OPENWIDE v. 20.4 - The Legacy Issue

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THE LEGACY ISSUE

vol 20 iss 4

openwide.com 1

editor’s note Like most students, I’m completely shocked by how the school year has ended. I never thought I would be sitting down to write this note and wrap up our final issue of Volume 20 in quarantine, it feels like the cherry on top of a bittersweet ending.

While COVID-19 has disrupted almost every aspect of our lives, I can’t help but feel a little bit of gratitude for the lessons it has brought. Social distancing has cultivated a deeper sense of connection in our day to day relationships, social media has become a more positive place (in some respects) and the world is awakening to new ways of finding fulfilment. We are learning new skills, sleeping in, listening to our needs, and spending time with family (or pets or plants). This is the sugar coated version of the story - there is still a lot of work to be done and a lot of damages to repair. Students and citizens will continue to hold their governments accountable in the coming years, and hopefully the economic, physical, and emotional scars of this pandemic fade quickly. Regardless, we’ve all been struggling with huge changes - so why not find some stability and get nostalgic?

This issue, our largest and most inspired yet in my opinion, comes with a few extra special features!

Before OPENWIDE was OPENWIDE, it was MIT’Zine - and some of its founding members have collaborated with the Volume 20 team to create an issue that looks back at OPENWIDE’s older, edgier, more radical sibling while also looking ahead to the future of alternative media. Our goal was to create something that inspires you to think about the legacy we leave behind after we leave Western; and as FIMS students I know we all strive to leave behind a trail of revolution, skepticism, awareness, and social change (with a hint of Marxist flair!).

So, as I sign off as Editor-in-Chief and finish my undergrad career, I hope Volume 20 and all of it’s amazing team members will be back to reflect on our past alongside OPENWIDE Volume 50; but until then - see ya later FIMS! Happy reading!

Elisabeth Edwards Editor-in-Chief, OPENWIDE Zine

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www.facebook.com/OPENWIDEzine www.instagram.com/openwidezine www.openwidezine.com write.openwidezine@gmail.com Disclaimer: the sole responsibility of this publication lies within its authors. contents do not reflect the opinions of the University Student’s Council of Western University (“USC”). The USC assumes no responsibility or liability for any error, inaccuracy, omission, or comment contained in this publication or for any use that may be of such information by the reader.

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table of contents restrospective memory mixtape what happened to mitzine? big brother then and now: graduating into the web a public health crisis unexpected conclusions a note about the future the anti-listice listicle zine canada western 2050 the future of fashion what’s happening outwide “how do you feel about the future”?” poem collage: blankets + a full moon spring /summer formal lookbook: neon. instagram as the new third place what qualifies as family friendly? ask disney+ openwide alt film collection

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 18 20 22 25 26 28 30

eugene gutierrez brian fateux andrew dewaard pierre hamilton erik von stackelberg jeff preston jenny boucher elizabeth edwards grace armstrong grace armstrong elizabeth lam elizabeth edwards grace armstrong zoe abernethy miranda palmer marah minor samantha kroontje megan bishop megan bishop and elizabeth lam

the openwide team elizabeth edwards alysha bauer amy thompson armin basharat safiya chagani emily anderson megan bishop zoe abernethy marah minor grace armstrong elizabeth lam hannah aviv sophia belyk lauren medeiros alexia cain max shay

editor-in-chief managing editor web editor creative director digital content creator social media curator culture and entertainment editor world editor fashion editor creative editor western life editor lead graphics editor graphics editor graphics editor photographer photographer

the mitzine team eugene gutierrez brian fateux andrew dewaard pierre hamilton erik von stackelberg jeff preston jenny boucher

editor-in-chief writer contributor writer contributor writer contributor writer contributor writer contributor writer contributor

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Then & Now: Graduating into the Web

Open Wide

Open Wide

Erik von Stackelberg 5 min

Then: You tag your friend on Facebook in a post from Saturday night at the Ceeps.

Now: Cambridge Analytica tags your mom on Facebook as an easy target for political ads.

Erik von Stackelberg 10 min

Then: You begrudgingly fork over $300 for a student copy of Adobe Creative Suite.

Now: Adobe charges you a low, low price of $20 per month. You think you’re getting a sick deal, and pay the fee happily for 4 years.

