Access Magazine Spring 2024 Issue 02

ACCESS ISSUE 0 2 P R I N G 2 0 2 4

Be so for Real Projections of a Girl Cinematic Crystal Ball

Letter From The Editor When I first joined Access, I was the social media manager. I had to keep up with the trends in order to serve our audience and build our engagement. Trends change so quickly that there is no form of longevity when new forms of technology are introduced. Everything is constantly developing into something new.

While scavenging through the Access archive, I found a couple magazines that tackled the topic of new technology and it is insane to see how much it has evolved. With just a few keywords, I could easily have this letter written with ChatGPT, but I won’t.

Subjects like Miku, a vocal android voiced by a synthesizer, and “iPad kids” are conversations that captured my attention during our meetings for Access. How could an anime style android have such a huge fan base? What will become of “iPad kids” in the next 10 years? Our staff had incredible ideas and it felt like we could sit there and talk for hours.

My idea for this magazine was to emphasize the nuances in technology. How do you feel about Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Is it a win for society or our awaiting doom?

What I hope for readers to take from this magazine is to be aware of the massive changes happening within our society as technology continues to advance.

The students and faculty on campus talked to us about their perception of AI and I was very intrigued by how different everyone’s answers were depending on their line of study. Engineering students may admire AI, but art students seem against it. How helpful can AI be?

I hope that our readers enjoy these articles as much as I did, and I would love to thank my staff for creating another kick-ass magazine. I couldn’t have done this without them.

Whether you are reading this from a physical copy or your portable device, let’s prepare ourselves for the next era of the digital age.

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Photo: Analyn Do

Sincerely, Executive Editor Tracy Escobedo @trayesi

Table Of

Contents BE SO FOR REAL

4

PROJECTIONS OF A GIRL

20

AI MENTAL HEALTH APPS

6

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN VOICE ACTING

22

CINEMATIC CRYSTAL BALL

10

EMPLOY3D BY A BOT?

24

FROM HOOKED ON PHONICS TO HOOKED ON PHONES

12

26

BR3AK1NG BARR13RS

16

THE RISING LACK OF ATTENTION SPAN LIFEOFBARRON:CULTTV THE MOVIE

DISCONNECTING TO CONNECT

18

AI IN OUR INDUSTRIES

30

SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BECOME HELL

32

Front cover photo of Maya Benmokhtar

28

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BE SO FOR REAL slaying the hottest online slang

Loren Ball Social Media Manager @lorenball_ The use of modern text-based slang has left older generations confused as young adults effortlessly incorporate it into their everyday talk. It has spiked over recent years as social media platforms such as TikTok have persuaded their users to create their own slang.

Some examples of internet slang in the past year are abbreviations such as “BFR” which stands for “be for real.” Other examples are phrases such as “rizz,” “it’s giving,” and “soft launch,” stated by the blog Preply.

“Rizz (the derivative of charisma) was Oxford Dictionary’s word of the year in 2023. “Some of my favorite phrases are ‘let them cook’ and ‘no crumbs were left’ which refer to presenting and rebutting arguments rather than making and eating food,” San José State University (SJSU) English lecturer Chelsea Criez said. “As much as I love these phrases, you’ll find that most of the popular slang originates and is appropriated from African American Vernacular English (AAVE), and TikTok has only made it easier for other groups to appropriate the language and dialects of Black communities.”

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According to Uwineza Mugabe, a writer at The Queen’s Journal, AAVE is an acronym for African American Vernacular English, once known as Ebonics. Mugabe states that the rebranding of AAVE to Gen-Z slang is another reminder of the era surely faced by many aspects of Black culture.

It becomes very easy to incorporate slang and memes in everyday language when it has become a trend on and off social media platforms. “A popular platform such as TikTok, you go to the comment section and see people start using [slang] based on some inspiration from the video or referencing something,” art studio practice sophomore Emma Acedillo said. “It just becomes slang on its own. I adapt really easily to it because I want to use new slang. It seems cool and different.”

Acedillo finds it easy to adapt to current slang and often uses the word “cringe.” Cringe can be defined as someone acting and presenting themselves as embarrassing or awkward. It can also be used towards oneself as both a style of comedy and a form of social conformity.

The need to adapt to social conformity sets pressure on other generations such as Millenials. “I will say that I adapt to it [slang] in a sense that I am a little older,” behavioral science senior, Lourdes Valle said. “I am 37 years old and at San José State University trying to blend [in] and go along with this new generation of students. I feel like I do have to use the words especially with my sisters.”

word bank

Graphics: Adobe Stock

A lot of students are not aware of her age so when she uses slang, it gives her a chance to fit in more at school. Another term Valle recently learned is “ION.” This term has more than one meaning.

According to Dictionary.com it stands for “in other news,” while the Keyhole Social Media Glossary defines it as “I don’t.” The meaning of a phrase can change like a game of telephone.

Although Gen-Z slang can be challenging to adapt to because of its constant changes and novelty, Valle still views it in a positive light. “I’ll still choose to embrace it and understand that this is just what it is,” Valle said.“ Hopefully, it’ll help me engage a little bit more,”

”

I’ll still choose to embrace it and understand that this is just what it is.

“

The Oxford Dictionary defines code-switching as the practice of lm ao alternating between two or more languages or varieties of language in conversation. This comes into effect when professionalism meets slang. However, students still maintain their professional etiquette and keep slang for friendly conversations.

“I mainly focus on making things professional or aesthetically pleasing when it comes to assignments,” Acedillo said.

Despite the rising use of slang in day-to-day life, San José State University English lecturer Ph.D. Rebecca Kling does not see future students becoming unprofessional in their emails and assignments. “You want to make sure that [students] know what to do. That’s not typically the way to interact with professors or in a professional setting. I might in the future include classroom etiquette and about emails as well.”

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Jennifer Yin Staff Writer @misslovetohaight Walking into the bathroom stall of Yoshihiro Uchida Hall building on San José State University’s (SJSU) campus, a flier reads, “Feeling Stressed? Meet Sonia, your artificial intelligence (AI) mental health therapist,” with a QR code for a quick download. Once downloaded, students are greeted with a blue ring with Sonia asking them, “How are you feeling at this moment?” Sonia then directs users to utilize its voice command option where they can physically communicatewithherabouttheircurrentmentalstateduringa 15 or 30-minute therapy session.

On Jan. 22, California State University management agreed on a California Faculty Association Tentative Agreement that the institution will move towards a 1,5001 student-to-counselor ratio. Currently, the institution has about 36,000 students enrolled.

“Counselors can only handle so many obstacles before they get jaded and burnout from the workload,” marketing senior Victor Lam said. “It makes mental health less approachable to students and there have been times where I couldn’t find those resources here at a state institution when I could at my community college.”

Nick Manzek, account executive at Elomia Health, an AI therapy chatbot, said how he recently spoke with college students and discovered that many felt uncomfortable visiting on campus counselors because they do not want them to know what they are mentally going through.

