Question for Jeremy Birnholtz's talk on "Self-Presentation in Sociotechnical Life: How We Present Ourselves to Each Other in a World of Digital Platforms"

[jamesallenevans]

Questions for Jeremy Birnholtz regarding his talk: Self-Presentation in Sociotechnical Life: How We Present Ourselves to Each Other in a World of Digital Platforms. "Self-presentation, rooted in Goffman’s classic work, is the fundamental social process by which people shape their public personas and play the social roles (e.g., teacher, student, lesbian, doctor, etc.) that structure our everyday interactions. Today’s social platforms and communication technologies, however, complicate this process in ways that Goffman could never have anticipated. Specifically, the “physics” of how information moves in the environment have changed and can vary widely from platform to platform. And we lack a systematic framework for discussing these differences and how people cope with them (and their consequences). In this talk, I will discuss a book manuscript Michael Ann DeVito and I are working on to address this gap. I will give an overview of the framework, our focus in particular on LGBTQ+ populations, and how we can use this work to better understand and describe important social behavior in a range of online contexts." Birnholtz_Macapagal_2021.pdf

[Jessieliao2001]

Thanks for your sharing! This paper reminds me of one paper we discussed about last quarter. And my curiosity is: How do the implications of detecting sexual orientation through facial features using deep neural networks impact privacy rights and ethical considerations in digital environments, and what measures could be implemented to ensure that such technological capabilities do not lead to discrimination or harm, especially in diverse sociocultural contexts?

[saniazeb8]

Thank you for sharing your work. I am curious about the linkage of the self presentation with the socio-economic factors. I believe this analysis could also be broadened for inequality in workspaces and how competitive job markets have become owing to raising manoeuvres of self presentation in the industry.

[Dededon]

Hi Prof Jeremy, thank you for the presentation! It is a very intersting paper to study online behavior and sexuality with qualitative method. I'm having a question about recruiting interviewees online: we are often agnostic about information as family, socio-political-economic background, and more unseen characteristics of the users, but in many ways our research are about those unseen factors. How can we tackle this question in recruitment to find the right people to interview?

[bhavyapan]

Thanks for sharing your work, Professor! I found your discussion and distinction between behavior itself and the mechanisms that render behavior visible, quite interesting. This might be an abstract line of thinking but I am curious -- how do you see the role of 'extras' and other self-presentation centered social interactions evolving in the future -- particularly as the world slowly moves towards the normalization of a virtual reality (read: Apple Vision Pro craze) -- given the insights this research presents on the changes in the 'physics' of information movement?

[zcyou018]

Thanks for sharing! I'm wondering how do the temporality and persistence of online content affect the self-presentation strategies of young gay and bisexual males on Instagram, and what implications does this have for the design of social media platforms to better support diverse identity expressions?

[XiaotongCui]

Thanks for sharing! I wonder how did the participation of the audience become a part of the self-presentation on social media? How do the actions of the audience, such as likes and comments, influence an individual's strategy for self-presentation on platforms like Instagram?

[oliang2000]

I find it intriguing that the text interview option was made available, even though only two participants opted for this mode. Considering the distinctive characteristics of text interviews compared to traditional spoken interviews, text responses allow individuals to edit and review their answers before sending, so I wonder if you have looked at the differences in expressions used and the depth of thought conveyed.

[C-y22]

In your study, you explore the nuanced ways in which these individuals navigate and perform their identities within the platform's constraints and affordances. Given the evolving nature of social media platforms and their increasingly sophisticated algorithms that influence content visibility and user engagement, how do you anticipate these changes impacting GBM individuals' strategies for identity performance on Instagram or similar platforms in the future? Additionally, how might these shifts affect the theoretical frameworks that underpin our understanding of online identity performance and self-presentation for marginalized communities?

[Hai1218]

How do participants navigate the potential social risks and perceptions associated with the strategic use and manipulation of content persistence for self-presentation on Instagram? Specifically, how do they manage audience perceptions when deleting hashtags or employing ephemeral content, to ensure that these tactics are not perceived negatively or as overly attention-seeking by their audiences?

[kexinz330]

Hi, thanks for sharing your research! I want to know that considering the findings on how young gay and bisexual males manage their online image on Instagram, how do you think these methods will change with social media updates and trends? Also, what effect might these changes have on the well-being and connections of LGBTQ+ youth online?

[nourabdelbaki]

Hi Prof. Birnholtz, thank you for sharing your paper with us! It was a very interesting read. I have two questions, first: in what ways do the visibility and persistence of audience engagement (likes, comments) on Instagram posts influence how young GBM curate their self-presentation over time? And also, shifting gears to possible practical solutions, what can social media platforms do to better support the safe and healthy online self-presentation of LGBTQ+ youth?

