fox. "Toward a Theory of Critical Computing: The Case of Social Identity Representation in Digital Media Applications." Pacific Centre for Technology and Culture, Victoria, B.C. 5 June 2009. Presentation.