Ascend: Digital Reality Magazine by reynard mikael abuso

ascend REALITY

NOSTALGIC GAMES?!

FAKE NEWS?

D12B

VOLUME 1

DIGITAL

CONTENTS TABLE OF

ANOTHER U

TRUE SELF VS DIGITAL SELF

DIGITAL CULTURE IN OUR LIVES by Julia Lastino

DATING EXPLAINED by Meryll Sumalinog

UH...CAN YOU REPEAT THAT? by Amanda Martinez

EVERY POSITIVE HAS A NEGATIVE by Marie Pasco

by Julia Lastino by Shelley Larioza

AN INSIGHT TO FAKE NEWS

ORIGIN OF INTERNET TROLLS

I KNOW YOU SO WELL!

TRUST ME, I'M AN EXPERT

TIRING OF TRENDING

I-CHECK OUT NA 'YAN!

MISCELLANEOUS & MORE

by Audney Torres

by Reynard Abuso

by Meryll Sumalinog by Julia Lastino

by Shelley Larioza

by Amanda Martinez

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ANOTHER U BY JULIA LASTINO

In 2021, the movie Belle, by Mamoru Hosoda and Studio Chizu, was first released. It was dubbed as the modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast, where instead of talking household items and a witch’s curse, people are immersed in the vast world of an app called ‘U’. What it does is that it transports its users to a whole new world, where people interact with each other as their personas. The story follows Suzui, a regular girl living in the countryside with a painful past who, out of the blue, becomes a world-famous pop star with the help of her other self in the world of U. While watching the movie, it got me thinking: there are endless possibilities in the digital world. Like a clean slate, anyone can have full control over who they wish to be online. Whether it is filtering photos, painstakingly editing video footage and retrying that one TikTok dance over and over again just so that you get that one step, people make an effort to cater their content according to what they want people to see. With the combination of rising technology and time spent cooped up within the safe confines of our homes, digital culture boomed greatly. Content continues to flood the internet with each new trend that comes and goes with new users. Belle and "The Beast" from the movie's official trailer Like Suzu, the digital world is a place where people can explore and transform into someone completely different. It is a vast space full of potential where creativity and imagination is the limit. So turn on that headset, click that play button and go full screen mode as we scroll through the vast planes of the world beyond the screen.

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BY SHELLEY LARIOZA “Our daily lives now more deeply embody the idea of a digital self as opposed to a real person”.

PHOTO BY FINTHINKERS

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Our daily lives now more deeply embody the idea of a digital self as opposed to a real person. According to Mark Rolston, technology has altered humanity to such a level that it can be difficult to separate the digital version from the physical entity and the key to this evolution is data. Our deliberate use of technology results in an unintentional data trail that creates a digital shadow, which is a detailed depiction of who we are, how we think, and what we do in data. Our digital selves are virtual traces of our online personas that continue to remain long after we log off. Internet never forgets, and because of this permanence, it is so effective at creating a detailed picture of our lives. Companies can utilize this openly available and dispersed digital footprint to evaluate job applications for suitability. Of course, digital identities can also be used by criminals, for example, to determine when a person is away from home. Investigative journalism, for instance, may use it for research purposes. Social media is often misused. Many children, especially young girls—present themselves as individuals they are not. A healthy social media presence should be in line with a true sense of identity rather than presenting a

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fake persona. New research conducted by Girl Scouts stated that many teenagers are reinventing themselves. In a poll conducted in 2010 of more than 1,000 girls regarding their online personas. 74 percent of girls, "most girls my age use social networking sites to make themselves look cooler than they are."It has been stated that the social media impact uses likes, fans, comments, postings, etc. to create a false sense of self and self-esteem. Social media is an esteem booster for many users, which explains why millions of people spend so much time on it. It allows many people to have an exaggerated impression of their true selves and a false sense of self. As a result, our social media personas do not accurately reflect who we truly are. Seeing the underlying data that exists – which might be something around your demographic, where you live, your age, your online activity – it enables people to understand how their digital self will have formed. People can recognize the factors that contribute to this perception by becoming more aware of their digital selves and how they are perceived. It makes it easier for individuals to alter their online behavior so that it accurately represents who they are.