“It is going to be hard for one on-site therapist to work with the thousands of students enrolled into SJSU,” Manzek said. “There is a percentage that is actually willing to see a therapist but there is probably an even larger percentage

that is going through challenges, they don’t want to go inperson, or even speak up but they’re potentially willing to download the app and talk to Elomia.”

Elomia serves as a temporary therapist that utilizes AI technology and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to assist its users in reducing stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms. As reported by the American Psychology Association, CBT treatments involve a psychologist and patient to work in a collaborative method to, “develop an understanding of the problem and to develop a treatment strategy” including unlearning patterns of unhelpful behaviors, coping with psychological problems and using problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations.

According to a four week-controlled study conducted

by Elomia on March 1, 2023, involving 412 volunteers with ages ranging from 19 to 23 years old saw a decrease

Counselors can only handle so many obstacles before they get jaded and burnout from the workload.

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”

average of 28% in depressive tendencies, 31% in anxiety tendencies and 15% in tendency in experiencing negative emotional states after using the app. In addition, 98% of users outside of the study rated Elomia as helpful and 85% said their mood improved.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that AI can benefit people’s mental health and describes it as a “novel tool in the planning of mental health services, as well as in identifying and monitoring mental health problems in individuals and populations.” However, they do believe that AI has its challenges.

According to WHO, “AI technologies – including large language models – are being rapidly deployed, sometimes without a full understanding of how they may perform, which could either benefit or harm endusers, including healthcare professionals and patients.

When using health data, AI systems could have access to sensitive personal information, necessitating robust legal and regulatory frameworks for safeguarding privacy,

Graphics: Canva

”

It makes mental health less approachable to students.

“

security, and integrity, which this publication aims to help set up and maintain.”

There are parameters for patient confidentiality when using AI as a form of therapy. Elomia displays a disclaimer for users noting that their data is protected following the General Data Protection Regulation security standards and that they do not sell or share data with third parties. However, Elomia stated how portions of a user’s chat history can be anonymously used for additional AI training.

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These apps do not claim responsibility for what they do to children’s attention spans. It has their brain craving new content, they cannot focus and makes them crave novelty.

on their devices to help Elomia enhance her model and improve performance. “No data on our servers connects to a specific individual or conversations they’re having and if we do make an anonymous pull then it is to rate a dialogue on how helpful it is, correct messages and use it to train her further,” he said.

Currently, HR 7520, is the only U.S. bill that prohibits data brokers from selling “American’s personally identifiable information.” However, this bill is only applicable to foreign countries such as China, Russia, North Korea and Iran.

Another limitation of AI therapy apps is that they are incapable of diagnosing patients as they lack the necessary licensing to do so. While these apps can simulate the behavior of a therapist, they are not authorized to offer services that require professional licensure, such as psychotherapy.

“If I’m a student and I’m asking Alexa for recommendations on mental health then could AI help?

It could but there are so many variables such as Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act restrictions and Amazon’s constant listening to people, that’s a challenge,” lecturer of mass communications Michael Brito said. “If I say to Alexa that I want to hurt myself then is AI responsible for calling 911? It’s such a gray area and there needs to be things in place that protect users. We should be worried

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IS T

R

VI

RTU

AP

YO U

about AI diagnosing or miscalculating because it can get ugly.”

Brito said that AI therapy apps can serve as a “bridge in technology,” where apps can connect users with licensed healthcare professionals.

“I remember when the pandemic happened, everyone was at home and people had Zoom checkups with their doctors,” Brito said. “Telehealth blew up after that and now there are apps where you pay a fee and you have access to a therapist. In that case, the bridge is technology to connect people with doctors and AI is helping.”

Manzek said that Elomia is currently ill-equipped to replace in-person therapy but rather the app serves as an outlet, avenue and tool that users can utilize if they do not feel comfortable seeking other forms of mental health services.

However, Lam who works as a youth coach said that he has noticed how children are becoming dependent and forming intense attachments to technology.

“These apps do not claim responsibility for what they do to children’s attention spans. It has their brain craving new content, they cannot focus and makes them crave novelty,” Lam said. “ So designing them to be so accessible has a consequence of being too accessible and essentially may replace actual conversations. Whatever their issues are, they can speak it into a room and this could lead to escapism.”

E AL TH

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Graphics: Maya Pettiford and Jillian Darnell

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Photos: Adobe Stock

Taylor Shepherd Staff Writer @taylor.shepherd

An Artificial Intelligence (AI) generated prediction for the outcome of films has emerged, bringing a new look to storytelling. Will this be the evolution of entertainment?

Victor Martinez was the lead researcher in a University of Southern California study that created the Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning model, used to analyze and predict movie ratings. Other USC researchers included Krishna Somandepalli, Shrikanth Narayanan and Yaldi Uhis at UCLA. They did this by creating a deep learning on the language data in a movie script that was trained using over 980 movie scripts.

Deciding whether a movie will be successful or not is through previously gathered data and the model inputting a sequence of character representations and producing content rating predictions.

This AI tool can be used to suggest dialogue, character arcs and storylines in the development of films.

The first big utilization of AI for movies was in the 2022 film Everything Everywhere All at Once where AI was used to edit the film quickly. The rock scene in this film was created by AI to get a clean cut of the rocks as sand and dust were moving throughout the shot. This allowed days of work to be completed in minutes. The film went on to win seven Oscars.

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AI being used to predict movie ratings can lead directors in a direction where films gain praise, attention and provide feedback on whether it will be successful or not.

Juan Topete, a Bay Area filmmaker, said that Hollywood had been suffering before AI. “Over the past seven decades, there has been a consistent decline in movie theater attendance,” Topete said.

“To offset the resulting revenue loss, major Hollywood studios had been vigorously seeking innovative solutions which led to concepts like 3D, Cinerama and Smell-O-Vision.”

Cinerama is a process in which three synchronized movie projectors each project one-third of the picture on a wide, curving screen. Smell-O-Vision is a system that releases specific odors during the projection of a

film. This allowed viewers to smell what they saw in the film.

Andrew Azucena, an Academy of Art University San Francisco alum with a degree in music scoring and composition, has seen the outcome of AI in the film industry.

“AI has been used in multiple ways such as to potentially benefit the studio or movie itself,” Azucena said. “This includes gathering mass amounts of information quickly, de-aging actors for a movie, and so on.”

Topete said how significant AI is in its data-driven approach. This approach ensures a more precise judgment of potential success for a movie before investment.

“Utilizing AI to forecast movie outcomes and viewer ratings would represent a continuation of this strategic approach, and offers the potential for more accurate decision making by analyzing financial statistics and viewership ratings of similar past movies,” Topete said.

Radio, television and film lecturer, Zaki Hasan, said how beneficial AI can be for the entertainment industry. The media and entertainment industry has benefited from the efficiency AI has brought according to a LeewayHertz article.

“It is efficient and easier to have a computer spit

out a spreadsheet mapping out people’s entertainment preferences,” Hasan said.

Aside from the positive outcomes, this approach can take away from the creativity aspect and possibly even the loss of jobs in the long run. Results can be unpredictable or biased and can lead to unintended themes, stereotypes or messages in the final product.