Then: Citing Wikipedia articles earns you an F on your paper.

Now: Editing Wikipedia articles makes you look smart in front of your classmates.

Then: You tell your Dad you want to work in UX. He tells you to stop screwing around with computers and implores you to get an education.

Now: You tell your Dad you want to work in UX. He asks if he can get in on your Series A.

Graduating into the Web - continued Then: You scoff at JavaScript programmers as you code mind-blowing Flash ActionScript immersive experiences.

Now: You scoff at Flash ActionScript programmers as you code mind-blowing JavaScript immersive experiences.

Then: You pitch yourself as a web designer.

Then you explain to employers why they need a web designer.

Now: You pitch yourself as a product designer.

Startups clamour to have you work with their engineers and data scientists.

Then: You make do with only a loose understanding of the business world (corporations are bad, right?)

Now: You balance business model innovation, design, and strategy to make a positive impact on the world.

Then: You pirate software, swindling countless makers out of their hard-earned dollars.

Now: The software is free, you are the maker, and your data are the dollars.

Erik von Stackelberg 15 min

Then: You build your portfolio out of work samples and demo reels.

Now: You build your portfolio out of critical ideas from your Medium posts and key demonstrations of design process.

Then: You code a dope website for your friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s band in Textedit using tons of <tr>â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s & <td>â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

Now: Your friend is in fact a machine that can algorithmically generate music and code its own website.

Then: You cheer as the FCC gets serious about net neutrality.

Now: You cry as net neutrality gets seriously demolished.

Then: You add â&#x20AC;&#x153;Photoshopâ&#x20AC;? to your list of skills on your paper resume.

Now: You add design research, interaction design, product strategy, and maybe full-stack development to your LinkedIn profile.

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You may pick up on subtleties in this issue that reflect what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re currently living through, as it just so happens that we here at OPENWIDE Volume 20 created this issue in the midst of a global health crisis. Coronavirus has changed almost every aspect of our lives, launching students into a futuristic experience of learning.

Overnight, all Western classes were moved online as self isolation was enforced to quell the spread of the virus.

A NOTE ABOUT THE FUTURE

//Elizabeth Edwards

How fitting that this issue is all about how the past and future collapse on one another to inform the present! Our present moment feels like a strange fever dream, somewhere between a return to the Spanish Influenza of 1918 and a dystopian novel come to life; entire cities are vacant, humans are staying 6 feet apart from one another while lining up for hours at a time just to hoard toilet paper and hand sanitizer, our only interactions are mediated through screens, and censorship of information is unprecedented.

Whatever moment you are living in now, I hope you can look back on the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020 knowing there are brighter days ahead.

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THE ANTI-LISTICLE LISTICLE //GRACE ARMSTRONG & Safiya Chagani

Listicles have dominated our social media feeds, and has become one of the Top 10 Ways to push out loads of content, with little creativity. They’ve been a way for large media publications like Buzzfeed to over-saturate the market with low-cost content that generates clicks on their website. In honour of lazy writing, here are our Top 5 Reasons Why Listicles have become the death of journalism.

NOT ALWAYS INFORMATIVE

Yes, we understand you’re not always looking for informative and educational content when looking for what to browse when waiting in line for Starbucks at the UCC. But seriously, if you clicked on an article called Top 10 Marvel Zaddies, you know what you’re going to get.

There’s nothing new there. Just go to Chris Hemsworth’s insta if you want to see pics of his ripped abs, not Buzzfeed ladies and gents! Skip the middleman!

CLASSIC CLICK BAIT

We know it well, that catchy title that reels you in and makes you click on that article on your Facebook timeline your Aunt shared. It only leads to disappointment. These articles never live up to the hype or interest that their titles imply. The titles and articles are misleading and try to deceive the reader so their article can get more hits. They are either super click-baity or simply say Top 10 Who Cares and what you see is what you get.

LAZY WRITING

STOLEN CONTENT

Buzzfeed listicles are notorious for compiling tweets or tumblr text posts from other users. Sure, their username is usually included in the screenshot or link, but no one is asking them for permission to use their content in the article that they are definitely making money from. The author essentially writes nothing and just steals viral content from other sites and compiles it into a list to get a trending article with lots of hits. How is that fair?