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BY JULIA LASTINO The rise of digital culture has had a profound impact on the way we live our lives. From social media to streaming platforms, technology has transformed the way we interact with others, entertain ourselves, and work. However, as with any major cultural shift, the effects of digital culture are complex and far-reaching. Here are some of the ways that digital culture is shaping our lives, and how we can navigate these changes in a healthy and productive way. Relationships One of the most significant impacts of digital culture is on our relationships. Social media has made it easier than ever to connect with people from all over the world, but it has also changed the way we communicate with each other. Studies have shown that social media use can lead to feelings of loneliness and social isolation, as well as anxiety and depression. However, it can also provide a sense of belonging and community for people who might otherwise feel disconnected from their peers. Mental Health The impact of digital culture on our mental health is another area of concern. Research has shown that excessive social media use can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression, as well as decreased self-esteem and body image issues. However, technology can also be used to promote mental wellness, with apps and online communities focused on meditation, mindfulness, and therapy. Work Digital culture has also transformed the way we work. With the rise of remote work and telecommuting, many people are now able to work from anywhere in the world, at any time of day. While this can provide greater flexibility and work-life balance, it can also lead to a blurring of the boundaries between work and personal life. Additionally, the constant connection to work through email and messaging apps can lead to increased stress and burnout. The impact of digital culture on our lives is complex and multifaceted. While it has brought many benefits, such as greater connectivity and access to information, it has also introduced new challenges and risks to our mental health, relationships, and work. By understanding these effects and taking steps to mitigate them, we can navigate the digital landscape in a healthy and productive way.

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DATING EXPLAINED BY MERYLL SUMALINOG

Dating is a social phenomenon that has been studied by sociologists for many years. It is a stepping stone in getting into a relationship, where individuals meet and get to know each other to establish a romantic relationship. Moreover, be partners that do not wish to date other people, are committed to each other, and intend to cultivate their shared connection. There are significant changes in how the dating scene has evolved over the years with changes in technology, social norms, and gender roles affecting how people approach dating. Nowadays, people tend to engage online where you can meet and be more accessible to society in finding your significant other. From a sociological perspective, different sociological theories can explain and understand this complex social phenomenon. Through a sociological study of dating, there is a topic of socialization. Socialization is a process where individuals learn about expected gender roles, family structures that differ from their own, and different attitudes, beliefs, and values. This provides an opportunity for both sexes to learn how to deal with friends and family of their future spouses. In the context of dating, this helps shape our expectations of what a romantic relationship should look like. For example, in some cultures, it is common for parents to arrange marriages for their children, while in others, individuals are expected to find their partners. These cultural norms and values can affect the way we approach dating and the expectations we have for our relationships.

Another is the social exchange theory. A concept based on the notion that a relationship between two people is created through a process of costbenefit analysis. This suggests that individuals are constantly weighing the potential benefits and drawbacks of their relationships. For example, if a person enters a new relationship after a succession of poor friendships or disastrous romantic relationships, that person’s expectations at the start of a new relationship are going to be lower than those of a person who has a tight group of friends. Conversely, if a person’s ex-girlfriend provided him with a ton of gifts and affection, he may enter into his next relationship expecting similar behaviors. Next is the feminist theory which appreciates gender inequality, and analyzes the societal roles played by feminists in a bid to promote the interests, issues, and rights of women in society. Thus, suggests that traditional gender roles and power imbalances can perpetuate inequality and lead to unequal outcomes in relationships. This focuses on discrimination based on sex and gender, objectification, economic inequality, power, gender role, and stereotypes.

