My digital Selfie
The creation process
In the creation process, I chose TikTok, especially with a focus on blending traditional cultural elements with modern digital aesthetics, involves a thoughtful and creative process. Firstly, I chose a serene theme that aligns with both the traditional aspect of the Japanese site and the modern, global appeal of TikTok. My pose with subtle smile under the Fushimi Inari's Torii reflects the poise in traditional Japanese culture. After taking the selfie, I adjusted it to the soft, diffused light that gives the photo a serene and gentle quality, reflective of Japanese aesthetics. Indeed, I looked for filters that not only enhance the facial features but also complement the overall serene mood I want to achieve. According to Javornik et al. (2022), the use of face filters satisfies social media users' desires for social interaction and creative content creation. For instance, I chose the filters that add a warm tone and softness. What is more, the utilization of beauty effects to smooth the skin tone, ensuring it looks natural instead of artificial appearance. To be specific, the enhancement provides me with American features such as blue pupil and high nasal bridge didn't capture my Chinese and Japanese identity. As such, these enhancements should serve as tools to present the captured moment in authentic way.
My digital identity, as manifested on social media platforms such as Instagram, represents a multifaceted persona that encapsulates not only my personal experiences and cultural heritage but also the nuanced interplay between technology and self-expression. The appellation 'Toshio'—my Japanese name—accompanied by a profile image captured in Tokyo, serves to foreground my immersion in Japanese culture, contrasting significantly with the prevailing perception of me as a Chinese student in Canada.
The discourse on digital self-representation, as articulated by Tatum, underscores a critical dialogue about equity within the realm of artificial intelligence imaging. Discrepancies in avatar representation, particularly those related to skin color, amplify ongoing concerns about the inclusivity of AI technology. Such discrepancies not only raise questions about the parity of digital representation but also reflect broader societal discourses on identity and technology.
AI-generated self-portrait, while resonating with traditional forms of self-representation, introduces a transformative dimension to this practice. It intersects the forefront of technological innovation with the time-honored pursuit of portraying the self, thus challenging conventional paradigms of art and identity. This digital portrayal, however, transcends mere visual aesthetics; it is imbued with the rich tapestry of my bicultural experiences, shaped profoundly by my formative years in China and my 3 year's stay in Japan.
The incorporation of Fushimi Inari's Torii gates into my digital self-portrait extends beyond the geographical and enters the symbolic domain, reflecting attributes associated with the Inari deity, notably abundance and aspiration. "This isn't the case at Fushimi, which houses nearly 10,000 vermilion torii gates scattered across the site. These torii were donated by worshippers who wanted to have a wish come true or had it fulfilled and gifted a gate in appreciation." ( Cali, Joseph, 2012) This cultural emblem, thus, is not merely a testament to my geographical presence within Japan but a profound affirmation of the cultural symbiosis that characterizes my identity.
As such, my digital identity, crafted within the virtual ecosystem, articulates a narrative that is unbounded by the constraints of physical characteristics such as skin color. It is, instead, a celebration of my unique cultural tapestry and linguistic dexterity, which together forge an identity distinguished by its richly layered and transnational essence. The aesthetic selection of Fushimi Inari as a backdrop in my digital self-representation is not simply a choice of visual impact but an intentional and contemplative decision that echoes your deep-seated reverence for the cultural and spiritual significance it embodies. Indeed, this choice not only enhances the visual narrative of digital persona but also encapsulates the profound intercultural connections that define my personal journey.
Incorporation of Feedback
The peer review brings enlightenment for me to formulate this post. Firstly, my peers suggested that I need to explore the specific cultural symbols and history of Fushimi Inari Shrine that shape how the selfie represents Japanese identity. Then I added an analysis of how the Torii gates contributes to the selfie's cultural meaning which strengthens my work. Also, I follow the professor's idea that utilize more transition to guarantee my logic guides the audience and use more varied sentence to demonstrate the academic writing. Furthermore, I deepen my engagement with academic literature. Equipped with the feedback, I strengthened the academic writing and add the added go beyond deep description to offer a nuanced perspective on the interplay between Japanese heritage, AI technology, and digital identity.
Ethical and Cultural Considerations
My ethical concerns about my selfie would be used without my consent and use it for market value in the given that publishing short video in TikTok would be engagement with numerous audiences . “Each privacy statement initially assures consumers of a commitment to privacy and subsequently dismantles any true protection of consumer data. [...] these privacy statements pose virtually no restriction on businesses to profit excessively from the collection and use of consumer information” (Fernback and Papacharissi 2007, 730). At cultural aspect, for individuals belonging to multiple cultures or living in diaspora, digital selfie offers a unique space tp explore and express complex cultural identities. It can be a method to connect with cultural heritage, cultural intersection, and share these experience with a broader audience.privacy state
ment initially assures consumers of a commitment to privacy and subsequently dismantles any true protection of consumer data. [...] these privacy statements pose virtually no restriction on businesses to profit excessively from the collection and use of consumer information” (Fernback and Papacharissi 2007, 730)Transliteracy
Indeed, the transition from a traditional academic paper to a blog format requires me to maintain academic language but also provide multimedia. To be specific, the blog enables me to incorporate various multimedia elements like image, TikTok short video, and screenshot. This is conductive to enhance the narrative and engage the audience with pinky font and vivid selfie. What is more, this shift to blog help me grasp the idea that blog should use catchy color for the subtitle and casual tone for the blog post, however, it remains academic rigor.
To sum up, creating digital selfie is brand new experience for me to demonstrate my digital identity. This led me to consider the authenticity of AI selfie given that it enhances my physical appearance with different lights, skin tones, and skin texture.
Reference
Hunter, Tatum. (2022). Ai selfies are flooding your feed. Here is what to know about Lensa. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/12/08/lensa-ai-portraits/
Javornik A., Marder B., Barhorst J. B., McLean G., Rogers Y., Marshall P., Warlop L. (2022). ‘What lies behind the filter?’ Uncovering the motivations for using augmented reality (AR) face filters on social media and their effect on well-being. Computers in Human Behavior, 128, 107126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2021.107126
Cali, Joseph, and John Dougill. Shinto shrines: a guide to the sacred sites of Japan's ancient religion. University of Hawaii Press, 2012.
Fernback, Jan and Zizi Papacharissi. 2007. Online privacy as legal safeguard: the relationship among consumer, online portal, and privacy policies. New Media & Society 9 (5): 715-734
Fuchs, C. (2010). Web 2.0, Prosumption, and Surveillance. Surveillance & Society, 8(3), 288–309. https://doi.org/10.24908/ss.v8i3.4165line portal, and
privacy policies. New Media & Society 9 (5): 715-734Fernback, Jan and Zizi Papacharissi. 2007. Online privacy as legal safeguard: the relationship among consumer, online portal, and privacy policies. New Media & Society 9 (5): 715-734
Fernback, Jan and Zizi Papacharissi. 2007. Online privacy as legal safeguard: the relationship among consumer, online portal, and privacy policies. New Media & Society 9 (5): 715-734
Fernback, Jan and Zizi Papacharissi. 2007. Online privacy as legal safeguard: the relationship among consumer, online portal, and privacy policies. New Media & Society 9 (5): 715-734
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