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Communities and Web 2.0

Grindr and Gay Identity

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to describe how the LGBT community have embraced social networking and how for all the benefits that the community have gained, they still continue to challenge heterosexual norms. The introduction of Web 2.0 and the spread of social networking has enabled the LGBT community to flourish in a space that they have taken full advantage of. Dating apps such as Grindr have enabled the already strong community bonds within the LGBT community to be strengthened, Read more [...]
Categories
Communities and Web 2.0

Virtual communities challenging the professional representation of autism through website discussion forums

This paper looks at the concepts of representation, virtual community, self-presentation and self-representation to argue that virtual communities on Wrong Planet and Aspie Central use website affordances to challenge professional representations of ASD and AS. It focuses on virtual autistic communities by focusing on the discussion forums on the websites Aspie Central and Wrong Planet. Overall, it finds that virtual communities can challenge professional representation where people with ASD and AS can freely speak out. This is evident in the websites which allow anyone to view discussions and use them (if they sign up). Read more [...]