Cloud Civilisations

Yung Lo

Exploring ordinary human experiences of the digital, unpacking our bizarre lives in the cloud. Venture into social media subcultures, anecdotal stories of digital tools, to people’s opinions on digital phenomena with host Yung Lo. Let’s dive into the humanly digital. (Cover art by Athena Luk Wing Hei)

  1. 11/07/2024

    Clicks & Capital: Crypto and not-so-alternative forms of value creation

    In this fifth and final episode, we delve into crypto finance—an alternative to traditional monetary systems driven by decentralized blockchain technology. Crypto has proven to attract investors with wide-ranging ideologies around value creation, including some users viewing it as a hedge against existing financial structures. We also explore how decentralized finance (DeFi) challenges traditional notions of money and its potential to subvert existing capitalist institutions. *** This is Clicks & Capital, a five-part series from the archives recorded in November 2023, exploring the role of digital technologies in individuals’ finances. I spoke with ⁠Anna Rohmann⁠ about her PhD research on this.  *** Anna Rohmann (she/her) is doing anthropological research at Goldsmiths and works as Associate Lecturer across multiple universities of the University of London. Her PhD project examines financial technology and (digital) financial inclusion through ethnographic and intersectional frameworks. She focuses on the interplay between retail investors, start-ups, content creators, technologies, and wider socio-economic structures. Her broader research interests lie at the intersection of the (digitized) economy with language, queerness, online communities, and social change. Anna is on the editorial board of Anthways Journal, a Research & Marketing Coordinator for the Political Economy Research Center (PERC), and a member of the TikTok Ethnography Collective. *** Sources used in this episode:  Asgari, N. and Schmitt, W. (2024). Bitcoin hits record above $75,000 as crypto industry celebrates Trump win. [online] @FinancialTimes. Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/bdc3311d-3a29-4a3a-82e7-d646bc065dce [Accessed 6 Nov. 2024]. McDonagh, S. (2024). Bitcoin Soars Past $75K as Trump Win Fuels Crypto Optimism. [online] Newsweek. Available at: https://www.newsweek.com/crypto-bitcoin-price-surge-trump-election-elon-musk-1981325 [Accessed 7 Nov. 2024].

    14 min
  2. 11/07/2024

    Clicks & Capital: Inequality & 'FinTech Feminism' for financial inclusion

    In this fourth episode, we address how social stratification—such as gender, race, and class—has historically shaped inequality in retail investing and financial literacy. We focus on gender and discuss what forms of ‘FinTech Feminism’ are out there currently. While it aims to empower women and promote financial inclusion, there are potential downsides to this trend. Like inadvertently exposing marginalised groups who already face compounded disadvantages to the greater financial risk inherent to investment systems. *** This is Clicks & Capital, a five-part series from the archives recorded in November 2023, exploring the role of digital technologies in individuals’ finances. I spoke with ⁠Anna Rohmann⁠ about her PhD research on this.  *** Anna Rohmann (she/her) is doing anthropological research at Goldsmiths and works as Associate Lecturer across multiple universities of the University of London. Her PhD project examines financial technology and (digital) financial inclusion through ethnographic and intersectional frameworks. She focuses on the interplay between retail investors, start-ups, content creators, technologies, and wider socio-economic structures. Her broader research interests lie at the intersection of the (digitized) economy with language, queerness, online communities, and social change. Anna is on the editorial board of Anthways Journal, a Research & Marketing Coordinator for the Political Economy Research Center (PERC), and a member of the TikTok Ethnography Collective.

    16 min
  3. 11/07/2024

    Clicks & Capital: The GameStop Scandal - A new look at ‘moral economy’?

    This is Clicks & Capital, a five-part series from the archives recorded in November 2023, exploring the role of digital technologies in individuals’ finances. I spoke with Anna Rohmann about her PhD research on this.  *** In this first episode, we explore what inspired Anna's research: the GameStop short squeeze in January 2021, where retail investors on Reddit challenged Wall Street hedge funds. We recap the saga and discuss its implications for anthropologists and social scientists studying financial systems in the digital age, introducing concepts like the 'moral economy.' *** Anna Rohmann (she/her) is doing anthropological research at Goldsmiths and works as Associate Lecturer across multiple universities of the University of London. Her PhD project examines financial technology and (digital) financial inclusion through ethnographic and intersectional frameworks. She focuses on the interplay between retail investors, start-ups, content creators, technologies, and wider socio-economic structures. Her broader research interests lie at the intersection of the (digitized) economy with language, queerness, online communities, and social change. Anna is on the editorial board of Anthways Journal, a Research & Marketing Coordinator for the Political Economy Research Center (PERC), and a member of the TikTok Ethnography Collective. *** Sources used in this episode:  CNBC (2021). GameStop Mania: How Reddit Traders Took On Wall Street. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8rwmS4Y17c [Accessed 28 Sep. 2024]. ‌CNN (2021). Investors on Reddit send GameStop stock soaring. [online] YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nKQ90CzxgM [Accessed 28 Sep. 2024]. Financial Times (2021). GameStop stock short squeeze: Reddit traders take GME on a wild ride I FT Film. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzL5OLCwSPY [Accessed 28 Sep. 2024].  Hughes, J., N. Megaw and M. Darbyshire (2018). Financial Times. [online] Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/8102fc65-0879-4b88-b3c6-097447a61f7d [Accessed 16 Nov. 2023]. Sony Pictures Entertainment (2023). DUMB MONEY - Official Trailer (HD). [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmr8YmwnZ3w [Accessed 14 Oct. 2023].

    19 min
  4. 11/16/2023

    Mastering the Digital: Astrology, Spirituality and Magic in the Internet Age (ft. Eylül)

    We’ve reached Episode 7 of my Mastering the Digital series, where digital anthropologists and I deep dive into their diverse research projects. The popularity of astrology online initially inspired this week’s guest to embark on her research project exploring the magic of the online realm and spirituality in the Internet age. I spoke with Eylül Bombacı, a researcher, anthropologist and editor; previously, her background was in sociology and psychology. She has experience in market research, writing and editing, as well as copywriting and music. Her research interests include religion, technology, art and mental health. She has been writing for different magazines as a freelance writer and worked as a market researcher before pursuing her master's degree. Some key takeaways: Traditionally in anthropology (and perhaps also in popular beliefs), societies without technologies like the Internet and an industrial capitalist economy are seen as ‘pre-modern.’ They are considered more ‘enchanted’ (aka more in touch with spirituality) compared to ‘modern’ societies. However, users of social media apps like TikTok, or the popular astrology app CoStar, may see things differently; they still practice spirituality, but how they are ‘enchanted’ is just digitally mediated these days. But there are also others engaging with spirituality today who reject digital technologies; this ties in with their wider beliefs on well-being and how they relate to the larger universe. Connect with Eylül via: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eylulbombaci/

    17 min

About

Exploring ordinary human experiences of the digital, unpacking our bizarre lives in the cloud. Venture into social media subcultures, anecdotal stories of digital tools, to people’s opinions on digital phenomena with host Yung Lo. Let’s dive into the humanly digital. (Cover art by Athena Luk Wing Hei)