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Listicles are flooding the areas we usually get our news information from. Facebook, Twitter, and a trusty Magazine. Listicles are everywhere! We are not saying there aren’t good ones here and there or faulting anyone for scrolling through a listicle for some escapism. We’re only human, right? The reality though, is that these listicles are getting pumped out of publications like crazy and flooding our screens with bad writing and forcing out good, and informative pieces of journalism.

Most listicles compile tweets, insta posts, or GIFS from other popular apps. There’s barely any actual writing except for the odd introduction or conclusion that just re-explains what the title has already told us. They make the conscious assumption that the reader is stupid and needs every detail layer out for them over and over again to understand it.

//Grace Armstrong

Zine Canada Idris Alba is trending in Twitter after testing positive for COVID-19 Reminding all of us of that time last summer he was trending for apparently being a DJ and getting a gig at Coachella ??

Every day locals gather on their front porches to make noise in support of healthcare workers

Banging pots and pans = a rebranding of the classic ‘thoughts and prayers’

USA reported to be #1 in cases of COVID-19 Interesting how America seems to be #1 for literally everything that you would not want to be #1 for

Harvey Weinstein has reportedly beat COVID-19 This is when we all silently realize we wanted him not to

News outlets flooded with the latest info on COVID-19 So did we all just forget about the American election, issues with the pipeline, and the literal concentration camps that still exist ??

Statistics show mass shortages of box hair dye at local drug stores Can’t wait for next week when there’s a mass shortage of clippers from when everyone shaves their heads after realizing they now look like Joe Exotic

College students tired of having to tune in to online lectures We now silently shudder at the mere mention of the word ‘zoom’

University professors struggle to control students in online lectures Seriously guys, please just turn off your mics. No one wants to hear you go to the bathroom or yell at your mom, spare us

Orlando Bloom reportedly in talks to play Joe Exotic in biopic They are really trying to make us want to fuck the Tiger King 13

WESTERN 2050 THE CAMPUS WE WANT BUT WILL NEVER GET // Elizabeth Lam & Megan Bishop

The Western Dome

Thames gondola

inside our weather controlled sphere, Western will never have to deal with the horrendous winters with unplowed roads and icy sidewalks.

Personal gondola trips down Thames River because we can’t all afford a Spring Break trip to Europe.

traveling tubes Traveling tubes across campus because no one trusts LTC. Just hop right into designated travel tubes all over campus and get suctioned through the underground tubing system to your next destination.

Floating buildings All buildings on campus will float for the safety of those who don’t look up from their phones while walking. You won’t have to worry about walking into another brick wall again. Warning: This will not prevent you from falling into the traveling tubes.

Weldon capsules Weldon Capsules will allow students to nap and watch Netflix when spending a full 24 hours at the library. Capsules will be refused to two or more people at the same time... You know why.

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Virtual reality classrooms Virtual classrooms are accessed through Virtual Reality headsets, where students can get their 10% attendance without leaving their house.

vegan spoke

geese pixelators

After years of being put on blast on Western Savages for their uncooked chicken fingers, the Spoke is now fully vegan.

With geese-detecting grass, those monsters will pixelate into thin air and transported to Queens.

Sensory deprivation tanks From spending one million dollars on mental health services, Western has Sensory Deprivation Tanks at Western Health Services. Book your appointment 10 months in advance!

foco is legal .

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T

e h

e r u o t f u F

//Elisabeth Edwards

How to be a sustainable shopper (without breaking the bank))

Fashion

Sustainability is having a moment and we are totally here for it! With more and more transparency surrounding the production practices and ecological footprint of the fashion industry, a new type of brand has emerged that puts the power back in the hands of the consumer.

Why should I give a damn??

If you are a normal, rational human being who chooses to wear clothes instead of shower curtains or garbage bags then YOU have a role in the impact the fashion industry has on our environment. But the one beautiful thing about capitalism is that you have a choice to spend your money on companies, products, and initiatives that make a difference 1 day, 1 month, and possibly 100 years in the future.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not aware of the ecological impacts of the fashion/ textile industry, here are some stats you should know: The fashion industry is the 2nd largest polluter in the world!