Azucena said that he has seen the impact of viewership and ratings when AI is used during the creative process. It is used to predict how well a movie will do but is not always accurate.

“Like any other new technology, it needs to be handled with a mindful approach as it has not yet matured and cannot totally be trusted,” film and theater arts professor Amy Glazer said.

Not everyone supports AI or the way it is used.

“While it may not impact viewership a lot, the movie will most likely receive backlash and there are those who decide not to watch,” Azucena said.

Glazer said she can often tell when something has been written in AI, “It lacks voice and point of view and does not have the individuality that only a human can provide.”

Topete said that taking risks on original ideas will be a drawback of this model. Some films may never be ready for production.

“Films that do not guarantee a significant financial return may frequently be dismissed and never greenlit for production,” Topete said. “Now more than ever, there seems to be a growing hunger among audiences for original artistic expressions, as evidenced by the surge in popularity of A24 and long-form original television series.”

A24 is an independent production company known for making horror-driven movies.

Hasan said that studios think they are bringing great savings for themselves, but instead are undervaluing real contributions of human beings. Advanced writing and fact-checking without the need for human labor, are just a few of the advancements AI can offer for the future of data-driven predictions.

“They will try to find newer, more efficient ways of incorporating it into the creative process,” Hasan said. “The limitations as they exist now are unlikely to change anytime soon in the future.”

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FROM HOOKED ON PHONICS TO HOOKED ON PHONES: HOW SCREENS ARE SHAPING YOUNG STUDENTS Sophia Sipe Staff Writer @sophiasipe Graphics: Cia Castro and Adobe Stock

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Children with screen dependencies — or iPad kids, as they’ve been called on TikTok — are the taxing brunt end of jokes surrounding Gen Alpha.

Moms are dealing with their Roblox obsession.

Educators are dealing with their deficiencies.

Once perceived as technologically advanced, the next class of middle and high school students is moving toward an academic danger zone. One devoid of fulfilled book orders and scholastic fair magic.

It’s been coined the “COVID-19 gap” — students between the third and eighth grades who had their schooling interrupted by the pandemic.

Thanks to shelter-in-place orders, students nationwide struggled to adjust to an altered online edu“To recognize the significant social and emocation system. As a result, learning loss is a seiz- tional damage done during the COVID-19 shuting warning sign, alluding to future ramifications. down and the ensuing focus on learning loss.”

Those students’ tanking literacy rates Learning is a social act, Ervin-Kassab said. Those since 2020 are reversing decades of acacollaborations and conversations in classrooms help demic progress. A report by NPR shows their scores are on par with the 1970s. students process the information they’re taking in.

That connection is what was lost as students While online learning struggles amid the pandemic played a large role in widening the learn- transitioned from dodgeball at recess with other ing gap, new research suggests technology may children to doom-scrolling breaks on TikTok alone be an underlying contributor. Combining the ef- in their rooms. Social incentives such as desk budfects of excessive screen use and learning loss, dies and teacher high fives went away with popresearchers fear long-term consequences that in- corn reading as students easily disconnected by clude poor mental health and behavioral issues. turning their cameras off on Google Classroom.

Lara Ervin-Kassab, an associate profesThe natural next step: kids simsor of teacher education at San José State, rep- ply stopped showing up to class. resents a country-wide uneasiness towards the learning landscape. Raised by a matriarchal lineage of teachers, the third-generation educator forecasts the issues looming.

“I think it is critical for everyone invested in education,” Ervin-Kassab said.

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Per data from The White House, absenteeism nearly doubled in percentage during the height of COVID-19 when education abruptly shifted to an online system.

While researchers can’t definitively pinpo “We learn through making errors,” Ervin-Kassab said, “and without socially and emotionally safe environments, students are less likely to take those risks. This would lead to a culture of compliance and completion of assignments over actual learning. … I can comply and complete an assignment, but not retain the information or procedure.”

Spurred by hours of over-the-screen lectures with scarce social interaction, students eagerly supplemented, if not ditched, Zoom classes with dopamine-rich web content.

According to Kaiser Permanente’s Division of Research, screen time (excluding remote schooling) increased from 4.4 to 6.6 hours a day in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

While researchers can’t definitively pinpoint which factors are directly responsible for the rise of screen usage, most acknowledge that even a kid-friendly tablet is a double-edged sword.

In a 2019 article by JAMA Pediatrics, increased screen time across 480,000 students was linked to poor academic performance in both reading and math. The report also revealed findings that increased weekly screen time among toddlers produced weakened behavioral, social and cognitive development over time.

“Excessive screen time, particularly passive media consumption, has been associated with delays in language development, poorer executive functioning skills (such as working memory, self-control and cognitive flexibility) and decreased attention spans in children,” said ​​Jila Malek-Salehi, adjunct lecturer at SJSU’s School of Education.

All of these deficits may impact academic performance, relationships and overall well-being, Malek-Salehi said.

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“If caregivers have children who are struggling in school, use the philosophy of connection over correction,” Malek-Salehi said.

“Think about why the behavior is happening rather than focusing or labeling that it’s the child’s personality.”

Excessive exposure to screens may also worsen stress and anxiety, and can kick-start sleep issues, according to a 2022 National Library of Medicine study. Of course, poor sleep patterns increase the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Of course, poor sleep patterns increase the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. And that’s in addition to the worsening eyesight — what optometrists call “computer vision syndrome” — from retinas being slowly damaged by blue light LED emitting from late-night YouTube binges.

Educators argue that, despite the potential damage it causes, technology propels students when used the right way.

Yielding total accessibility at the fingertips allows users to consume information swiftly.

Platforms such as Microsoft Teams make collaboration effortless to meet the digitally hybrid demands of a post-COVID society. Technology has made a massive world intrinsically smaller for modern generations. Many have never so much as heard of an encyclopedia and never owned a library card but can learn about Chinese culture, watch Premier League soccer and visit the Great Pyramids at Giza (virtually).

Ervin-Kassab argues that while technology can negatively impact students, it can be beneficial when used appropriately. It can be used as a comprehensive aid for people with disabilities and pushes the boundaries as students explore creativity. Skills that formerly required specialized training — such as film editing, photography and music production — are now basic tools for young people.

“Like most things, there are pros and cons to technology exposure, it just depends on balance and boundaries, but in an educational setting, technology can serve as a resource and tool to students,” child and adolescent development senior Kiley Hall said. “Technology should enhance and facilitate education, not be the singular form of learning.”

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Photo: Inside Edition Photo: TECHEBLOG

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BR3AK1NG BARR13RS Elizabeth Bravo Rebolloso Staff Writer @lizzethy Artificial Intelligence has the power to make the world more accessible, but hinders more than benefits. The technological world today has made it possible for AI to revolutionize language learning and accessibility.

American Sign Language (ASL) plays a vital role in promoting communication, inclusion and equality for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as enriching the diversity of human language and expression.

