Episode 2: Why are people so nasty to women on the Internet?

In this episode we take a look at the dark sexist underbelly of the Internet. We discuss examples in blogging (like the unreasonably explosive reactions to a gluten-free woman food blogger), gaming, and social media. In the process, we take up the patriarchy, gender-based violence, and the concept of “emotion work.”

Links to Stuff We Talk About

Theory

On the patriarchy:
http://www.academia.edu/5488906/Patriarchy_Feminist_Theory_encyclopedia_essay_on_concept_of_patriarchy_

On emotion work:
Arlie Russell Hochschild. The Managed Heart. University of California Press. 2012. Print.  

Context

Feminist Frequency:  http://www.feministfrequency.com/

Articles

Shauna James Ahern. “WARM BROWN RICE AND GRILLED VEGETABLE SALAD.” Gluten Free Girl blog.  August 30, 2011. http://glutenfreegirl.com/2011/08/warm-brown-rice-and-grilled-vegetable-salad/

Maeve Duggan. "Online Harassment." Pew Research Center. October 22, 2014. Pew Study: http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/10/22/online-harassment/

"Ending Violence Against Women and Girls." UN Briefing Paper. http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/endviol/ (noting Wold Bank data cited indicating women more at risk of sexual threats than cancer, accidents, etc.)

Jay Hathaway. "What Is Gamergate, and Why? An Explainer for Non-Geeks." Gawker. October 10, 2014. http://gawker.com/what-is-gamergate-and-why-an-explainer-for-non-geeks-1642909080

Amanda Hess. “Why Women Aren't Welcome on the Internet.” Pactific Standard. January 26. 2014. http://www.psmag.com/health-and-behavior/women-arent-welcome-internet-72170

Phelan, J. E., C. A. Moss-Racusin and L. A. Rudman (2008), COMPETENT YET OUT IN THE COLD: SHIFTING CRITERIA FOR HIRING REFLECT BACKLASH TOWARD AGENTIC WOMEN. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 32: 406–413. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-6402.2008.00454.x.  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1471-6402.2008.00454.x/abstract.

Adam Serwer and Katie J.M. Baker. “How Men’s Rights Leader Paul Elam Turned Being A Deadbeat Dad Into A Moneymaking Movement.” Buzzfeed. February 5, 2015. http://www.buzzfeed.com/adamserwer/how-mens-rights-leader-paul-elam-turned-being-a-deadbeat-dad#.rsp26Qd4l (ugh)

Lindy West. "Ask Not For Whom The Bell Trolls; It Trolls for Thee" from episode 545 "If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say, SAY IT IN ALL CAPS." January 23, 2015. This American Lifehttp://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/545/if-you-dont-have-anything-nice-to-say-say-it-in-all-caps.

 

Posted on June 14, 2015 .