20% of all industrial water pollution comes from the treatment and dyeing of textiles. Toxic dyes and chemicals used to make garments and textiles are dumped untreated directly into rivers in developing countries. These chemicals contaminate the water with dangerous substances like lead, mercury, and arsenic (to name a few) not only harming aquatic life but also threatening the availability of clean drinking water to communities who need it most.

1.5 trillion litres of water are used by the fashion industry every year - thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1.5 trillion tons of water that could go towards helping the 750 million people around the world who do not have access to clean drinking water.

Just for perspective: that means we could provide every single one of those 750 million people with 2,000 litres of clean drinking water with just one years worth of water used by the fashion industry!

The fashion industry also promotes an awful cycle of buying new clothes every season or manufacturing garments that are too poor quality to last you a whole year. Because of this, 5.2% of all waste in landfills is made up of textiles! While materials like cotton or bamboo are biodegradable in landfills, many other synthetic ones like polyester (which make up 72% percent of our clothing) take up to 200 years to decompose (and they These stats are from non-for-profit organization SustainYourStyle. pollute our oceans with microplastics when washed!)

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These are just a handful of reasons to consider making the transition to more sustainable clothing choices, but it may prove to be difficult to afford on a tight student budget. With this in mind, here are some tips to shop sustainable without breaking the bank or sacrificing style!

SOMETHING OLD

Yes, the most sustainable and affordable way to shop is at your local thrift store - but you probably knew that already! Everyone knows thrift shopping is making a huge comeback, but maybe Value Village men’s isn’t where you’d prefer to find cute clothes (no judgement there - we all like variety!) If you aren’t in to thrift shopping at Goodwill or Value Village, try these other places with more curated collections and newer pieces to look at!

Filthy Rebena Vintage

[177 Dundas St. London ON] Filthy Rebena stocks curated vintage items with a unique flair for an amazing price! They’re also known to have great student discounts and free coffee + treats on Sundays - how cute!

Back to the Fuschia

[1043 Dundas St. London ON] Go explore London’s Old East Village in true oldfashioned style! Back to the Fuschia has an amazing selection of vintage goods (not just clothes) and an unforgettable atmosphere. I never leave here without finding something - and always for a steal!

Something New If you aren’t into thrift shopping, or maybe just too busy to shop in person, there are lots of great online stores you can shop at while still being a sustainable consumer!

thredUP

[www.thredup.com] You’ve probably heard about this company through YouTube influencers, but thredUP is an amazing website to go to when you’re looking to shop second hand clothes that are practically brand new. You’ll also find brand names like Free People, Lululemon, Aritizia, and J. Crew and all at super affordable prices!

Memory Lane Antiques

[1175 Hyde Park Rd. London ON] If you’re looking for something extra special or extra-authentic, Memory Lane a gold mine! Go check it out and I guarantee you will spend at least three hours rummaging through beautiful vintage dresses, silk robes, jewelry, old comic books, midcentury modern furniture, and literally anything else you could imagine! It’s a little pricier, but worth it if you’re a true vintage enthusiast.

Etsy

[www.etsy.com] If you love vintage shopping but can’t seem to vibe with any of the local stores, Etsy is a great place to find unique pieces at fair prices while supporting local businesses or entrepreneurs! I’ve found everything from a working 1942 Smith Corona typewriter to a 1950’s wool chore coat (complete with Scouts Canada patch - so cool!) This is also the best place to find extra special gifts for that extra special person in your life!

Need more? Here is a list of brands that make sustainable clothes from scratch:

Transparent, ethical manufacture Everlane ($$) People Tree ($-$$) Kotn* ($) Uncle Studios* ($$) Bluboho* ($$$) Encircled* ($$$)

Eco-conscious and sustainable materials H&M Conscious ($) Reformation ($$$) Patagonia ($-$$) Manduka ($$) Levi’s ($) Allbirds ($$) Frank and Oak* ($-$$) Inner Fire Apparel* ($$) *Designed/Made in Canada

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E D I W t u o g n i n e p s Hap

What

//GRACE ARMSTRONG

What’s Happening OutWide is a feature in OPENWIDE that brings you a selection of curated activities, events, music, and any other cool things we think our readers will enjoy. So get reading and hopefully we’ve found something you will fall in love with!

Music

Check out any of these tracks online, plus OPENWIDE’s own curated playlists on Spotify!