Lastly, social stratification. This refers to differential access to resources, power, autonomy, and status across social groups. A ranking of people or groups of people within a society or hierarchy affects dating in terms of who we meet and date. For example, individuals with higher levels of education and income may be more likely to date others with similar backgrounds, leading to the perpetuation of social class inequalities. In summary, many sociological angles may be used to study the dating scene because it is a complicated social phenomenon. By examining concepts such as socialization, social exchange theory, gender roles, and social stratification, we can gain a better understanding of how individuals navigate the world of dating and the societal forces that shape their experiences. In the end, a sociological approach to the study of dating can aid us in better comprehending the complexities of romantic relationships and the role they play in our lives.

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UH...CAN YOU REPEAT THAT? BY AMANDA MARTINEZ

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Social media is used both to learn and to communicate with people in the

Social media has significantly improved communication and information sharing. It allows people to keep in touch with one another much quicker.

Philippines.

It has been observed that youths utilize social media sites like Facebook,

However, excessive

YouTube, TikTok, Google, Twitter, and Instagram. Since it gives students

use of social media

the freedom to enhance their education whenever they want, it has a big

has been identified

impact on their lives. Social media use is incredibly addicting, and if it is not properly controlled, it could negatively impact anyone.

among young people

Social media is used both to learn and to communicate with people in the Philippines. However, excessive use of social media has been identified among young people, which could affect how productively students complete assignments at home. Distractions from social media might interfere with learning. For instance, some people make use of playing online games as a source of relaxation, fun, and stress relief. Online gaming was developed as a result of this advancement to entertain people. Every young adult, however, has irregular eating schedules and gets just 1 to 3 hours of sleep each night in order to be ready to play again. In contrast, other research suggests that for best performance, teenagers need 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night. Teenagers who lack sufficient rest may have poorer grade point averages, learning difficulties, and a higher risk of failing their classes, which has an impact on their productivity at home. Tasks that require long periods of focus become more difficult as the result of a shorter attention span. Teens' usage of social media can also have a negative impact on them by keeping them awake at night, distracting them, and exposing them to peer pressure, rumors, bullying, and other negative activities. The amount of time adolescents use social media might have an impact on the risks. Students could, however, manage their time effectively in terms of using social media and doing assignments at home. It could also assist youth in completing responsibilities that must be done at home and need communication.

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ILLUSTRATION BY SHELLEY LARIOZA

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BY MARIE KEI PASCO The gift of technology and social media was both a gift and a curse because of its positive and negative effects on our culture, behavior, and lifestyle. We can see these effects as news travels fast through the help of technology and social media and continuously develops through the years of its invention. Technology and social media are part of our lives now and there is no way we can remove it from the people as it became popularized and standard as people generation. First to in bethis tackled is the negative side, social media can be harmful to one’s mental health and self-esteem as it sets the standards of beauty and perfection. Because of the offered freedom of social media, everyone can share their thoughts with portraits of themselves and everyone seemed to enjoy and “like” the post if that person passes their standard of beauty. Alongside it, it would become the standard of a human and criticize and judge a person if one doesn’t reach that standard which can be a form of cyberbullying. One would also feel bad about themselves if they don’t get the amount of “likes” and “hearts” they want based on a person they call the standard. Thanks to these circumstances, advocacy groups, and motivational groups were formed to promote different standards and different perspectives of beauty.

Many have encouraged supporting such groups that’s why these advocacies were known and are now being implemented and stop cyberbullying. With the mention of posting portraits, one can be also at risk of identity theft because of oversharing through social media. Sharing of milestones and experiences are fine not until an opportunity seeker takes advantage of it. Online scams and “catfishing” - when someone sets up a fake online profile to trick people who are looking for love, usually to get money out of them - are prevalent nowadays as inflation increases and minimum wages decrease. People tend to do this to earn and make a living. One can instantly steal your photos and information to scam people to get money or steal your identity to gain love and affection. Yes, it is common in this age that one steals your identity for love because one may be insecure about their appearance and personality that’s why they get what others have to gain a person to love.

"Everything must

moderation. Think

before

you click."

