Reading: Carving alternative spaces

We examine ways in which individuals and organizations have used internet communication to carve alternative spaces for themselves in an increasingly global and centralized world. Much of our conversation focuses on the manner in which disparate groups, marginalized by small size, are forming communities of like-minded people to confront problems on the global stage. We outline a notion of discursive resistance that emerges when individuals and groups use technology to create spaces of community and protest. Secondly, we analyze two specific rhetorics employed to shape these spaces: agonistic and utopian discourse. Finally, we evaluate a dangerous intersection of agonistic and utopian rhetoric online, the use of computer networks to disseminate hate speech.

Off-campus webpages

2600 Hacked Sites Archive - maintained by the Hacker Quarterly.

An interview with Reverend Matt Hale - "We are of course hoping to expand all these operations and produce higher quality web sites to give people full knowledge of Creativity without even having to leave their home. That's the main benefit of it is a person can learn about our church without ever ordering one of our books or seeing one of our members. They can just learn through the screen."

HateWatch - "An educational resource combating online bigotry"

Poisoning the Web - "An ADL Report on Internet Bigotry, Extremism and Violence"

Note: These pages exist outside of San Jose State University servers and their content is not endorsed by the page maintainer or any other university entity. These pages have been selected because they may provide some guidance or insight into the issues discussed in class. Because one can never step into the same electronic river twice, the pages may or may not be available when you request them. If you have any questions or suggestions, please email Dr. Andrew Wood.