The Importance of Belonging in the Digital Age
The Disappearance of Online Communities
On a fateful day in May 2007, LiveJournal users witnessed a startling phenomenon: journals and communities vanished into thin air. The affected content became inaccessible, silenced, and crossed out with a single line. In an attempt to remove inappropriate content, the platform inadvertently targeted posts by survivors of rape, incest, abuse, and violence. This mass exodus of users led to the creation of alternative platforms like DreamWidth, Archive of Our Own, and the “, all of which continue to thrive today.
The Unease of Relying on Corporations for Personal Writing
While storing personal writing on major corporate platforms has become commonplace, there remains an underlying unease. For authors who delve into sensitive topics like sexuality or queer individuals seeking to find their voice, the threat of content being flagged as “inappropriate” can have a chilling effect. Bestselling pseudonymous author Chuck Tingle emphasizes that companies like Google now function as essential utilities, akin to water and electricity.
Tingle’s journey is a testament to the power of online platforms. His “Tinglers,” self-published erotica pieces on Amazon Kindle Singles, paved the way for his contract with Macmillan for the queer horror novels Camp Damascus and Bury Your Gays. Despite their rough, “punk rock” nature, these early works helped Tingle build a community around the “underdog genres” of erotica, horror, and comedy. Losing the ability to sell his Tinglers on Amazon would be a significant setback, even with his current book deal.
The Dual Meaning of “Appropriate”
The word “appropriate” carries two distinct usages and meanings. As an adjective, it describes suitability in context, as seen in the message Google sent to Renee. As a verb, it aligns more closely with its Latin origin, appropriatus, signifying “to make one’s own” or ”to take possession of.” Whether discussing cultural appropriation or real estate, the term implies a transfer of ownership. Both meanings stem from the Latin word privus, which also gave rise to the words private, property, and proper. Ultimately, these words all revolve around the concept of belonging.
The Importance of Organization for Disabled Individuals
For Renee, a disabled writer, accessibility, infrastructure, and organization are paramount. She meticulously tracks not only her word count but also her meals, moods, and medications. As someone who lives with chronic pain and invisible illnesses, Renee has faced disbelief and gatekeeping when using mobility aids like canes, wheelchairs, or forearm crutches as a young adult. She incorporates similar experiences into her fiction to spark conversations about disability and its perception.
If even one person second-guesses the way they think about disability, I feel my writing has done what it needs to do.
Renee’s goal is to open minds and challenge preconceptions through her published work. Until the incident with Google Docs, she had the data to support her hypothesis in the form of engaging comment threads between readers and herself.
In the digital age, the concept of belonging takes on new dimensions. As we entrust our personal writing and communities to corporate platforms, we must remain vigilant about the potential risks and consequences. The stories of individuals like Renee and Chuck Tingle highlight the importance of preserving spaces for diverse voices and the power of online platforms to foster belonging and understanding.
1 Comment
Locked out, or maybe the universe telling them to take a break from clichés?