BUY NOW!

H HA AL LE ER RT T TO ENSURE YOUR ALERTNESS AND SAFETINESS

In conclusion, every positive effect has a negative effect if it is overused. Everything must be in moderation to avoid this situation from happening. It may be hard to stop yourself from sharing too much but there are ways to avoid the risk of social media like switching your social media profile to private or sharing your post strictly to your friends only. Technology is evolving day by day and stricter privacy settings and options are also invented and if we don’t opt to use them then risk is always present.

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An Insight to Fake News and its Seriousness BY AUDNEY TORRES Fake news is categorized as false or misleading information presented as truthful news. Fake news often has the aim of damaging the reputation of a person or organization and making money through advertising revenue. Over the years, fake news has been prominently used by selfish individuals for reasons ranging from simply causing chaos and controversy for fun (trolling), to purposely disseminating false information with the goal of eradicating unfavorable circumstances for certain people. Nowadays, with the recent growth of social media, particularly Facebook, the incidence of fake news has skyrocketed, and this false information is progressively making its way into the mainstream media. A number of elements, including political polarization, post-truth politics, motivated reasoning, confirmation bias, and social media algorithms, have been linked to the propagation of false news. Additionally, this kind of disinformation involves disseminating false information with malicious intent and is occasionally created and spread by adversarial forces, especially during elections. Some definitions of fake news include articles that use sensationalist or clickbait headlines without any supporting text, as well as satirical pieces that are mistaken for the real thing. The popularity of social media as a medium for information and a method of communication led to Filipinos' dependence on these sites as sources of daily news. Facebook is the most popular news source for 72% of Filipinos, who also use Twitter and Instagram. However, a problem arises when news obtained from these platforms is unreliable, false, or deceptive. The spread of false information on social media platforms has raised several concerns throughout

the years. The best these platforms can do to combat false news is significantly reduce the post's reach, temporarily or permanently suspend the account, or remove the content, if required. Beyond these platforms, however, the user who published the false information online lacks accountability. As a result, those who spread incorrect information online are not hesitant to set up fictitious profiles and upload inaccurate or misleading content. An example that grasps the seriousness of fake news would be how, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, candidates for the elections back in May 2022 switched to online campaigns. These politicians thus became one of the prime targets for spreaders of false information on social media sites. Because social media platforms don't hold users accountable and users have complete freedom to post whatever they want, fake news that either enhances or damages a candidate's reputation has become very common. To summarize, fake news will remain a serious threat due to the current state of our society's reliance on social media. However, it can be easily combated by spreading awareness and educating citizens to be well rounded when it comes to analyzing any information presented through social media.

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Origin of Internet Trolls BY MIKAEL ABUSO The rise of the internet has provided unprecedented access to information and communication for people around the world. However, it has also given birth to a new phenomenon known as "internet trolls." These individuals thrive on spreading false information, creating chaos and controversy, and causing harm to others. This behavior is not limited to Filipinos, but it has been observed in various cultures and societies. In the Philippines, the spread of fake news and the manipulation of news has become a significant concern. Many Filipinos have fallen victim to false information spread by trolls, causing them to make decisions based on inaccurate information. The question arises, how are internet trolls born, and what motivates them to engage in this type of behavior? Internet trolls are typically individuals who seek attention, power, and control over others. They are often anonymous and use the internet as a platform to spread their false information and hateful messages. Trolling behavior is a form of cyberbullying, and it can have severe consequences for both the victim and the troll. In the Philippines, some trolls are motivated by political or financial gain. They are paid by politicians or interest groups to spread false information and manipulate public opinion. These trolls may also be motivated by a desire for power or control, using their influence to sway public opinion and gain a sense of superiority over others.

