Published in Rahaf’s Digital Culture Analysis·3 hours agoTikTok: Is Time Running Out for the People’s App?The US government is considering banning Tiktok, under the pretense of national security (questionable), and the damages to physical and mental health, and the amount of wasted time spent on the app. Ok, fair, but have you been on Twitter lately? Or Instagram? Or any other social network? …Tiktok App3 min readTiktok App3 min read
Published in Rahaf’s Digital Culture Analysis·Mar 19When Mean Girls Go ViralHailey vs. Selena. Feuds in the age of TikTok — I’ve been following the latest pop-star drama with interest. Even if you don’t care who these people are, there is something fascinating about watching a feud unfold in the age of TikTok and how social media is impacting narrative, reputation, and the relationship between celebs and fans. Let’s dive in. First up, WHO are these people? …Digital Culture6 min readDigital Culture6 min read
Feb 2, 2022Weak Signal Wednesday 002: Celebrity Crypto Endorsements & NFT TaxesAn On-going Record of Emerging Trends This post is a shortened version of my weekly Sunday newsletter. Subscribers get additional content including early access to research, free goodies and downloads, and exclusive interviews. Subscribe here. Sorry for the Delay…NOT I’m constantly apologizing for my delay in sending emails, even though I think the constant…3 min read3 min read
Published in Rahaf’s Digital Culture Analysis·Jan 19, 2022Weak Signal Wednesday: China Legislates Algorithms and Shondaland VR.An On-going Record of Emerging Trends — This post is a shortened version of my weekly Sunday newsletter. Subscribers get additional content including early access to research, free goodies and downloads, and exclusive interviews. Subscribe here. Shonda Rhimes on Knowing Your Worth After the global success of Bridgerton (82 million views in the first 28 days), I wasn’t surprised to read that Netflix…Innovation3 min readInnovation3 min read
Published in Rahaf’s Digital Culture Analysis·Feb 7, 2021Case Study: Tiktok & The 6R’s of Viral ContentLeveraging Collaborative Internet Culture by Design — In the latest episode of United We Stan, I’m breaking down the features that help Tiktok engineer viral content. Disclaimer: Yes, there are many complex issues around privacy, algorithmic ethics, and geopolitical considerations that I will explore in a later piece. …Digital6 min readDigital6 min read
Published in Rahaf’s Digital Culture Analysis·Jan 22, 2021Community Growth and Grifters on ClubhouseHow to avoid the scams and curate a great experience online — Disclaimer: All digital platforms have scammers. It is a natural part of a growing digital ecosystem. Just as there are text scams, email scams, Instagram scams, and Facebook scams, Clubhouse’s influx of new users has brought with it those who want to exploit others. This is (unfortunately) a normal part…Social Media6 min readSocial Media6 min read
Published in Rahaf’s Work Culture Analysis·Oct 30, 2020Use Halloween to Release NegativityHow an ancient calendar can improve your mental health — *** Note: You do not have be spiritual or religious at all to incorporate the recommended practices into your life. Take what works for you, and leave behind what doesn’t! If you’re looking for an easy, intuitive, and profoundly effective way to feel more present, manage your stress, and improve…Stress5 min readStress5 min read
Published in Rahaf’s Digital Culture Analysis·Jun 25, 2020From Online Tribes to CoalitionsHow the Evolution of Online Communities is Impacting Global Digital Culture. — In 2016, I created a framework that enabled me to map the digital spaces that I was tracking and researching. My focus was on understanding the investment of both intimacy and time that people were making as a part of fandoms and digital tribes that spanned several tech platforms. Here’s…Technology5 min readTechnology5 min read
Published in The Digital Deep Podcast·Apr 20, 2020Ep3: Face/OffMaybe she was born with it..maybe it was Facetune — → LISTEN HERE ← This week’s episode explores photoshopping culture including photo editing apps, face filters and more. Are filters the new digital makeup? How much is too much? What’s the digital etiquette around retouching group photos? Plus: Ancient Greek uni-brows, VSCO girls, and how a face filter was used to slut shame women. …Digital2 min readDigital2 min read
Published in The Digital Deep Podcast·Apr 14, 2020Ep2: Power DynamicsSaving Polar Bears, Laser Weapons, and a Looming Battle between Global Superpowers. — → LISTEN HERE ← In this week’s episode, we dive into batteries: that invisible technology we all take for granted. More than simply recharging your devices, batteries are reshaping entire industries including travel, entertainment, weapons, and more. Personal: How have batteries influenced our social behavior? Do you suffer from “low…2 min read2 min read
