James N Gilmore
@jamesngilmore.bsky.social
Associate Professor, Communication, Clemson University
Media & Technology Studies
New book: Bringers of Order: Wearable technologies and the manufacturing of everyday life (UC Press, 2025)
Media & Technology Studies
New book: Bringers of Order: Wearable technologies and the manufacturing of everyday life (UC Press, 2025)
Pinned
Hi BlueSky! I'm a Communication professor who studies technology and culture. My work is mostly about wearable technologies, digital platforms, and how they "datafy" human processes and behaviors. I'm looking forward to rebuilding my network here after 2 years away from most social media! ✌️
I still remember the first time I watched All the President’s Men, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, The Natural, and All is Lost. Redford was absolutely magnetic, electric, and he used his iconicity to grow independent film through Sundance. One of the greatest to ever do it.
September 16, 2025 at 12:54 PM
I still remember the first time I watched All the President’s Men, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, The Natural, and All is Lost. Redford was absolutely magnetic, electric, and he used his iconicity to grow independent film through Sundance. One of the greatest to ever do it.
This week on Culture Critically, @aspyle.bsky.social joins us to talk about the relationships between crisis communication and critical analysis
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
Episode 03: Crisis Communication w/ Dr. Andrew Pyle
Podcast Episode · Culture Critically · 09/04/2025 · 53m
podcasts.apple.com
September 4, 2025 at 5:47 PM
This week on Culture Critically, @aspyle.bsky.social joins us to talk about the relationships between crisis communication and critical analysis
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
On the latest episode of Culture Critically, we're joined by Dr. Brandon Boatwright to talk about why social media research matters, and some of the challenges it faces in the current social media ecosystem.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
Episode 02: Social media research w/ Brandon Boatwright
Podcast Episode · Culture Critically · 08/21/2025 · 46m
podcasts.apple.com
August 21, 2025 at 1:14 PM
On the latest episode of Culture Critically, we're joined by Dr. Brandon Boatwright to talk about why social media research matters, and some of the challenges it faces in the current social media ecosystem.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
I'm relaunching my podcast! Culture Critically will return with episodes every other week. Want to come on and talk about anything related to media, technology, or popular culture? Let's connect and discuss big ideas!
culturecritically.wordpress.com/2025/08/14/c...
culturecritically.wordpress.com/2025/08/14/c...
Culture Critically ep 01: “…And we’re back!”
We’re relaunching the Culture Critically podcast! This quick intro episode welcomes listeners back to the show as we gear up to feature guests and discussion in the weeks ahead.
culturecritically.wordpress.com
August 14, 2025 at 2:04 PM
I'm relaunching my podcast! Culture Critically will return with episodes every other week. Want to come on and talk about anything related to media, technology, or popular culture? Let's connect and discuss big ideas!
culturecritically.wordpress.com/2025/08/14/c...
culturecritically.wordpress.com/2025/08/14/c...
No, we don’t need to encourage datafication and “wellness tracking” as the basis of a new surveillance state
RFK Jr: "My vision that is every American is wearing a wearable within four years."
June 24, 2025 at 5:50 PM
No, we don’t need to encourage datafication and “wellness tracking” as the basis of a new surveillance state
Reposted by James N Gilmore
A week after Disney and Universal filed a landmark lawsuit against Midjourney, the generative AI startup’s new V1 video tool will make clips of Shrek, Deadpool, and other famous creations. www.wired.com/story/midjou...
‘Wall-E With a Gun’: Midjourney Generates Videos of Disney Characters Amid Massive Copyright Lawsuit
A week after Disney and Universal filed a landmark lawsuit against Midjourney, the generative AI startup’s new V1 video tool will make clips of Shrek, Deadpool, and other famous creations.
www.wired.com
June 20, 2025 at 9:17 PM
A week after Disney and Universal filed a landmark lawsuit against Midjourney, the generative AI startup’s new V1 video tool will make clips of Shrek, Deadpool, and other famous creations. www.wired.com/story/midjou...
Reposted by James N Gilmore
The Minnesota shooter apparently used data broker websites to find the home addresses of the people he shot and murdered.
Congress has had years to do something about data brokers and they've sided with the tech lobby over and over again.
Their inaction is deadly.
Congress has had years to do something about data brokers and they've sided with the tech lobby over and over again.
Their inaction is deadly.
June 16, 2025 at 10:56 PM
The Minnesota shooter apparently used data broker websites to find the home addresses of the people he shot and murdered.
Congress has had years to do something about data brokers and they've sided with the tech lobby over and over again.
Their inaction is deadly.
Congress has had years to do something about data brokers and they've sided with the tech lobby over and over again.
Their inaction is deadly.
Reposted by James N Gilmore
I'm a metrics skeptic. More info ain't always better.
Smartwatches promise all kinds of improvements − 5 things users should keep in mind theconversation.com/smartwatches... by @jamesngilmore.bsky.social
"A little skepticism goes a long way: It can challenge inflated promises and protect users."
Smartwatches promise all kinds of improvements − 5 things users should keep in mind theconversation.com/smartwatches... by @jamesngilmore.bsky.social
"A little skepticism goes a long way: It can challenge inflated promises and protect users."
