Folk Devils and Moral Panics

In this week's reading, we were assigned to read Charles Krinsky's, Moral Panics over Contempory Children and Youth (2008). In this reading, Krinsky takes a look at Stanley Cohen's work on the subject of Moral Panics in the media. Cohen's work, (entitled Folk Devils and Moral Panics, 1972), gave an insight (or foundation if you like,) to the whole subject of Moral Panics. A Moral Panic is defined as, a reaction based on a false or exaggerated perception that some cultural behaviour or group is a threat. As a result of this, society then targets a social group or activity (for example, the swine flu pandemic or the London Riots 2011), as a threat to society.

Mods and Rockers

Back in the 1960's, a Moral Panic was not as drastic or threatening as they are nowadays. An example of this would be the idea that homosexual or bisexual relationships in the 1960's. It was seen as improper. Cohen then led into the idea of the teenagers of the time as a threat. This was known clearer by Cohen's example of 'Mod's and Rockers'. Cohen then touched upon a definition for those in society who defy the social norm and labelled these as 'Folk Devils'.

PANIC!!

From when Cohen's theory was originally written, there have been different types of Moral Panics, some al lot worse than those back when the the theory was written. A good example of this is the idea of Mods and Rockers, (who, at the time, where just a social group), verses the 2011 London Riots. Krinsky (2008), suggests that most outcasts had to define themselves due to mass media attacks; most aimed at the British Youth. This included, homosexuals and the homeless.

The idea that technology can cause
a lot of trouble.

Krinsky agrees with Cohen's theory of Moral Panics but then also touches on the idea that a Moral Panic is not just a group of unsocial teenagers, but also events or threats that could massively effect society. For example, The war in Afghanistan, Bird Flu, Swine Flu and even the London riots of 2011. However, the London riots of 2011 can be seen as quite contradictory as it was youths in which had provoked the riots. Through some evidence we can also say that the ideas of new technology has also become a moral panic as there are devices used in which provoke ideas and influence society, for example the Blackberry scandal.

A message sent via BBM during the
London Riots 2011

During the time of the London Riots, Blackberry messenger (BBM) was disabled throughout the country as youths were sending messages to attack specific areas of the country. This caused havoc for every user, including those who weren't involved in the riots. This was eventually seen as a bad idea as more rioters has joined the cause due to the fact that they were unable to use the function on the phone.


In conclusion, a Moral Panic can be caused by a number of reasons, whether it is due to a specific social group being aimed and harassed until they are pushed to the limit, (London Riots 2011), or whether it is something that can effect the whole of the nation (e.g. swine flu). 

Moral Panic??

Nothing to worry about guys...

Networks

This week's reading was from the text book entitled Web Theory: An Introduction written by Burnett and Marshall 2003. We were asked to read one chapter, entitled: 'Information and Networks'. I found this reading to be something out of the obvious, that is of course when you understood the term 'Network'. The definition of network has 2 key terms within it, 'connecting' and 'operating'. A network allows users to 'operate' and also 'connect' to it. This allows us to come to grasps with the general forms of networks. Another idea of networks is the idea that people can connect with each other (through social networking sites), and are able to function, 'operate' in a specific manner.

Idea of Cyberspace being secure.

In the reading, Burnett and Marshall link to another theorist on the idea of networking. William Gibson wrote the intricacies of 'Neuromancer' (1984) and suggested the idea of cyberspace and how it has been morphed from that one meaning into countless of others. For example, 'cyberworld' and 'cyberculture'. From this we can ask ourselves what the meaning of 'cyber' is, as the prefix can be added to many words. Gibson defines 'cyber' as the culture of computers, information technology and also virtual reality. In terms Gibson relates to, 'The Cyber Age'. Due to the inventions of new technology, the cyber age has developed and grown into a major aspect of todays culture.

Burnett and Marshall also look at the history of the word 'cyber' and come to a riviting conclusion that the word 'cyber' derives from the Greek word meaning 'to steer'. This idea suggests that due to the invention of new technologies (and also the age of the internet), as consumers, we are able to choose, (or even 'to steer') ways of receiving information and media content. The idea of networking fits in with this as consumers are able to connect to different media content and in some cases can operate it.