Navigating life with total hearing loss or hard of hearing is difficult because of the communication barriers. In the “hearing world,” as people with hearing loss say, people with hearing disabilities must adapt to inaccessibility by asking for resources to become available.

According to the National Deaf Center of Post-Secondary Outcomes, statistics show that in the United States, roughly 3.6% of the population has total loss of hearing or is hard of hearing. In general, an estimated 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss, which calls for more fair communication access.

People who have total hearing loss or are hard of hearing primarily communicate using ASL. Still, the world has yet to become equitable in all aspects of

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civic life to facilitate a smooth transition in the public.

In today’s world, inventions have been developed to assist in facilitating communication, AI has attempted to transform communication tools. There is now technology such as sign language recognition and real-time speech to text for individuals who have hearing loss.

Even with all its advances, AI is mainly adapted for hearing users. A 2024 article by the CompTIA Community, an organization that focuses on technology in the global economy, shows that 97% of AI usage was created by individuals who don’t have hearing loss.

In 2016, University of Washington alumni Navid Azodi and Thomas Pryor created gloves that translate sign language into text or speech called “SignAloud.”

As described in an article published by University of Washington, “They are a pair of gloves that recognize hand gestures that correspond to words and phrases in ASL. Each glove contains sensors that record hand position and movement and send data wirelessly via Bluetooth to a central computer.”

The computer receives information and analyzes to a neural network. It then creates the word or phrase and speaks it aloud through a microphone.

While this may be a potential solution for people

who have hearing loss, there have been no updates on the gloves or whether they are available for public use since 2021.

Another invention is an AI-powered pair of sunglasses called XRAI, which can transcribe speech in real time. The device is paired and controlled with a smartphone application, similar to managing earbuds.

“Imagine Alexa for your eyes,” Mitchell Feldman, Co-Founder of XRAI said in an interview for the World Economic Forum. “But the difference is that the information it’s retrieving and the questions that you’re asking of the data are your conversations.

The glasses have multiple functions such as rewinding conversations one has previously had, this gives individuals the ability to look back at what was said in case they forget.”

“Do I think XRAI is beneficial for the deaf and (hard-of-hearing) community? Yes, it can improve accessibility,” teacher at the California School for the

“Artificial Intelligence has the power to make the world more accessible, but hinders more than benefits. “

Photo: XRAI

]

Deaf in Fremont Rosalyn Ramos-Barry said.

AI-powered speech and sign language recognition would allow deaf individuals to communicate effectively with those who might not know the language. Still, the efficiency of this invention has yet to promise a permanent solution.

“The deaf community in general would feel that AI is a lazy approach to connecting with us,” lecturer at San José State’s Special Education Department Everett Smith said. “The XRAI glasses are cool but we need to feel a level of connection, see expressions, and know the tone of voice from people, an AI-powered machine will not do that. They are a one-way tool.”

Smith said he has never physically experienced the glasses, but he is aware of the invention.

Rather than finding ways to make it ‘easier’ for others to interact with people who have hearing loss.

“Why not use AI to help those people learn ASL better or faster?” Smith said.

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DISCONNECTING TO

CONNECT

Amaya Reynolds Staff Writer @amayareynoldss

In a digital landscape where social media reigns supreme, a new breed of celebrity is emerging: Artificial Intelligence (AI) meta-influencers. These virtual personas, powered by AI, are captivating audiences worldwide with their flawless appearance, charismatic personalities and ability to engage with fans on a deeply personal level.

As society increasingly relies on technology and social media platforms, these AI meta-influencers are redefining what it means to be a celebrity in the digital age. They challenge traditional notions of fame and influence with millions of followers and lucrative brand partnerships.

Lil Miquela, the world’s first global virtual influencer, appeared on social media in 2016. The U.S.-based tech company startup Brud did not create Lil Miquela in 2016. The company reprogrammed her, believing she deserved a better life, according to Virtual Humans, a blogger site that discusses the likeliness of robot influencers.

“Lil Miquela is a musician, a change seeker and a style visionary,” Virtual Insider said. She first belonged to the corporation Cain Intelligence and Brud.

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Influencers create a humanized twoway communication relationship between consumers and products.

Living in a trust-deficit society, people make purchasing decisions based on what other people recommend according to “New Kings: The Power of Online Influencers”, a documentary about online

influencers and how their connection with consumers plays a big role in how influencing works.

Brands leverage influencers to sway consumer decisions positively, ensuring the answer to the question “Should I buy this?” is a resounding “Yes.” META, the convergence of the physical and digital worlds, holds immense promise for the future of virtual influencers. The line between reality and virtuality blurs as technology advances, offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation and creativity in the realm of influencer marketing.

According to industry experts, META represents a seismic shift in how brands engage with audiences, leveraging immersive experiences to forge deeper connections.

“META is about transcending traditional boundaries and creating experiences that resonate on a visceral level,” CEO of Virtual Ventures Max Loubser said.

People believe that the movie iRobot starring Will Smith determines whether AI or robots are detrimental to the human race.

Rachel Adzaho, a business accounting senior at San José State University said that the lack of authenticity leaves students feeling like they are just a number, given the AI/robot influencer “connection.”

“Virtual or robot influencers can have an impact on student behavior or decision-making,” electrical and electronics engineering junior Umama Oishi said. “Their influence hinges on the narrative they are programmed to convey. Students might be drawn to the futuristic appeal of virtual influencers and could be influenced by their endorsements [because of] the curiosity and novelty associated with AI.” Twenty years ago, nobody would have thought that technology could evolve to what it is now.

“The use of AI influencers is still in its infancy,” founder and CEO of RPPR Communications LLC Rashad Pittman said. “AI is still in the works, with a few tweaks needed here and there. That being said, I think there are limitless possibilities f or the use of AI influencers in marketing, particularly with pitching products.”

AI and robots could potentially go wrong when influencing the general public and be bad for business because AI is not always credible. Pittman said that he would be hesitant to incorporate them into his company or client endorsements, as it may cause many questions about the validity of those claims and endorsements.

AI/Robo Influencers have their pros and cons, but the progression can’t be stopped as of now. AI has hit the ground running and who knows what will come next involving AI and robot influencers.

Public relations senior Cymphony McIntyre Photo: Jesus Sanchez

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EXAMINING THE RISE OF VIRTUAL IDOLS Saturn Williams Staff Writer @saturn.sjsu A sect of Coachella’s festival goers will gather at one of the eight stages this year, not for one of the almost 200 flesh-and-blood human artists, but for a hologram of a girl that doesn’t exist.

The act was slated to make its Coachella debut in 2020. After the COVID-19 pandemic halted the music festival, this digital diva aims to take the Coachella stage for the first time as she headlines her sold-out and eponymously-named North American arena tour: Hatsune Miku Expo 2024.

Hatsune Miku is a synthesizer software developed by Yamaha along with Crypton Future Media in 2007 for their patented Vocaloid technology. The term “Vocaloid” is short for “vocal android” according to Yamaha.

The mascot –a 5 foot girl with twin blue ponytails in a futuristic school uniform– has become a virtual Japanese pop idol with fans all around the world.