[xinyi030]

Thanks for sharing your interesting paper! In your study, you explore the nuanced strategies young gay and bisexual men use for self-presentation on Instagram, particularly around the subtlety of disclosing their sexual identities. Given the emphasis on managing audience perceptions over time, I'm curious about the psychological impacts you observed or inferred from this balancing act. How do these self-presentation strategies affect their mental health and well-being, especially in the context of potentially receiving negative reactions or facing stigma?

[PaulaTepkham]

Thank you for your informative paper! I am intrigued by the your research which focus on young gay people. My question is why you choose to focus on this group? What the distinguish between each gender in terms of their self-representative?

[shaangao]

Thanks for sharing your study! I wonder what individual differences could be read from how people present themselves. In theory of mind and narrative studies, story telling is viewed as an "inverse inverse planning" process where the presenters design a message for the audience to infer the presenters' mental states; from this perspective, how the story is framed itself is reflective of the presenters' cognitive processes. Does temporality yield different changes in self-presentation across individuals?

[natashacarpcast]

Thank you for the research!

I'm curious about the computational component of it (assuming there should be one since this is MACSS). Is it the methodology of using text-message interviews for some participants? I've never heard that approach, and I found it very interesting, as I agree that sometimes it's easier for young people to express themselves through them (myself included!).

So, is it enough to contact participants through text messages to consider that a project has a computational methodology? Or is there anything else I'm missing?

Either way, I think the topic is very interesting and relevant!

[ethanjkoz]

Because I have a similar interest in exploring online behavior and identity expression in online spaces I found this paper to be very informative and quite fun to read. I had a question regarding the collection methods: To me it seems to be a very nonstraightforward approach to find willing research participants. How did this sampling procedure come to fruition and why was this chosen over other potential participant recruitment design. Furthermore I am interested whether the results of the text message conversations should be held to a different standard than the indepth interviews?

[hchen0628]

Thank you very much for your valuable and impressive research. I would like to ask if there is any difference between people's self-presentation on platforms like Instagram, which emphasizes visuals (photos, videos), and platforms like X and Facebook, which emphasize text.

[Yuxin-Ji]

Thanks for sharing your work! In this study you recruited participants that already have a large number of followers, which might be correlated with the findings -- such as either their characteristics of identity and content persistency helped them gain audiences or they gradually developed these characteristics as they gain audiences. I wonder what are some possible implications and interpretations of the cause of the findings and whether it applies to individuals with less followers?

[HamsterradYC]

Thank you for sharing your fascinating research on the temporal dynamics of online self-presentation among young GBM Instagram users. I have a couple of inquiries regarding the broader implications of your findings.
Given the diversity within the GBM community, including variations in cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds, how do you think these differences influence the strategies employed for online self-presentation? Were these diversity factors considered in your participant selection process, and how might they affect the generalizability of your findings across the GBM community? Additionally, considering social platforms that prioritize textual content or offer anonymous interactions, such as Twitter or Reddit, how do you anticipate your findings might differ in these contexts? Do you believe the unique affordances of these platforms could lead to distinct strategies in temporal self-presentation compared to visual-centric platforms like Instagram?

[fabrice401]

An interesting paper! Considering these complexities and the high stakes involved in online self-presentation for LGBTQ+ users, how do the authors propose that social media platforms can be designed or adapted to better support the self-presentation needs and safety of LGBTQ+ individuals, while still allowing for the expression of their identities and the flexibility to adjust their presentation over time?

[grawayt]

Thank you for sharing your work with us! I am wondering whether self-presentation behavioral patterns change the longer someone uses the app? For example, if the self-presentation of a new user different from the self-presentation of someone who's had it four a few years?

[yuzhouw313]

Dear Professor Birnholtz,
Thank you for sharing your research with us! Based on your research, how do the strategies employed by Instagram users, such as the use of hashtags and ephemeral stories, reflect a nuanced understanding of digital visibility and audience engagement, particularly in the context of navigating identity performance and social perceptions?

[ecg1331]

Thank you for sharing your work! It was a very interesting read.
I thought your comparison to followers as 'extras' who are participating in the performance such a unique perspective.

I am curious if you see the changes in the Instagram algorithm so that a lot of posts are less visible will change the way that people perform/give you different results.

[binyu0419]

Thank you for sharing! My question is: Goffman's theory emphasizes the performance of individuals in social interactions, he writes that: "Under our published principles and plighted language we must assiduously hide all the inequalities of our moods and conduct, and this without hypocrisy, since our deliberate character is more truly ourself than is the flux of our involuntary dreams.” (Goffman, 1959). Here he suggests that even in the backstage, an individual's behavior can be influenced by internalized social norms and expectations. Therefore, can we consider that there is no true "sexual orientation," and that an individual's understanding of their own "sexual orientation" is a sum of their masks, because there is nothing substantial beneath the masks?

