Digital rendering of a dark skinned male face, dark background

Generative AI and the uncanny valley (and a call to action)

Blog
Ruben den Boer
09/03/2023

Understanding how we perceive AI-generated content is not only new and exciting. It is urgent. As students and scholars of digital culture, we should develop an empirically grounded understanding of this new mode of discourse. 

Understanding how we perceive AI-generated content is not only new and exciting. It is urgent. As students and scholars of digital culture, we should develop an empirically grounded understanding of this new mode of discourse. 

michelle choi youtuber

Michelle Choi and her autobiographical ‘Living Alone Diaries’

Blog
Jessaline Tanjung
18/06/2022

This article analyses how YouTuber Michelle Choi "writes" her digital autobiography online by looking at how she communicates with her audience and her online identity. Through her videos, Choi authorises shared memories with her viewers.

Spotify Wrapped abstract visual

What does your Spotify Wrapped say about you?

Blog
Ruben den Boer
05/12/2021

Spotify Wrapped is fun. But what if there’s more to it than just fun? What if the Spotify Wrapped tradition tells us something about contemporary online culture, about the influence of tech companies, and - ultimately - about ourselves? 

The Sudokus from Cracking the Cryptic have taken up a significant portion of my and my father's conversations. What makes these Sudokus so exciting and how do they contribute to the unique connection between my dad and me?

How Gen Z shops

How Gen Z shops

Blog
Jelske van Es
04/10/2021

Gen Z makes up almost 40 percent of all consumer shopping. How does Gen Z shop? And what do they value in a brand?

This paper explores and explains Transmedia as a concept while using the Star Trek franchise as a case study. Focus will be drawn towards Star Trek Lower Decks, the franchises’ latest iteration.

 Movies in 2020

COVID-19 in film: Signifier and Myth

Blog
j.e.n.grassere@uvt.nl Grassère
20/04/2021

The film industry has changed drastically during COVID-19. The pandemic has changed both streaming services and cinemas. Personalization and oligopoly are the keywords in this. How does this reflect society? Find out by clicking this article. 

Blizzard Entertainment an online game company made the controversial decision to ban a professional gamer for making his political stance towards Hong Kong known, now their own fictional character is becoming the mascot of the movement, how?.

Disney Castle

Disney castle: semiotics and variation

Blog
j.e.n.grassere@uvt.nl Grassère
17/02/2021

The Disney Castle is widely known image. But how does it function as a sign?What does it signify to whom? And what can we say about the variety of Disney Castles? This paper goes into all of that and more, including the history behind this icon. 

Beyoncé quotes feminist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in her song Flawless

Commercialization of feminism is killing women

Blog
Ilse van Knegsel
29/01/2021

Commercialization of feminism and postfeminism are movements that are interrelated and can be understood as new, ‘sexier’ variations on the traditional feminism. This commercialization of feminism can have major negative consequences for women.

GirlfriendReviews

Girlfriendreviews: Games, Journalism and Satire

Blog
j.e.n.grassere@uvt.nl Grassère
02/02/2021

Girlfriendreviews combines journalistic functions of entertainment and information not unlike a satirical news show. However it does this in a niched fashion thus showing of polycentricity in online culture.