Author: helena.opower

Overall, the article presents a well-designed and informative project on the concept of timbre and the implementation of the Timbre Explorer synthesizer interface that enables real-time control of four salient dimensions of timbre, i.e., attack time, brightness, spectral flux, and spectral density. The interface has a graphical user interface with live visualizations to help users understand the effects of each dimension. The applications of the Timbre Explorer include educating users about sound synthesis, the concept of timbre, and the frequency domain, as well as providing a practical shortcut for synthesizers and advancing our understanding of timbre through further perceptual studies. The article describes the background of the study and its influence on the Timbre Explorer’s design, including the previous timbre space instruments. The author also explains the Timbre Explorer’s synthesis model, which controls the base, unfiltered spectrum of the sound, the frequency filter, the initial spectro-temporal evolution of the timbre, and the temporal amplitude envelope. 

One possible improvement could be to include more options for the user to customize the interface’s appearance and layout to better suit their preferences and needs. Additionally, some users may prefer a more tactile or physical interface, such as a MIDI controller, to better control the Timbre Explorer’s parameters.

One potential criticism of the article is that it could have provided more detail on the practical applications of the Timbre Explorer beyond its educational purposes. While the author briefly mentions its potential as a performance instrument and for further perceptual timbre studies, it would have been interesting to read more about its potential use in the music industry or other fields.

Overall, however, the article effectively communicates the purpose and design of the Timbre Explorer and provides valuable insights into the concept of timbre and its practical implementation in music synthesis.

http://doi.org/10.21428/92fbeb44.92a95683

On Instagram, people tend to present themselves in a highly curated and idealized way, often portraying an image of a perfect and happy life. This can be achieved through the use of filters, photo editing tools, and selective posting. It’s not uncommon for users to only post the highlights of their lives and to avoid sharing the more mundane or difficult aspects.

Additionally, many users tend to use filters and other editing tools to enhance their photos and to present themselves in the best possible light. These tools can be used to conceal imperfections, to change the lighting and color of a photo, or to add special effects. This can create an unrealistic and misleading representation of a person’s life and appearance.

It’s important to remember that the images we see on Instagram are not always an accurate representation of reality. Many users are presenting an idealized version of themselves, and we should be cautious of comparing our own lives to the filtered and curated images we see on the platform.

There are several reasons why people tend to present themselves in an idealized and curated way on Instagram. One major factor is the desire for validation and attention. Instagram is a platform that is based on likes, comments, and followers, and users may feel pressure to present a positive image in order to gain more engagement and followers.

Another reason is the fear of rejection and the desire to fit in. Instagram can be a highly competitive platform, and users may feel pressure to present themselves in a certain way in order to be accepted by their peers. Additionally, users may also feel pressure to present a certain image in order to be attractive to potential partners or to be successful in their careers.

Instagram’s design also plays a role in encouraging this behavior. The platform’s algorithm prioritizes posts with higher engagement, which means that users who present an idealized image of themselves are more likely to gain visibility and followers. Additionally, Instagram’s features, such as filters and editing tools, make it easy for users to present an idealized image of themselves.

However, this tendency to present an idealized image of oneself can be toxic. It can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem among users who feel like they can’t measure up to the curated images they see on the platform. Additionally, it can create a distorted and unrealistic image of reality, which can be harmful for users who are trying to form an accurate understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Moreover, the constant need to present an idealized version of oneself can be time-consuming and can lead to the neglect of real life connections and experiences. It can also lead to a lack of authenticity, which can make it hard for users to form meaningful connections on the platform.

In conclusion, while Instagram’s design can encourage users to present an idealized image of themselves, it’s important to be aware of the potential negative consequences of this behavior and to find a balance between the curated image we want to show and the real one.

Anonymity on Instagram is a double-edged sword, on one hand, it allows users to express themselves freely without fear of judgment or backlash, but on the other hand, it can also be used as a tool for cyberbullying and harassment.

Cyberbullying, also known as online bullying, is a form of bullying that occurs through digital devices and platforms like Instagram. It can take many forms, including name-calling, harassment, and spreading rumors. Anonymity on Instagram can make it easier for bullies to hide behind fake profiles or fake identities and to evade accountability for their actions.

Instagram’s design also plays a role in facilitating cyberbullying. The platform’s features, such as direct messaging and comments, make it easy for bullies to target their victims and to spread their hateful messages. Additionally, Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes posts with high engagement, which can amplify the reach and impact of negative comments and messages.

Moreover, Instagram’s system to report bullying or harassment is not effective, and it’s not easy to use. This can discourage victims from reporting the issue, and it can make it hard to track and stop bullies.

The reasons behind cyberbullying on Instagram are complex, and they can range from personal issues to societal problems. However, it’s important to remember that anonymous or not, cyberbullying is never acceptable, and that Instagram has a responsibility to design the platform in a way that prioritizes the safety and well-being of its users.