[zhian21]

The study demonstrates that gay and bisexual men (GBM) on Instagram strategically utilize the platform's affordances for identity persistence, content persistence, and audience engagement to adjust the speed and visibility of their role performances. This strategic use of Instagram's features allows them to manage how their identity is perceived over time, balancing the need for authenticity with the desire for privacy and safety.

Based on this finding, how will the strategies employed by GBM on Instagram for managing identity and audience engagement influence their sense of authenticity and privacy, and what will be the potential implications for their mental health and well-being?

[jiayan-li]

Thanks for sharing! I'm really interested in Goffman's self presentation theory and enjoy your take on it! The point of "alter the pace of their role performances" is fascinating to me. I'm interested in learning about your view of the potential of computational methods in studying tech-mediated communication.

[JerryCG]

Hi Jeremy,

An interesting qualitative research. Would you consider quantitative empirical study to validate your theoretical framework?

Best,
Jerry Cheng (chengguo)

[zihua-uc]

Thank you for sharing your work! I wonder how this differs across different social networking platforms. E.g., I would imagine self-presentation on LinkedIn to be a toned down version of self-presentation on Instagram. On the other hand, I would imagine self-presentation to be more flamboyant on dating websites. It would be interesting to learn how different groups of people (lesbians, bisexual females, etc.) behave differently on these platforms as well.

[Weiranz926]

Thank you for your sharing! I have two questions as follows:
How does your framework account for the role of algorithms and data privacy concerns in shaping self-presentation strategies on digital platforms, especially for marginalized communities like LGBTQ+ populations?
In light of the global nature of digital platforms, how does your framework address cross-cultural variations in self-presentation norms and practices, and what challenges do these variations pose for users trying to navigate different online spaces?

[lbitsiko]

Always refreshing to see some Goffman.
I was wondering on how to approach your research topic from a computationally enhanced methodology perspective, maybe from an observational perspective. Have you considered this? Would very much value your inputs.

[Caojie2001]

Thanks for sharing your interesting work! I'm curious how you think differences in the structure of social platforms (such as optional interaction methods) affect the self-presentation of participating individuals.

[Ry-Wu]

Hi professor Birnholtz, thank you for sharing your amazing research! I wonder if the self-presentation for LGBTQ+ community is consistent across different social platforms and whether recommendation algorithms in the platforms affect their self-presentations? Looking forward to your talk today.

[yiang-li]

Thanks for sharing your work. How does the proposed framework help in understanding the unique challenges and strategies of self-presentation for LGBTQ+ populations on digital platforms? Can you provide specific examples or case studies that illustrate the effectiveness of this framework?

[Aiwen-Xiao]

Thank you for sharing your work! Considering the impact of generative AI and the diverse nature of social media platforms on users' digital identities, how might future research adapt its methodologies to comprehensively study the evolving landscape of online self-presentation, particularly for LGBTQ+ communities across different platforms?

[KekunH]

Thank you for sharing your work! My questions are how do the temporal affordances and audience engagement features of platforms like Instagram influence the self-presentation strategies of marginalized groups, and what are the implications for designing research methods in highly qualitative studies focusing on individual experiences while ensuring validity?

[yuy123337]

Hi, Dr.Birnholz. Thank you very much for sharing! The study shows the importance of features such as followers and likes to social media users. Even if future designs hide these numbers, followers will still play a big role in how people perform online. Thus, I am wondering how could the findings in the article change how people perceive the relationship between those who post on social media and those who view their content?

[yunfeiavawang]

Thanks for the amazing paper! What we present on social media is the combination of our subjectivity and imagination of other's perceptions. I am curious about how people balance the two sides, and what features influence their emphasis on self-expression or catering to other's expectations.

[iefis]

Thanks for presenting this very interesting work! I would like to learn more about the visibility mechanism discussed in the paper. How would we expect to see changes in the visibility mechanisms given the interactions with audiences?

[Daniela-miaut]

Thanks for the presentation. Your research makes me thinking of embodiment. Do you think the self-presentation on social media also changes people's embodiment in such environments (and in their daily life)?

[essicaJ]

Thanks for sharing your work! Could you provide some examples of how different online platforms influence the self-presentation strategies of their users, particularly those from LGBTQ+ communities?

[66Alexa]

Thanks for sharing this meaningful topic! Given the rapid evolution of digital technologies and social platforms, how do you see your framework adapting to future changes in the sociotechnical landscape? Are there any emerging platforms or technologies that pose new challenges or opportunities for self-presentation research?