Another factor that contributes to the rise of internet trolls is the anonymity provided by the internet. Many trolls feel emboldened to engage in this behavior because they are not held accountable for their actions. The anonymity also allows them to avoid social consequences, such as losing friends or facing legal action. Finally, the spread of fake news and the manipulation of news can also contribute to the rise of internet trolls. When people are exposed to false information, they may become angry, frustrated, or confused. This can lead to a desire to engage in trolling behavior as a way to vent their emotions and take out their frustration on others. Internet trolls are born out of a desire for attention, power, and control over others. In the Philippines, trolls are often motivated by political or financial gain, a desire for power or control, anonymity, and exposure to false information. As individuals, we must be vigilant in identifying and combating trolling behavior to ensure that the internet remains a safe and constructive space for communication and information exchange.

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BY MERYLL SUMALINOG A parasocial relationship is a onesided relationship formed when one party extends energy, interest, and time and the other person doesn’t know they exist, such as media personalities or characters, such as celebrities, news anchors, or fictional characters. In today's society, this is a normal relationship that we create as social creatures where we feel that we are related to one another. There are negative and positive aspects towards this topic and have significant effects on our attitudes and behaviors. Social media has an impact on the study of parasocial phenomena. The platforms provide opportunities for people to develop and sustain psychological connections with a wide range of people with whom they do not have reciprocal relationships. The algorithms are designed to provide users with personalized content that aligns with their interests and preferences. This means that individuals who follow specific media figures are more likely

to receive content that features these figures, leading to an increased sense of connection and investment in the media figures. For example, individuals can comment on media figures' posts, send direct messages, or participate in live streams. The relationship of parasocial to society are both positive and negative. On the positive side, these relationships can provide individuals with a sense of connection, inspiration, and entertainment. They can help fulfill the need for social connection and companionship, inspire and motivate individuals to achieve their goals, and provide entertainment that can help reduce stress and enhance mood. However, on the negative side, parasocial relationships can create unrealistic expectations of media figures, be time-consuming, and lead to emotional dependency, which can be harmful to mental health. Therefore, it is important to understand these potential positive and negative aspects of parasocial relationships

The algorithms are designed to provide users with personalized content that aligns with their interests and preferences.

and to find a healthy balance between forming these relationships and maintaining reallife relationships and activities. To conclude, parasocial relationships are a complex social phenomenon that can have both positive and negative effects. While these relationships can provide individuals with a sense of connection and belonging, they can also lead to unrealistic expectations and may detract from real-life relationships and activities. As media continues to play an increasingly important role in our lives, it is important to understand the factors that contribute to the formation of parasocial relationships and the potential consequences of these relationships.

ILL. BY VICKY LETA

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"Trust me, I'm an expert!" BY JULIA LASTINO Streaming platforms have revolutionized the way we consume media, making it easier and more accessible for people to watch their favorite shows. However, the rise of social media platforms like TikTok has also brought about a new trend: self-diagnosing culture. Many teenagers and young adults have taken to the platform to share their experiences with mental health and to self-diagnose their own conditions. While there are benefits to this trend, such as increasing awareness and reducing stigma surrounding mental health issues, there are also potential risks to self-diagnosing without professional guidance. On the one hand, self-diagnosing on TikTok can be empowering for individuals who may not have access to healthcare or who are too afraid or ashamed to seek help. TikTok and other social media platforms have created a space for people to openly discuss their mental health struggles and connect with others who may be going through similar experiences. On the other hand, self-diagnosing can also be dangerous. Misdiagnosis and self-medication can lead to worsening symptoms and potential harm to the individual. Additionally, self-diagnosing can sometimes lead to a "labeling effect," where individuals may exaggerate or even fabricate symptoms in order to fit into a certain diagnosis. This can be harmful not only to the individual, but also to those who may genuinely suffer from the diagnosed condition. As social beings, we find it easy to place ourselves in the shoes of others. Relating our experiences with other people is one of our ways to feel connected to the world around us. Nevertheless, there are serious risks when it comes to labeling ourselves as having a specific illness, just because a trending TikTok says so. The best way to take care of our mental health is to not blindly believe what we see on the internet and when in doubt, consult a professional.