She sings using a sampled voice bank mimicking human speech while her projected 3D model dances across a specially coated plane of glass at concerts.

“She represents a different side to electronic music, a different and unique way artists can express themselves,” music education freshman Hannah Ettinger said. Initially drawn to the mascots’ anime style depictions, she said that she remains more interested in the style than the scene.

To Ettinger, the future of virtual

music artists is a bright one. She said that the rise of VTubers (virtual internet personalities) is familiarizing people with the idea of interacting with fictional characters as real people.

Grace Downs, a self-proclaimed otaku (person with extensive knowledge and interest in Japanese media), is in deep with the Vocaloid community.

The fictional characters as musical artists were a gateway into the wider idol culture that defines Downs’ online presence today.

“I was pretty young, and it was the time period where that kind of stuff would show up in YouTube recommendations, and you would be like, ‘Okay, what is this,’ and you dig into it a little bit and fall into a rabbit hole,” Downs said.

After a decade of immersion in the culture,

“

20 | ACCESS MAGAZINE | Spring 2024

”

Miku is the people’s pop star.

Downs has even created a custom voice bank for her character Tomiyo with UTAU, a similar program to Vocaloid but with less restrictive software sharing between creators and producers.

A unique aspect of Vocaloid idols is the fact that they aren’t a single entity that puts out songs under an exclusive label. The Vocaloid, also known as vocal synth, can sing songs of the user’s choice if they have access to the software.

Artists like PINOCCHIO P, Wotaku and Supercell use Miku as their vocalist. When a Vocaloid concert like Miku Expo happens, the idols perform these independent works.

“Miku is the people’s pop star,” Downs said.

“We made her popular because we wanted to write a bunch of songs for her.”

According to this cohort of Vocaloid fans, Miku has opened the doors for newer virtual acts as much as she and the Vocaloid community remain distinct from them.

“Mostly the appeal is [that] it’s almost a parody of idol stuff,” design studies senior Michael Dhont said.

Meanwhile, more traditional idols are also adopting virtual avatars, or vice-versa.

K/DA, a virtual K-pop girl group derived from League of Legends characters, has gone international with multiple performances at the League of Legends World Championships and over 500 million views on the music video for their song POP/ STARS. The virtual K-pop boy band Plave won the New Wave Star award at the Seoul Music Awards this January. These idols are different from the likes of Miku in that they have live singing, operate as a single entity with a company behind them and are much more strict with their intellectual property.

“It really only has a proper shelf life in the form of more collaborative and more open projects like Miku,” Dhont said. “I feel like the idol groups that are under lock and key are probably going to be a lot more short-lived than Miku.”

This skepticism about the lifespan and genuineness of more widely marketed virtual idols in contrast to Vocaloid’s tightknit community was repeated by Downs as well.

“The way that Miku does it is a way to do it without being disingenuous because it’s still a bunch of individual artists putting their heart into what this is,” Downs said.

What is the future of virtual idols in today’s music industry? If one were to ask Hatsune Miku herself, she may respond the same way she did to multiple questions in PINOCCHIO P’s interview and music video Anonymous M. “I’m just a music software pretending to be human,” Miku said.

”

I’m just a music software pretending to be human.

Illustrations: Melody Chiu Artwork of Hatsune Miku

Spring 2024 | ACCESS MAGAZINE | 21

VOICE ACTORS TAKE A STAND AGAINST AI Marie Antoinette Aquino Copy Editor @oneandonlymarl

AI IN VA AI IN VA

“It’s a pretty scary proposition and I know that because of the strike, there were some guidelines and safeguards that came with the contract that they agreed on,” Born and raised San José voice actor Michael Gough, known for his roles on Batman: Arkham Origins and Diablo video games, said. “But I’m still nervous about it because it’s going to be hard to regulate.”

On Jan. 9, the Screen Actors Guild-American The battle between voice actors and artificial Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAGintelligence (AI) continues day by day, but it does AFTRA) announced a deal with Replica Studios, not stop the actors from fighting back. an AI voice technology company, to license Voice acting in the United States has been an actors’ voices for AAA video game studios and art form since the 1900s. Voice actors performed other companies working with Replica. for various animations, commercials, narration With an actor’s consent, it will create a digital and other forms of media. However, the use of AI replica of their voices for game development might uproot voice actors from their work. and other interactive media. The actors will have According to the Nashville Film Institute, fair compensation and their voices will not be voice acting is the art of portraying a character, used without their permission. This agreement mimicking voices and bringing life to the screen. allows voice actors to safely explore new job The actors are not shown on screen, rather only opportunities for voice replicas with industrytheir voices or the characters they are playing are leading protections against AI technology. presented.

SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher stated AI’s popularity has become a concern for voice on its website that this is the “best protection actors according to a Wired article. Problems against unauthorized digital simulation,” and is an like stealing and using their voices without their example of “AI being done right.” consent are on the rise.

Unauthorized use of a voice actor’s voice has

”

It’s kind of like the difference between a digital plug in of an instrument and the actual instrument played live.

22 | ACCESS MAGAZINE | Spring 2024

been prevalent across the internet. Voice actor Erica Lindbeck was driven off the internet in 2023 after calling out an AI video that used her voice to sing a Bo Burnham song.

Prior to this deal, SAG-AFTRA and the Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) had reached an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. A 118-day strike took place last year, with actors taking a stand against film and television studios in Hollywood. This agreement included protection against AI and better payment compensation.

“You would think that what you would get out of a real person is going to be somehow different than it is from something that’s artificial,” Gough said. “It’s kind of like the difference between a digital plug in of an instrument and the actual instrument played live.”

The initial reactions to the news were negative, with fans feeling betrayed.

“The conversation of ethical generative AI cannot be had without first establishing legal regulation in its current state,” X (formerly known as Twitter) user radiantNickangr wrote. “I get people are trying to argue that SAG-AFTRA partnered with these companies for an ‘ethical’ approach but it’s a deal made in terrible faith and taste.”

The quotes on SAG-AFTRA’s X post are filled with negative comments from both voice actors and fans alike.

“The notion that this deal with Replica is about ‘ethical use of generative AI’ almost feels like an oxymoron because there is no ethical use of generative AI, especially not in the world of voice over,” San José voice actor Kamran Nikhad, known for his roles on video games Cookie Run: Kingdom and V Rising, said.

While Nikhad understands why SAG-AFTRA went through with the deal, he still argues against these AI companies.

“From a pragmatic perspective, I can understand the need to make the most of the cards that you’re dealt, instead of lamenting the cards you wish you had,” Nikhad said.

“However, I would

argue that if pushback is strong enough, then the studios that want to use generative AI would save face and not push so hard in this very detrimental direction.”

The National Association for Voice Actors (NAVA) aims to protect voice actors against AI advancements. Voice actor and current president, Tim Friedlander, founded NAVA in 2022 to advocate for the voice over industry.

“We’ve always said that we’re not anti-AI, we’re not antinew technology or emerging technology,” Friedlander said.

“But we’re pro-artist and provoice actor and we want to make sure we can continue to have this industry survive throughout the years.”

