social media Archives

Does India Deserve the Internet Freedom it Enjoys?

It might seem shocking, given how some of our ministers think the internet was invented during the Mahabharata, but the Indian internet is actually a marvel – compared to the EU and USA, who are considering draconian copyright laws and doing away with net neutrality respectively.

Dushyant Shekhawat July 29, 2016

POV

Fake News and the Case of the Internet Police Gone Rogue

In the Cambridge Analytica exposé, Facebook has been negligent with sensitive data. Google was fined €2.42 billion by the EU for manipulating search engine results to favour its own shopping service. Do they then have a moral right to carry out the function of being the internet police?

Hardik Rajgor July 24, 2016

POV

Main Aur Meri Tanhai: Instagram’s “Ask Me a Question” Feature is Peak Loneliness

Instagram once saved us from the mundane mediocrity of Facebook, one pretty photo at a time. But its new “Ask Me a Question” feature is the epitome of modern loneliness: A way to convince yourself that your followers are actually interested in your life.

Runa Mukherjee July 21, 2016

Gender

Anushka Sharma’s Trolls Prove That India Can’t Handle Real “Power Couples”

Anushka Sharma is facing yet another social media backlash – this time for being photographed with the Indian cricket team. Anushka can’t seem to catch a break. When Virat Kohli is not in his finest form, we believe blaming Anushka for existing is par for the course.

Kahini Iyer July 20, 2016

Technology

Mastodon is Temporary, Twitter is Permanent: Why Social Networks Aren’t Easily Replaced

Many are calling Mastodon a better version of Twitter — sans the hate and trolls. Alas, reality is going to be a lot harsher. Those who think it’s going to be a panacea for “Twitter’s evils” are likely to be very disappointed.

Deepak Gopalakrishnan July 5, 2016

POV

What Cringing at Old Social Media Posts Taught Me about Adulting

My old social media posts, especially those on Facebook often feel like a nightmarish journey back in time. But they are also clues to the way we absorb the world and learn to eventually, navigate it as adults.

Yashodhara Sirur July 1, 2016

POV

Is Botox to a 40-year-old, What a Bikini Wax Is to a 25-year-old?

I do not hold a high-profile, high-maintenance job. And I am certainly not a star who needs to look radiant every single day. I’m an average, middle-class woman in her 40s. Am I still eligible for that botox shot?

Chandrima Pal June 25, 2016

POV

Surf Excel Outrage: How to Make the Perfect Ad for Supersensitive Indians

The Surf Excel Holi ad seems innocent enough, but somehow the idea that two children of different faiths could be cordial in a fictional setting triggered a very vocal section of social media. The only safe option is a 30-second PSA explaining the benefits of participating in Holi on our souls narrated by Amitabh Bachchan.

Arré Bench June 23, 2016

Pop Culture

The Lost Art of Trolling

Back in the day, trolling was a sophisticated art form. Today, it has been reduced to boring screaming matches. The surrealism has practically vanished.

Akhil Sood June 19, 2016