ALBUMS Check out any of these tracks online, plus OPENWIDE’s own curated playlists on Spotify!

Dreamland by COIN Golden Past Life by Fruit Bats Chilombo by Jhene Aiko Killer by Babe Corner

Singles

Making Love by Sir Woman Can’t Cool Me Down by Car Seat Headrest

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C’mon Pretty Hunny by Joey Bird

A local London musician! Check them out @joey__bird on Instagram!

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99% Invisible

With having to self-isolate, it’s easy to feel stir-crazy and stuck inside. So, why not go on a hike to get some healthy fresh air?

Below are a selection of local London trails to check out.

A weekly podcast that explores the power and hidden history of design and architecture. If you’re looking to learn something new, or curious about topics surrounding accessibility or the invention of mannequins, then definitely check this one out!

Medway Valley Trail Association The Thames Valley Trail Cavendish Park Fanshawe Lake Trail Turtleback Sifton Bog

e els

SB

Looking for your next favourite minimalist ring or staple earrings? Then this is for you! All handmade, vegan jewellery (no leather, silk, or feathers), Jewels by SJB is guaranteed to have at least one piece you will fall in love with. A local London company with a message about sustainability and veganism, these gorgeous pieces containing crystals and positive vibes are to die for. Plus! With each purchase, a portion of proceeds goes to animals in need. You can find more info and shop @jewelsbysjb on Instagram or online.

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What the Love

this show will blow your mind! It follows world-class If you’re a human alive on this planet, chances are you therapist Dr. Orna Guralnik as she works with real are obsessed with Queer Eye. Which is why I know you couples in their one-hour therapy sessions with her.

It not only tackles the issues that face the couples will be just as obsessed with What the Love as me and my housemates are. Hosted by Karan Johar, a big-time directly, but addresses the very real issues of society, like race and gender, that patients come to Orna Bollywood director, producer, and actor, the show looking for help about. My favourite part of the show follows desperate singles looking for love. Complete is how it follows Orna herself, and the stress, grief, and with a makeover montage and test dates, the show emotional burdens that come with being a therapist aims to help these socially awkward singles come out of their shells and find the love they deserve. Although and how she deals with it. The show includes her discussions with a fellow therapist to help her work it might not make you cry as much as Queer Eye, this through particularly hard issues affecting her clients, as show will have you laughing and your heart warmed, well as, the personal issues she faces because of her line guaranteed. of work. The breakthroughs she has with some of her clients will end up with you wanting to binge the whole Couples Therapy season just to see what happens next.

A personal favourite of mine I discovered through Tiara Sukhan’s Women’s Television class (MIT 3208),

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//zoe abernethy //Photos by Alexia cain

“I think the future is really unpredictable, and sometimes I hate to think about the future, because I think we are good with the technology we already have. Like AI and AR/VR, I don’t have a daily need for them. Some industries or areas of society could maybe benefit from them, but I feel like they could be really scary because I’m being replaced, or we’re just losing more human interaction and interacting with machines instead.”

“I’m the type of person who likes to plan, and the future isn’t always accommodating about that”

Sometimes thinking about it can be pretty heavy and concerning to me “a lot of people and not enough resources for them”

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“It’s hard to take all the terrible things that are happening around the world and wrap my head around it, because anyone who tries to do that… it’s just too much to handle”

“Overall, the economy’s getting worse so we’re focusing on the economy, but we really should be focusing on sustainability, which we can’t because the economy’s getting worse… “

“Our future is very much not going to be one soon if we don’t… you know… start recycling better”

“...but do we?”

Id say Im nervous but also hopeful for the future “I feel a lot of worry about my future, just like what am I going to do? Because the economy doesn’t look good for our generation, the way the economy is structured just doesn’t make sense for most people. We can’t keep living the way we do, going more and more in debt...”

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//Art by Grace Armstrong

//Words by Miranda Palmer

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Spring/Summer Formal Lookbook:

//MARAH MINOR

Neon.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re like me, who tends to stick to all neutral outfits, the thought of wearing neon can be a little intimidating. However, since the spring/summer of 2019, we have seen neon popping up everywhere, from a more subtle approach to full neon looks. Diving into bold neon outfits is overwhelming, so here are some tips on how to incorporate neon into your wardrobe for the upcoming warm seasons.