Friedlander said that he hopes that NAVA will be able to lessen the damage of AI,making sure that it supports voice actors, rather than replace them.

NAVA has met with over 17 Senate and representatives to make sure voice actor’s talents are not overlooked and undervalued.

NAVA has an AI Rider to provide extra protection to their performance, which voice actors like Nikhad approve of. This addendum addresses the concerns that voice actors may have regarding AI and synthetic voices, in the event that the original contract does not address AI.

Photos: Jesus Sanchez

Spring 2024 | ACCESS MAGAZINE | 23

EMPL0Y3D

Unathi Zibi Lebbie Staff Writer

BY A B0T? ]

A d ive into the future of hiring with artificial intelligence (AI) at the helm, as we unravel how technology is revolutionizing recruitment in the digital era.

One of the reasons why recruitment agencies are using AI is because it helps human resource departments like Hilton, Unilever and Amazon. It uses time efficiently by preparing new candidates for employers.

Recruitment Through AI in Selected Indian Companies is a January 2022 study conducted by Sage Journals. The study showed that it took roughly 23 hours for a recruiter to screen and shortlist candidates for a single hire without the use of AI. AI aligns the data of candidates by their knowledge, skills and experience and matches them to the position. This allows the recruiter to pay more attention to the one-on-one interactions with the candidate according to Sage Journals .

Tidio, a company that converts more leads, provides stellar support and boosts users revenue is changing the game in AI-driven customer service solutions.

“Nearly 67% of HR professionals believe that AI has many benefits and a positive impact on the recruitment process, about 79% of recruiters believe that artificial intelligence will soon be advanced enough to make the hiring and firing decisions,” as stated on its website.

San José State University career counselor Judith

Photo: Adobe Stock

24 | ACCESS MAGAZINE | Spring 2024

Garcia said that AI is a useful tool for companies recruiting candidates. She believes that it can be used to ensure that the spelling and grammar are correct on the resume, but it should not be used to manipulate resumes.

“Claiming to have a skill, knowledge, or experience that a candidate does not have just to ensure that AI moves a resume forward to the next hiring process should not happen,” Garcia said.

“They hope that students write their cover letters and resumes authentically.”

As much as the career center supports the work that AI is doing to support recruiters, Judith said that the organization encourages students to network because the job market is extremely competitive as companies are laying off.

SJSU Career Center encourages students to work on their LinkedIn profiles, reach out to professionals, recruiters and SJSU alumni.

Accounting senior Lexi Hurst said that her professors paved the way for her and her classmates as they did not have to jump through the hoops of sending multiple resumes. She obtained her internship two years ago through an event called Meet the Firms, where students get a chance to meet their potential employer in a job fair.

“I spoke to the people I wanted to work for and gave them my resume, applied and got an interview,” Hurst said.

Hurst is not sure if her resume went through AI, but is not against the idea as it can have a positive effect for both employers and candidates.

“I do not think it is likely for AI to exclude people who are qualified and have their resume done right, AI can help with synonyms of key words that are on the job posting.”

According to a Cross HQ article, AI is not meant to replace human interaction, as most recruiters interact with candidates during the final interview/onboarding process.

Afrika Miya, who has been working as a recruiter for the past 20 years, said that AI has helped her in her profession.

“We spent days sorting through many resumes just to find a few that would go through for the first round of interviews,” Miya said. “This made the hiring process extremely long and AI has helped us immensely.”

It is impossible in the recruitment industry. Miya said AI has saved recruiters hours of repetitive tasks.

“... 79% of recruiters believe that artificial intelligence will soon be advanced enough to make the hiring and firing decisions”

]

According to the Fill, as a company that specializes in helping companies hire the best candidates “Emotional intelligence and cultural fit are some things that AI cannot determine, no matter how advanced it gets, and these are important for the right candidate to have.”

“As much as I advocate for AI as it makes our jobs easier, I also think that they should never get to the point where there is no human interaction in the hiring process because that would be problematic for the workplace,” Miya said.

People who input false information can be caught easily. According to a Society for Human Resource Management article, “the best way to unearth potentially troublesome AI-generated content on a resume is to pose in-depth questions during an in-person, video or phone interview.”

Miya said that some people use AI to manipulate their resumes and HR professionals are aware of this, so they focus on candidates diving deep into their skills and experiences to match what their resumes say.

She said there is a thin line between using AI to check spelling and grammar on a candidate’s resume and claiming to have experiences they do not have.

Spring 2024 | ACCESS MAGAZINE | 25

Denisse Velasco Staff Writer @denisse_vel Nowadays, a minute-long video feels like watching a movie. The most viewed and popular media are videos that are only a few seconds long.

Seconds is the amount of time that most people’s attention spans allow them to focus. According to BridgeCare ABA Therapy, “The average human attention span is 8.25 seconds.”

It is no secret that most people in society use their technology for hours but there are consequences to this change of behavior in humans as the use of technology increases.

Radio-television-film professor, Kimb Massey, is the faculty adviser for the KSJS radio station at San José State University. She has written various books about media criticism and culture, she believes that society’s typical consumption of media has changed.

Attention span is a trainable cognitive ability,” Massey said. “That means the way we consume media ‘trains’ us to have longer (or more often shorter) attention spans.”

Science Direct, an online bibliographic database, defines it as “A general mental capability involving reasoning, problem solving, planning, abstract thinking, complex idea comprehension, and learning from experience.”

Attention span is being affected because it is decreasing. According to Cross River Therapy, “The average screen time in the United States is seven hours (and) four minutes per day.” This time is usually spent on social media apps such as TikTok and Instagram.

The videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram tend to range from seconds to a few minutes long.

It helps keep the attention of viewers when a video is short and fast. The shorter they are, the easier it becomes to watch more videos and consume content in a quicker fashion.

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“We live in a time where the technological landscape is rapidly changing, and therefore there are new technologies emerging, and new trends, such as short-form vs. long-form content are emerging at a rate faster than we can comprehensively study them to thoroughly understand the long-term impacts of these technologies on attention and overall well being,” Assistant Professor of Psychology Désia Bacon said.

Studies have shown that this is causing the brain to develop a certain condition called “Popcorn Brain.”

This is being seen more due to the extreme daily usage of technology in everyday life.

“Popcorn brain refers to the tendency for our attention and focus to jump quickly from one thing to another, like popping corn kernels,” said clinical psychologist Dr. Daniel Glazer.

The brain becomes used to constant new posts and notifications that provide gratification. Gratification provides instant pleasure and satisfaction. This makes it difficult to complete tasks that require more attention.

According to the New York Post, “Research by the University of California at Irvine determined that the average attention span on any screen before switching to something else decreased from 2.5 minutes in 2004 to 75 seconds in 2012 to 47 seconds nowadays.” This creates an addiction to scrolling through your phone all the time.

The decrease in attention span shapes the way that content is presented and viewed. Long-form content is not as popular because it requires more time and focus.