Blind trust is a phenomenon that occurs when we rely on the opinions and actions of others without critically evaluating the information or the source. On Instagram, this can manifest in the form of influencer culture, where users look to popular and highly-followed individuals to guide their choices and behaviors.

Influencers on Instagram often have a large following and are able to reach a large audience with their content. They are often seen as trustworthy and relatable figures, and their posts and recommendations can carry a lot of weight with their followers. However, it’s important to remember that influencers are not immune to manipulation and bias, and that they may have ulterior motives for their actions and recommendations.

For example, influencers may be paid or sponsored to promote certain products or brands, without disclosing that information to their followers. They may also be swayed by their own personal biases or interests, rather than providing an unbiased perspective. This can lead to users blindly trusting influencers and making decisions based on their recommendations, without considering the potential conflicts of interest or lack of objectivity.

From a psychological perspective, influencer culture on Instagram is able to tap into several key factors that make it effective in influencing and manipulating user behavior. One major factor is the concept of social proof, which refers to the idea that we are more likely to conform to the actions and beliefs of those around us. On Instagram, this can manifest in the form of seeing popular influencers endorsing a product or behavior and feeling compelled to do the same.

Another key factor is the concept of self-esteem and self-worth. Many users on Instagram may feel a sense of validation and connection through likes, comments, and followers, which can be influenced by influencers. Influencers can also create a sense of aspiration and FOMO (fear of missing out) by showing off their seemingly perfect lives, which can lead to users feeling like they need to buy certain products or follow certain trends in order to be like them.

Instagram’s design also plays a role in facilitating the work of influencers. The algorithm used by Instagram favors posts with higher engagement, which means that posts from influencers with large followings are more likely to be seen by users. Additionally, Instagram’s design makes it easy for influencers to monetize their following by providing sponsored post options and other forms of brand partnerships. This means that the platform is designed to reward influencers and make their content more visible, which in turn makes it more likely that users will be influenced by them.

All in all it’s important to be critical of the information we see on Instagram and to not blindly trust influencers or any other source of information. It’s always better to do our own research, and to be aware of the potential biases and conflicts of interest that may be present.

Like buttons and comments on Instagram are features that allow users to interact with each other’s content. They are a fundamental part of the platform and have a significant impact on how users experience the platform.

Like buttons, also known as “likes,” are a simple way for users to indicate that they appreciate a post. They are often used as a form of validation and can serve as a measure of the popularity of a post. The number of likes on a post can influence how users perceive the value of the content and how they interact with it. For example, a post with a high number of likes may be considered more valuable or interesting than one with fewer likes. This can also lead users to feel pressure to get more likes on their own posts and create content that they think will be more likely to get likes.

Comments, on the other hand, are a more interactive way for users to express their thoughts and opinions on a post. They can be used to start conversations and to build relationships with other users. However, comments can also be used to bully, harass, or spread misinformation. This can lead to negative experiences on the platform and can have a significant impact on a user’s mental well-being.

Both like buttons and comments have the power to shape how users interact with the platform and with each other. They can be used positively to connect and engage with others, but they can also be used negatively to manipulate or harm others. It’s important for users to be aware of the potential impact of these features and to use them responsibly.

The Instagram algorithm is a complex system that uses machine learning and data analysis to personalize the content that is shown to each user. The algorithm takes into account various factors such as the user’s past behavior, engagement levels, and interests to determine what content is most relevant to them.

One of the main ways the algorithm works is by prioritizing content from accounts that the user engages with frequently. This means that if a user frequently likes, comments, and shares posts from a particular account, that account’s posts will be more likely to appear at the top of their feed. This can lead to a filter bubble effect, where users are only exposed to content that they already agree with or are interested in, and they miss out on diverse perspectives and ideas.

Another way the algorithm works is by analyzing the engagement levels on posts. Posts that receive a lot of likes, comments, and shares are considered to be more popular and relevant, and will be shown to more users. This can lead to a popularity contest on the platform, where users are encouraged to create content that is likely to get a lot of engagement, rather than content that is meaningful or important to them.

The algorithm also uses a process called “shadowbanning” to limit the visibility of certain accounts or hashtags. This can happen when an account or hashtag is deemed to be in violation of Instagram’s guidelines or is considered to be spammy. This can have a significant impact on the reach and engagement of an account, and it can be difficult for the account owner to determine why their content is not being seen by as many people.

In summary, the Instagram algorithm is designed to personalize the content that is shown to each user, but it can also lead to filter bubbles, popularity contests, and shadowbanning, that can limit the diversity of perspectives and ideas that users are exposed to and can manipulate them into creating and engaging with certain type of content.

– Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story

While movies used to captivate us for hours as kids of the generation Z, today we give our undivided attention to social media. And we do not always do this consciously. The days when linear television made decisions for us are over. Instead, we are almost helplessly exposed to a flood of information. A glance at our phone is enough and we find ourselves in more than just one world.

But how do social platforms like Instagram manage to keep us on them for hours at a time and even make us dependent on them? – One answer to this are DARK PATTERNS. Dark patterns are manipulative design techniques used in user interfaces to lead people towards certain actions, such as making a purchase or sharing personal information. These techniques can be found on various platforms, including Instagram.

One example of a dark pattern on Instagram is the use of “endless scrolling.” This is when the platform uses an algorithm to continuously show users more content, even after they have viewed all of the posts in their feed. This can lead to a never-ending cycle of browsing and can cause users to spend more time on the platform than they intended. The endless scrolling can also lead to feelings of FOMO (fear of missing out) as users are constantly exposed to new content. It can also be used to keep users engaged with the platform by displaying interesting content they might have missed before. But this endless scrolling has also been known to affect users’ mental well-being, creating the feeling of not being able to disconnect or feeling overwhelmed.

Overall, dark patterns on Instagram can be used to manipulate users into taking actions that they may not have intended to take. It is important for users to be aware of these techniques and to exercise caution when using the platform.

Everything is colorful, sparkles, flashes, everyone laughs, everything is beautiful. You have the opportunity to experience the great life of your friends and share your own. Through comments, likes and the direct messages you can communicate and interact with your friends or new people. You can get inspired, discover new opportunities and possibilities, or even convince others about yourself and inspire them. It all sounds like a beautiful world on Instagram and a good exchange with social contacts. 

So why is Instagram increasingly portrayed as toxic, why are more and more warnings being issued, and why is this app even said to lead to depression? I would like to explore these questions at the beginning of my research and uncover the risks that this supposedly beautiful illusory world brings with it.

Anxious, Stressed, Depressed:

People tend to seek for a digital status (online popularity) and compare themselves to others. These behaviors are leading to depressive symptoms such as anxiety, body concerns and lower self-esteem. 

The problem with comparing oneself online is that users not only see their friends, but also many people they would never meet in real life and whose pictures have usually been edited with heavy filters. The boundaries between friends and celebrities become blurred. This then leads to a false social comparison, as users start to compare themselves with people and make them their ideal image, who in this way do not exist at all.

Users also begin to edit their own images and adjust their weight, for example, because of this social pressure. This also leads to eating disorders. A study at Florida State University found that one in three women edit their pictures before posting them, and this also has a direct correlation with dissatisfaction about their own bodies.

Another study showed that people who were shown photos of fitness, beauty and modeling experienced increased negative mood and anxiety than the control group who were shown neutral images (nature, food).

These were just a few examples of what Instagram does to us and our body image. Numerous of studies indicate that the use of the app from the point of view of edited images can lead to severe anxiety, eating disorders, insecurities and depressive feelings. 

So this is a big, if not the biggest, risk that Instagram brings and that I think needs to be countered. I will discuss other risks and initial counter-movements in the following blog posts.

Online Comparison

Friends & Celebrities

Eating Disorder

Harmed body image

Anxiety & Negative Mood

Happy laughter, the most beautiful faces and bodies, the most loving couples, numerous activities, travels and adventures… the perfect life. This describes nowadays our Instagram feed and thus a social media app that we are “exposed” to every day. The problem here: this is not life. We’re not always super happy, head over heels in love, constantly traveling, and our faces don’t have soft focus. This begs the questions: what is Instagram actually doing to us? And what are we doing with Instagram? How do we deal with this social pressure of the super happy life, how do we present ourselves on such a platform, how much are we influenced by what we see there every day and how does it change us and thus society? 

My personal motivation behind this is my environment and movements on Instagram like the hashtags #realinstagram #foremorerealityoninstagram, which make it clear that this problem of the supposedly social medium has already been recognized by many and attempts are being made to fight against it or to change the platform in a better direction.

On the basis of this social phenomenon, I would like to analyze how these dark patterns are implemented in design, what psychological design tools are used, and what effects this has. I would like to look at Instagram from two sides, the side of the dark patterns and the side of the opportunities and possibilities that this platform offers.

After a consideration from a phenomenological point of view, my vision is a media didactic work, which should aim at raising awareness of this topic, sensitizing society to it and especially at offering opportu­nities for the generations that are newly growing into the social media everyday life, or are thrown into it much more, to be able to deal with this format properly.

Literature

Toxic Social Media

Instagram Accounts to Make Your Feed Less Toxic

Body positivity on Instagram

Instagram use and mental health

Motives for Instagram Use

Instagram Photos and Depression

Bildpraktiken auf Instagram