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To start off simple, begin with trying neon accessories. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a neon purse (my personal favourite), a scrunchie, pair of shoes or sunglasses, this is an easy way to add a pop of colour to your outfit without feeling over the top.

2 A major trend we are seeing right now is tie dye, and more specifically, tie dye sets.

Tie dye sets can be a more subdued pop of color, or you can go for something more vibrant. A huge positive is that most of these sets are lounge sets, so you get to be comfy, cute and colourful all in one look.

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3 For the upcoming summer season, try sporting a neon swimsuit. It is a small amount of clothing that makes wearing such a vibrant colour less intimidating.

4 A simple way to rock neon is to go for neon pants or a skirt, with a white t-shirt. Every person already has a white t-shirt, so pairing it with a pop of colour on the bottom looks very put together and thought out, but requires little effort.

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If you want to go over the top, hit it out of the park with an all neon outfit. Neon trousers and blazers to make a coordinated suit, a neon jumpsuit or neon dress, all will leave an impression.

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Instagram as the New ‘Third Place’ Samantha Kroontje

Can you recall the last time you sat in a coffee house purely in the interest of conversation, community, and expression?Alternatively, it could have been in your favorite pizza joint, bar, club house, park—or any other public social setting for that matter. The point is that the reason you go there is to engage in social gatherings that don’t necessarily involve your work or home life; it is conversation simply for the sake of it.

Ramon Oldenburg and Dennis Brissett tagged these settings ‘the third place’. This is a space where people gather for the “joy of association”, participate in speech that promotes meaningful bonds, and removes self-interest, exploitative objectives, and actions that serve to promote one’s own personal or professional endeavours. When these ingredients are combined, the recipe yields a comfortable atmosphere that provides human interaction that ‘feeds the soul’.

We have begun to suffer a deterioration of these communities; both in number and quality of experience. Not only have third places become harder to come by, they are also beginning to lack a sense of belonging and thoughtful interaction that they once facilitated.

We’ve all heard the saying ‘alone in a crowd’. Well, the crowd in the coffee house you last visited probably wasn’t talking and interacting. In all likelihood, they were sitting with their faces buried in smartphones— their eyes glued to a screen that invites them into a totally different type of community: Instagram.

Admittedly, Instagram does facilitate more convenient communication and therefore affiliation between persons. The mistake is that the app isn’t 26

a replacement for ‘third places’; it doesn’t promote fulsome discussion nor does it sustain inclusive and meaningful interactions. Online communities are, of course, relatively artificial and should only be used as a supplement to more authentic forms of interaction between people—the kinds that transpire face-to-face.

From where I stand, the allure of Instagram comes from a place of control. The second you log on, you are given the power to create yourself and design your identity through a series of photographs. You run through other users’ feeds for inspiration like an art gallery; you arrange your own, and rearrange it until you have portrayed the perfect image. The catch is that the impression you make is never quite right and there’s always something to be improved.

What’s worse is that Instagram enables comparison unlike any other social media app. For some, it’s all too easy to revisit that person’s perfect feed—a better word for ‘feed’ may be the ‘catalogue of all their possessions, best makeup looks, and cool captions’— and remind yourself where yours is lacking. With this in mind, it is easy to imagine how harmful social media can be when it takes up a considerable amount of one’s interactive life. Instagram is the third place’s antagonist, and thus should not be used for the same purpose.

Let’s take a closer look: a key distinction between third places and their digital substitutes is that third places are for “pure sociability”. Instagram has much more to do with self promotion and in some instances, that’s definitely a plus! On the app, you’ll see ‘Instagram Influencers’, sponsored advertising, and a whole lot of ‘pretty people’ who display their lives like a highlight reel. That’s the first rule of Instagram: you only show the good stuff.

By definition, third places entail equality between people, that no person is the center of attention, and that the vanity involved in the ‘Me Society’ must be left at the door. Instagram is your own personal advertising platform and third places are the antithesis of that. The two are clearly at odds, and that’s fine.

What becomes problematic is that the app has become such a favorite of young people that authentic, in person, experiences suffer as a consequence.

