As the reading states, “the gaze can address gender, race, sexuality, and other identities and reveal how new media intermesh gazing, touching, and accessing” (White 2006, 2005). This reminds me a lot about our discussion on algorithms. We are able to see how some things shown in the media, such as social media, are created for one’s specific gaze. In social media, one’s gaze is seen through their algorithm, whether it be their “for you page” on TikTok or “explore page” on Instagram, because they are constantly being shown what interests them. The reading mentioned how some forms of media portray women as objects, because they are designed for the male gaze. As we know, men tend to hold higher positions of power than women, therefore these negative depictions of women are pretty common. An example of this gaze can be seen in movies that are mostly watched by men. In action movies, the male main character is the hero while the female needs to be rescued. Movies such as these are directed towards the male gaze because these films make men feel powerful and superior. This is just one example of how different forms of media are created to address a specific gaze, whether it be gender, race, sexuality, etc.
4 thoughts on “Marielle Dibbini: Gaze”
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I did not connect algorithms and gaze and I am glad you brought this point up because I believe that gaze and the audience that it was designed for in the present and past is very important in the same way Tik Tok and other social media platforms change their feeds for their “audience”. Tik Tok’s algorithm works to keep the user entertained and stay on the app in the same way that gaze, whether intentionally or unintentionally is used to target a “white cisgender male” audience because that is what who is most prominent in the people that make the media and are in the media.
I definitely agree with Thomas here that you bring up a strong argument for algorithms that address what people want to see and to keep them engaged. Unfortunately, this can be harmful as it continues negative stereotypes that you mention of women and other underrepresented communities to those who need exposure to other viewpoints the most. We brought up in a *will meeting where we were being trained in microaggressions that students who desire to study WGSS definitely don’t need to be trained in these things because we are already knowledgeable about their harmful effects whereas people who are causing harmful stereotypes need the exposure we just aren’t sure how to enact this change.
The reading mainly touches on the connection between gaze and the way in which women are depicted in regards to the male gaze, but I too think that it is important to recognize how algorithms has fostered personal gaze within media. I think that the regional gaze of areas has a big effect especially within politics. The exposure of political issues that are portrayed differently throughout the country play a huge role in terms of exposure and preference. Social media one of the leading outlets for personal opinion and speech, and platforms such as Tik Tok base their content off of region. I think that this could be a leading factor for the division in our country as we are only exposed to a certain gaze which focuses on a certain viewpoint.
Great insight into the connection between gaze and algorithms. I hadn’t made that connection, either, and it’s a meaningful insight in my own study. Cheers!