The perfect piece of postgraduate study after years of volunteer work at animal rescue centres and a degree in wildlife photography, I studied anthrozoology (human-animal studies). Combining a lifelong career in digital with research about our curious relationship with other animals, I came out with an offbeat collection of essays.
Animal 2.0
Abstract
The Internet has provided people with a new way to view animals, but how does our online activity compare to our offline viewing and do we witness a greater abundance of animal videos now than we have ever done historically? Experts have questioned whether the ethics of some traditional wildlife filmmakers are any better than the producers of animal videos shared online by amateurs, but the key consideration is how do we – if we can at all, censor and control animal footage? How does a digital audience react to animal footage and what draws the largest number of viewers? Evidence from YouTube suggests that the number of viewers does not equate to popularity and approval.
SIGN OF THE TIMES
It might have been 2011 when I was researching for Animal 2.0, but this perfect quote is as valid now as it was then:
“Some of the comments on YouTube make you weep for the future of humanity just for the spelling alone, never mind the obscenity and the naked hatred”
~ Lev Grossman, Time Magazine
These Modern Dogs
A modern day examination of domestication and human relationships with dogs, this one was published in Antennae: The Journal of Nature in Visual Culture.
As my personal life evolved around a more domesticated lifestyle too, I focused on writing and moved into copywriting, AI, and started work on an immersive experience.