For evidence that interpersonal relationships are diminishing, simply look to Levi Strauss & Co’s 1987 campaign series for their line of Dockers’ Khakis—considered to be one of the most successful advertising campaigns to date. The ads were simple: they followed men in their late 30s around pubs and offices. They filmed their genuine conversation and cut it down to feature the most mundane, insignificant remarks. Heck, they didn’t even mention Khakis! The content was lifeless and yet the company’s valuation skyrocketed (almost passing 9 figures). What the company had discovered in previous research was that men of the time felt that they were lacking a male community they could interact with. They were caught between the strenuous demands of family and work life and thus, all Dockers had to do was invoke a sense of community and friendship.

Time spent solely between work and home leaves the individual with a feeling of social deficiency. This is not to say that Instagram or other similar apps are responsible for this. In an odd twist, they often do engage people into a community. So it is true that social media platforms like Instagram serve to attract larger audiences. However, a ‘community’ serves no effective purpose if it does not promote genuine socialization. So, it is not the reduction of social life that is Instagram’s transgression, but rather its role in reducing the quality of our social life.

For example, the quality of our conversations worsen when they are intermediated through digital spaces.

Gone from the discussion are the many clues one can glean from face-to-face interaction. When I consider what is missing from communication via Instagram, I think of body language such as hand motioning and slumping opposed to standing upright, as well as attentiveness or generally another’s overall attention span. Interaction has become much simpler opposed to that of third places.

Let’s also not forget that content online is always subject to outside monitoring by that insidious watchdog: algorithms. Okay, so what does surveillance have to do with anything while users are interacting on a social platform? Well, I can say with confidence that I have thought twice about posting certain things. Let’s think: addresses and phone numbers, pictures of persons in embarrassing positions (that’s a reference about my friends of course, wouldn’t be me…. or would it?).

More importantly, these algorithms reduce the diversity of content that the user is exposed to on the app. Instagram’s algorithms systematically align the subject matter that appears on a user’s feed to correlate with the behavioural and demographic data that their systems collect. In essence, a comprehensive personal profile of user data is composed for the purpose of i) maximizing engagement by providing recommendations that are consistent with the users identified interests; and ii) generating revenues that can be derived through targeted advertising.

The result is homogenized content. Whenever I’m on the app, for example, I see a cluster of images tied to websites, Influencers, and apparel companies that I have seen a hundred times before. Redundant content and uniformity are usually not what people want out of a social space, online or otherwise. Social media’s habit of standardizing content makes it much harder for people to engage with materials outside the scope of their fixed interests. The same thing goes for their ability to maintain meaningful relationships in a space outside the home or workplace. So, perhaps it is time to reconsider the convenience of social platform interaction against the benefits associated with personal interaction.

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W h at Q u a l i f i es as " Fa m i ly F r i e n d ly " ? As k D i s n e y + ! //Marah Minor Nostalgia is a powerful tool for selling products. This has been proven time and time again in the film and television industry as franchised content dominates box offices and streaming services alike. Perhaps the most influential franchisee in the entertainment industry is Disney, a company that relies on nostalgia and the value of childhood experiences to sell not only products but ideologies. For years, Disney has created a pop culture phenomena by profiting from audiences wanting to re-experience their past. Disney relies on synergistic films that will spawn into massive franchises that they can use to create toys, books, clothing, and most importantly, can be included in their theme parks. While Disney presents itself as a family friendly company, as demonstrated through the way they handle their new content - both created and acquired - Disney decides what the term “family friendly” means, which is problematic in many ways. This is demonstrated through three semi-recent occurrences in relation to their streaming service Disney +.

1) The 20th Century Fox Acquisition 2) The Love, Simon streaming show 3) The Lizzie McGuire revival

In all these cases, Disney has revealed how it censors content that explores mature subject matter, LGBTQ+ identities, and adult experiences.

While Disney has always been a company that values allages content, it’s expansion into streaming services has made it clear that Disney only privileges specific types of stories: ones without controversy. The popularity of streaming services is already high, but it continues to grow. From Netflix, to Crave or Amazon Prime, there are already so many options available to consumers. So what makes Disney + so special? For some, it’s a library of old classic animated movies (the Disney vault, as they call it). Others, like many millenials, prefer the nostalgia of Disney Channel original shows, and others will subscribe for all the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars films.

One thing all content has in common is that it does not exceed a PG-13 rating, so there is no need for parental controls on the service; content is suitable for every age.