“Attention span is increasingly a problem in terms of media consumption because TikTok, Instagram Shorts, et cetera are conditioning viewers to require information in short, hyperactive blips,”

SJSU film and theater professor Zaki Hasan said. “As a result, there’s a disincentive in seeking out news and information from traditional legacy media organizations, be they print or television.”

Traditional broadcast news is receiving fewer views since viewers prefer to learn their news from social media. In an article from PEW Research Center, “A large majority of U.S. adults (86%) say they often or sometimes get news from a smartphone, computer or tablet, including 56% who say they do so often.

The portion of Americans who often get news from television has stayed fairly consistent, at 31% in 2022 and 32% in 2023”.

The change in media preference varies depending on the age category.

Younger generations such as millennials and Gen Z follow social media as a source of information, compared to older generations who continue to watch television news and long-form content.

According to Statista, “Although some networks skew slightly younger, the average age of cable news viewers is in the 55–65 range. Unsurprisingly, 42% of Gen-Zers and young millennials (18–29) never watch cable news.”

Technology is used at high rates throughout the day, including during work, school and personal time, causing a modern transformation in the development of the human brain.

“Over the past several years, people have become more screen-fatigued from our switch to doing more things digitally, but we also still use these devices in our downtime. It’s unlikely we’re going to get away from them completely, but I think we all can work to find our own balance and continue to stay curious about what the research is finding,” Bacon said.

The outcome of high social media usage, specifically shortform content, is triggering the growth in the lack of attention span of society.

Photo: Tracy Escobedo

Spring 2024 | ACCESS MAGAZINE | 27

LIFEOFBARRON:

CULTTV

THE MOVIE Elizabeth Bravo Rebolloso Staff Writer @lizzethy

IS SOCIAL MEDIA A CULT? 28 | ACCESS MAGAZINE | Spring 2024

Photo Courtesy: Brian Anderson

In the digital realm of social media, a peculiar phenomenon unfolds hidden beneath the glossy façade of filtered photos and curated feeds.

Master of Fine Arts: Concentration in Digital Media Art (MFA) graduate student, Brian Anderson, unveiled a project that dug deeper into the “cultic” bias of the Western world. His master’s thesis project screened: LifeOfBarron: CultTV - The Movie, both the cinema and installation delve into a technological journey with a mix of humor and horror.

The two-hour film begins with Anderson encountering a leather box during his hike in Santa Cruz. A voice coming from the box turns out to be an entity named Bayor with the goal of taking over Anderson’s body to expose social networks as a cult.

“When you have a system that consistently encourages users to interact with its content as an identity challenged by other content, one can just simply get lost in the void and choose to remain there,” Bayor said. “They end up craving it, becoming addicted to worshiping it. Kind of like the algorithm is the cult leader and social media is the character, it can provide fame, community understanding, and interaction. Behind an original poster human greed can exist whether or not they intend to use it, doesn’t matter because they are influenced by other greed which is a never-ending loop.”

Aside from the film, Anderson designed a showcase of what a content creator can turn into with cult-like imagery. The installation was built from the floors to the walls with academic papers creating a tunnel that led to the main platform where there were screens placed from different angles.

Arts studio practice senior Winnie Liang attended Anderson’s exhibit and found it eye opening.

“Brian really made it feel like I was walking into a different universe,” Liang said. “I especially loved the multiple screens that weren’t correctly synced with each other. It really shows how fragmented viewers are, in regards to our attention and, in a more conceptual way, our empathy towards others.”

The message Anderson conveys in his work is to show viewers that they could use social media as a tool instead of a lifestyle choice.

“Brian’s work addresses the pathos of American society resulting from the idea that ‘we know’ everything,” Digital media arts professor Craig Hobbs said. “Through cunning use of satire and humor combined with digital media savvy, Brian takes the information architecture and amplifies its worst aspects, anxiety-inducing fear and paranoia, to bring light to a very dark space of the internet - conspiracy theory.

His work performs a critical function in the arts, catharsis, as a method of letting go.”

Digital media arts professor David Bayus worked with Brian through the process of the project and said that it exhibited an “esoteric cowboy energy.”

“It’s so fun to watch, with a million ideas churning in his brain,” Bayus said. “The chaotic web of a world he’s built feels as though it could unravel at any moment, but he manages to wrestle it into submission. The result is an amazing, frenetic energy in his installations, which draw you in while he quietly sneaks into your mind, warning you about the dangers of cults before playfully inviting you to join his.”

Anderson’s film excerpts of the exhibition can be found on YouTube under the handle, Life of Barron: CultTV. “Brian’s work addresses the pathos of American society resulting from the idea that ‘we know’ everything,” Digital media arts professor Craig Hobbs Spring 2024 | ACCESS MAGAZINE | 29

AI

in our

INDUSTRIES

As the relentless wave of Artificial Intelligence (AI) seeps its way into every sector of human existence, the same question is on everyone’s minds: what awaits in the uncharted territories of tomorrow? With all its advancements, there is no telling what will happen in the future. All anyone can do is speculate based on how AI is already being implemented in their fields and their knowledge of the subject. From arts and entertainment to engineering and accounting, all fields are being affected by AI in one way or another.

Maya Pettiford Managing Editor @mayaaajadee

“AI is definitely hindering the art industry. At this moment, it is being used as a way to underpay and cut out many jobs or used as a bargaining chip to limit artists from asking for more money or health benefits because that would entice companies to resort to AI instead. Without major push back from unions, the damage from AI will be extreme and the entertainment industry will suffer. There are ways it can be used helpfully but it needs to be highly regulated for that to happen. I don’t think it will be regulated that highly. Art depends on the person’s voice carrying the art.”

Owen Bourdages, Animation sophomore

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th and hindering aspects wi “There are both helpful r ere is this prevailing fea AI in my profession. Th er ov sion that AI will take in the accounting profes heavily based on digitally our jobs. Accounting is l and interpreting financia recording, manipulating accountants are scared information. Thus, many e over our jobs because that AI will eventually tak e it to record and calculat it is not difficult to use is more helpful to the financial data. I think AI ts would allow accountan field of accounting. AI lp their work and may he to be more efficient in d accountants are known lighten the heavy workloa lp record and manipulate to have. While AI may he many clients still prefer the initial financial data, ts to verify the data, so I and trust human accountan t many jobs.” don’t think it would affec Aaliyah Tamayo, Systems sophomore

Accounting

Information

“I think AI is helping the (engineering) industry. It allows tedious tasks to be automated and for more research to be conducted. Once we get past the initial fear of certain jobs becoming redundant, it is a huge advancement and tool for improving workflow and innovation. If used responsibly, I believe that it helps students as well as long as they can assess the information provided to them and its credibility. I used it a bit in my physics and calculus tutoring job to remind myself of topics.”

Isabel Price, Mechanical Engineering junior

“Right now AI is in a particular phase where we have certain things like ChatGP T. It allows students to use that to produce work that will make them successful in the class and thro ughout their career as students, but it doesn’t req uire them to do much personal intellectual work.