[adamvvu]

Thanks for sharing your work. Have you found differences in the temporal dynamics of self-presentation between GBM and non-GBM people?

[cty20010831]

Thanks for sharing! I am wondering what are the potential implications of this framework for understanding the negotiation of identity and privacy by marginalized groups in digital spaces?

[schen115]

Thank you for your insightful sharing! Given the evolving nature of self-presentation in the digital age, particularly among young gay and bisexual males on platforms like Instagram, how can we further explore the nuanced strategies individuals employ to manage their online identities across different temporal dynamics and audience engagements?

[Yunrui11]

Thank you for the presentation! Given the evolving nature of social technologies and their impact on self-presentation, do you see potential implications for how individuals develop and maintain their self-concept over time, especially in the context of young GBM individuals?

[mingxuan-he]

Hi professor Birnholtz, I'm particularly curious about how state censorship and propaganda impact online queer identities. How does state level anti-queer content moderation in e.g. China, Russia, and Middle East impact people's online identity? Moreover, is there a connection between social class and queer identity expression under such moderation schemes?

[Adrianne-Li]

Thank you, professor Birnholtz, for your insightful talk on digital self-presentation. Your work on updating Goffman’s theories for the digital age, especially focusing on LGBTQ+ experiences, is incredibly important. I'm curious about how your framework addresses the impact of algorithmic biases and platform design on self-presentation for marginalized groups. How do these technological factors influence the way individuals navigate their online identities? Thank you for your time!

[HzSeaski]

Thank you for sharing your work! I’m wondering to what extent platforms should give users granular control over behavior visibility to ensure user autonomy and to avoid problematic self-presentation management, which potentially causes privacy breach or reinforced stereotypes about GBM population?

[xiaowei-v]

Thank you for your interesting work! I find the research into the self persistence really fascinating. However, considering the complexity of the identity of LGBTQ +, I wonder whether to some degree the visible behaviors are capable of fundamentally changing people's self-identity and how we can separate this influence from information (people change their labels due to being exposed to new information)

[erikaz1]

Thank you for sharing your insights, Prof. Birnholtz. I have several questions: What does “platform physics” look like exactly? How is it similar/different from “policing” and online moderation? And what might be the extent of ensuring that the “right attention” exists in the right thread or group (will this be a mechanism to protect minorities or could this also be applied elsewhere?)?

[Huiyu1999]

Thanks for sharing! The study focuses on Instagram as a medium for the online self-presentation of young gay and bisexual males. Given that individuals often use multiple social media platforms simultaneously, each with its unique set of affordances, how do young gay and bisexual males navigate their self-presentation across different platforms? Are there strategies or aspects of their identity that they choose to emphasize or conceal more on one platform compared to another?

[YutaoHeOVO]

Thanks for sharing your research. I have one question on some exogenous shocks in self-representation: many people will choose to erase their instagram profile from time to time. And between these shocks in information erasure, could such self-representation change?

[Brian-W00]

In the context of using Instagram for subtle self-presentation among young gay and bisexual males, how do these individuals navigate the risk of misinterpretation or misunderstanding when they rely on subtle cues and symbols to communicate their identity?

[MaxwelllzZ]

Thank you Prof.Birnholtz.
I have a question that intrigues me : In your research on self-presentation in digital environments, particularly for LGBTQ+ individuals, have you observed any patterns or trends in how these self-presentation strategies influence their social interactions and networking opportunities, both personally and professionally?

[Kevin2330]

Thanks for sharing!
My question is:
Can you discuss some of the coping mechanisms people use to manage their self-presentation online? What are some of the consequences—both positive and negative—that arise from these strategies?

[lim1an]

Thanks for sharing! Given the strategies adapt to emerging technological trends and affordances for LGBTQ+ groups, what should the platforms pay attention to when announcing new technologies or functions?

[hantaoxiao]

Thanks for sharing, Could you elaborate on the theoretical framework you and Michael Ann DeVito are developing? How does it account for the unique dynamics of self-presentation on various digital platforms?

[ZenthiaSong]

Thank you for sharing! What future research directions do you see as critical for further understanding the nuances of self-presentation in the evolving landscape of digital communication technologies?

[beilrz]

Thank you for sharing this amazing research. I am highly intrigued by the insights that have been uncovered regarding the role of temporality in shaping a temporal, persistent image and identity of GBM on Instagram. I wondered how the interaction pattern would differ on other platforms, where ephemeral is less of an option. Also, will Instagram users with more followers behave differently than users with fewer followers since people may have a better memory or archive about popular users on Instagram?

[aliceluo1]

Dear professor Birnholtz, I am wondering how do different digital platforms' design and affordances influence the strategies users employ to manage their self-presentation and the visibility of their identities?