While this may appeal to parents, Disney is limiting their audience by not providing original content that 28

appeals to young adults and older. Sure, Disney + has the Mandalorian and will soon have original Marvel shows, but all this original content is based on preexisting property. One thing that other streaming services can learn from Netflix is that an original idea that has mature elements can go a long way (*cough cough* Stranger Things).

The 20th Century Fox Acquisition: In March 2019, Disney successfully purchased major film studio 20th Century Fox. Through this acquisition, Disney got control of their film studio, TV Networks such as FX, and a majority (and controlling) stake in streaming service Hulu, as well as popular film titles and franchises like Avatar, X-Men, Alien, Planet of the Apes, and Die Hard. While many are concerned about the likelihood of censorship of popular comic character Deadpool (I am too), what is more concerning is the dismissal and exclusion of Fox films on their streaming service. To adhere to the “family friendly” model, many popular Fox titles that are R-rated are not included in the Disney + library. While including these more mature titles may go against the brand Disney has created for itself, these titles now belong in their catalogue of content. By excluding these titles on their service, Disney is locking these titles away, making them more difficult to access. Hulu provides an alternative location for these titles, but Hulu is not as well known to the public as a Disney streaming service; Disney does not want consumers knowing they own Hulu as the content goes against their family focused brand. Hulu then becomes a more complicated location through the next two examples where content that is not “family friendly” goes.

Love, Simon and Disney's Homophobia: The second case may be the most egregious as it demonstrates a clear intolerance and conservatism of the Disney brand. This case is the Love, Simon spin-off show Love, Victor being moved from Disney+ to Hulu because it is not “family friendly” enough. What makes this move so egregious to Disney is that the protagonist is a gay teenager - there is no explicit content or motive to exclude this content besides a homophobic attitude

towards LGBTQ+ people. Having watched Love, Simon myself, a film with a PG-13 rating, I can confidently say that the film does not contain mature content. Since the film has a PG-13 rating, it is just as family friendly as content on Disney+ like Marvel films, Avatar, and the Pirates of the Carribean films.

With the creation of Disney+ shows based on films, the shows tend to follow the rating from the film.

Since Love, Victor was meant to be a Disney+ show, it was following the PG-13 rating to be in line with the original film’s rating and the service’s censorship.

Moving the show to Hulu with the explanation of the show not being “family friendly” enough calls into question Disney’s support of LGBTQA+ stories. They already have a problematic track record when it comes to representation and they applaud themselves for including characters with minimal screentime who reference being in a same sex relationship. This is far from positive representation, and by moving Love, Victor to Hulu Disney only further perpetuates their authoritarian ideologies as a company that only creates heteronormative and conservative content.

stories as too mature for the service, representation that is needed on a service for people to subscribe to is removed.

Hulu is a great option to release content that Disney wants to create for mature audiences but without “Disney” in the title with Hulu, the company is distancing themselves from mature content that strays from their “family friendly” values. In the middle of this streaming war, I think it’s safe to say Disney is losing the battle.

Lizzie McGuire and Disney Censorship: The last case is about the revival of Lizzie McGuire on Disney+. When the revival was announced, fans were ecstatic with the news happy that this favourite Disney channel show would be returning. In the 2010s, revivals of popular shows had been incredibly successful. From Fuller House to Will & Grace, fans are demanding new content with the characters they know and love.

Even sitcom classic Friends will be having a reunion show on HBO Max. Lizzie McGuire is a great show to revive as it has been over a decade since the show was on television. With this time elapse, the audience of the show has grown up along with its cast members.

The characters have also grown up and Lizzie will be a thirty-year-old woman. With this change in age, the content of the show skews more mature as it will deal with more mature themes and issues for a mature audience. However, the production was halted as the series showrunner was fired. On Instagram, star Hilary Duff asked for the show to be moved to Hulu so they can explore more mature themes. By not allowing mature content on Disney+, the service is now running into issues with show revivals. By not allowing these characters to age, Disney+ is not creating authentic stories that are relatable to the original audience but instead focused too intensely on it’s younger audiences.

With all this to say, I do think that Disney+ is a good streaming service for families, I just think the appeal only goes so far. By qualifying adult and LGBTQA+ 29

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