I know that most professors do not like it, becaus e we cannot regulate or monitor it. There is no rea l way to sense which students are using this and so how do we even understand plagiarism? When it’s the students’ idea, but gets rewritten by AI? I don ’t know how I stand on it because I like ChatGP T. I use it to write emails. I don’t have a negative view of it, it’s something that’s here to stay. How do you resist it?

I just feel that it’s going to stay in our lives and it’s just going to progress, I don’t know where we’re going as a society. I’m just here for the ride.”

Wendy Thompson Taiwo, Assistant Professor of African American Studies

Illustration by Simon Haupt

Spring 2024 | ACCESS MAGAZINE | 31

OPINION

Social Media Has Become Hell Cancel culture is more toxic than revolutionary.

Jillian Darnell Content and Copy Editor @jillrosied

Social media users love to form bandwagons in support of their favorite creators and relish in dismantling platforms of content creators that are seemingly problematic. However, “cancel culture” does a lot more harm than good.

Social media today is the center stage for audiences to watch their favorite celebrities get slaughtered in a public arena. Cancel culture, according to Merriam-Webster dictionary, is the act of withdrawing support or boycotting people and organizations who have behaved in a socially unacceptable way.

Cancel culture originally started as a way to hold people accountable, almost as a political movement advocating against bad behavior online.

According to a 2021 NPR article, cancel culture was created with the intent to expose public figures who were homophobic and racist, but it has grown into something else entirely, holding private individuals accountable for doing nothing wrong.

There are significant benefits to holding someone accountable on the internet and multiple examples of canceling public figures who deserved to have their platform criticized.

One prominent example is Shane Dawson, a YouTuber who has a massive digital footprint from over 10 years of content online through multiple social media platforms.

Many other YouTubers like DeAngelo Wallace and Ada on Demand compiled and analyzed Dawson’s content and found it disturbing, such as videos that displayed blackface, joked about topics surrounding pedophilia and even suggestions of bestiality.

Dawson apologized for his problematic content in a 20 minute video uploaded to YouTube in 2020. But he has not posted anything in an attempt to redeem or reappropriate his content.

There should be room given to influencers wanting to make a change within their content, but if they don’t change the irresponsible use of their platform to something more appropriate, can online users trust that they will grow?

32 | ACCESS MAGAZINE | Spring 2024

On the other side of that coin, do online users and critics, known as the “cancelers,” offer enough time and space for a person to apologize and redeem themselves within cancel culture?

Public figures have a career and make money through these platforms that can easily be tarnished through misinformation, public controversies being blown out of proportion or unrealistic expectations and values social media users have. Cancel culture can lead to real-life consequences where brands will no longer want to make deals with creators who are problematic, creators whose sole income comes from producing content and lose their livelihood.

Popular series, Hazbin Hotel is a mature animation series about Christianity. Exposing the hy-

pocrisies of heaven’s angels from the perspective of sinners in hell.

People are boycotting the show, Hazbin Hotel, because it paints Christianity in a negative light. The show handles some pretty grotesque topics from sexual assault, to defaming and questioning the foundations of religion.

The animator and director of the series, Vizziepop, also known as Vivienne Medrano, is a popular creator on YouTube establishing her career in animation and art within the last five years, producing series namely Helluva Boss and Hazbin Hotel.

Recently there were accusations of Vizziepop where she had allegedly paid her animation team unlivable wages and displayed child pornography in her art.

YouTuber, Flying Walrus, did a deep dive into the alleged issues of Vizziepop in the animation industry. In his February 2024 video titled, Hazbin Hotel: Modern Musical Done Right, Flying Walrus said “Some ex-employees came forward to talk about unfair pay and working conditions while working underneath Spindle Horse, as well as derogatory claims about Vivian herself. Since those claims many people within and have left the company have come forward to say the exact opposite.”

Flying Walrus goes into detail to say that documents released by the company have indicated the wages employees being paid were actually above the industry standard. Animators are paid

$60 a second for rough animation instead of $35 as other studios. There is also no digital footprint to show that Vizziepop has produced art that is considered child pornography.

Another example is Drake Bell, former Nickelodeon child star and music artist, accused and convicted of child endangerment.

HBOMax recently released a docuseries titled Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV where journalists, former writers and actors came together to expose the awful incidents that happened on and off the set of popular Nickelodeon series like iCarly, All That, The Amanda Show, and Drake and Josh.

In this series, Drake Bell revealed his dark past while being an actor on Nickelodeon, specifically how he was a victim of sexual assault as a child, abused by his on-set dialogue coach, Brian Peck.

After the documentary came, Bell’s case of child endangerment resurfaced on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, etc. and with that, misinformation started flying everywhere.

Online users started calling Bell a child predator and sex offender, saying that he became his worst enemy, indicating that he committed sexual assault against a minor because of the abuse he faced.

According to an online video Bell posted, he pled guilty for the sexually explicit messages he exchanged with a minor. She was a fan who frequently attended his shows and he claimed to not know her age.

Accusations of sexual assault, child pornography and abuse were proven false according to a 2021 CNN article. Bell was only charged with attempted child endangerment and went through two years of probation and 200 hours of community service.

There is no excuse for the conduct he was found guilty of, child endangerment is a serious crime.

But spreading misinformation after he came out with his own story as a victim of such crimes shows how quickly social media leans into canceling someone and spreading hurtful misinformation instead of striving to know the truth.

Silencing and invalidating an individual for speaking out about their story isn’t a world that encourages growth, it reinforces stigma.

Yes, spreading awareness of problematic issues and individuals is essential in a growing society that is adept to online culture. However, instead of jumping the gun and canceling individuals or boycotting entire platforms, we should educate people on the matter and offer public figures the room to grow, redeem themselves and learn from their mistakes.

Photos: Jesus Sanchez Photo of Maya Benmokhtar, Melany Gutierrez, and Julia Chie

Spring 2024 | ACCESS MAGAZINE | 33

sjsuaccess

Photos: Jesus Sanchez Photo of Maya Benmokhtar, Melany Gutierrez, and Julia Chie

sjsuaccess Stay connected and up to date with Access magazine by following us on social media!

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Access Magazine is published by the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, San Jose State University.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR TRACY ESCOBEDO MANAGING EDITOR MAYA PETTIFORD CONTENT & COPY EDITOR JILLIAN DARNELL COPY EDITOR MARIE ANTOINETTE AQUINO SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER LOREN BALL ILLUSTRATOR CIA CASTRO, MELODY CHIU GRAPHIC DESIGNERS AVA CENIZAL, SIMON HAUPT, WINNY KUNG, ERILYN LE, PHOTOGRAPHER ANALYN DO, JESUS SANCHEZ STAFF WRITERS JENNIFER YIN, AMAYA REYNOLDS, TAYLOR SHEPHERD, DENISSE VELASCO, SATURN WILLIAMS, SOPHIA SIPE, UNATHI ZIBI LEBBIE, ELIZABETH BRAVO REBOLLOSO ADVISER NISHA GARUD PATKAR Spring 2024 | ACCESS MAGAZINE | 35

Graphics: Adobe Stock