Smartwatches promise all kinds of quality-of-life improvements − here are 5 things users should keep in mind
As wearable technologies become more popular, it’s important to consider how they actually work and what their data actually tells us.
theconversation.com
May 15, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I'm a metrics skeptic. More info ain't always better.
Smartwatches promise all kinds of improvements − 5 things users should keep in mind theconversation.com/smartwatches... by @jamesngilmore.bsky.social
"A little skepticism goes a long way: It can challenge inflated promises and protect users."
Smartwatches promise all kinds of improvements − 5 things users should keep in mind theconversation.com/smartwatches... by @jamesngilmore.bsky.social
"A little skepticism goes a long way: It can challenge inflated promises and protect users."
It me
Smartwatches promise health insights, but you need to be aware of their limitations. A wearable tech expert breaks down 5 things to be aware of, from step counting inaccuracy to data privacy concerns. buff.ly/HWCc5BL
@jamesngilmore.bsky.social, Clemson University
@jamesngilmore.bsky.social, Clemson University
Smartwatches promise all kinds of quality-of-life improvements − here are 5 things users should keep in mind
As wearable technologies become more popular, it’s important to consider how they actually work and what their data actually tells us.
buff.ly
May 13, 2025 at 9:51 AM
It me
New article in @theconversation.com summarizing some of the ideas from my book about the gaps between how we imagine smartwatches and their actual functionality, and why it's worth being skeptical about the ostensible 'magic' of our devices:
theconversation.com/smartwatches...
theconversation.com/smartwatches...
Smartwatches promise all kinds of quality-of-life improvements − here are 5 things users should keep in mind
As wearable technologies become more popular, it’s important to consider how they actually work and what their data actually tells us.
theconversation.com
May 12, 2025 at 12:37 PM
New article in @theconversation.com summarizing some of the ideas from my book about the gaps between how we imagine smartwatches and their actual functionality, and why it's worth being skeptical about the ostensible 'magic' of our devices:
theconversation.com/smartwatches...
theconversation.com/smartwatches...
Reposted by James N Gilmore
This is so damning - Apple used its copywriting prowess to make the web itself sound unsafe www.theverge.com/apple/659296...
May 1, 2025 at 12:17 PM
This is so damning - Apple used its copywriting prowess to make the web itself sound unsafe www.theverge.com/apple/659296...
I've just signed a contract with DeGruyter to produce a Handbook of Wearable Technologies and Society - a global, first-of-its-kind collection of essays on how to study wearables featuring over 30 chapters. I'll be working on this for the next two years, and I'm so excited to see it come together!
April 29, 2025 at 8:20 PM
I've just signed a contract with DeGruyter to produce a Handbook of Wearable Technologies and Society - a global, first-of-its-kind collection of essays on how to study wearables featuring over 30 chapters. I'll be working on this for the next two years, and I'm so excited to see it come together!
Reposted by James N Gilmore
Do Customs and Border Protection officials have the authority to search your phone at the border? Short answer? Yes.
Here’s what you can do to protect your digital life while at the US border.
Here’s what you can do to protect your digital life while at the US border.
How to Protect Yourself From Phone Searches at the US Border
Customs and Border Protection has broad authority to search travelers’ devices when they cross into the United States. Here’s what you can do to protect your digital life while at the US border.
wrd.cm
April 26, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Do Customs and Border Protection officials have the authority to search your phone at the border? Short answer? Yes.
Here’s what you can do to protect your digital life while at the US border.
Here’s what you can do to protect your digital life while at the US border.
I'm so pumped to see this article published in Convergence! A team of four amazing graduate students and I examined 366 policy statements and teaching/research guides from 148 R1 universities written across 2023.
April 24, 2025 at 3:06 PM
I'm so pumped to see this article published in Convergence! A team of four amazing graduate students and I examined 366 policy statements and teaching/research guides from 148 R1 universities written across 2023.
Reposted by James N Gilmore
The co-founder of Instagram Kevin Systrom testified on Tuesday in a landmark federal antitrust trial that his startup was starved of resources after Meta bought it because Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive, was afraid of the success of the photo-sharing app.
At Meta Trial, Instagram Co-Founder Says Startup Was Denied Resources
Kevin Systrom said during testimony in a landmark antitrust trial that he believed Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s chief executive, viewed Instagram as a threat.
www.nytimes.com
April 22, 2025 at 8:49 PM
The co-founder of Instagram Kevin Systrom testified on Tuesday in a landmark federal antitrust trial that his startup was starved of resources after Meta bought it because Mark Zuckerberg, the chief executive, was afraid of the success of the photo-sharing app.
www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
Datafication leads to population-scale surveillance over and over and over.
Datafication leads to population-scale surveillance over and over and over.
RFK Jr.'s autism study to amass medical records of many Americans
The autism study is planning to link confidential data "with broad coverage in the U.S. population" in one place for the first time.
www.cbsnews.com
April 22, 2025 at 8:07 PM
www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-...
Datafication leads to population-scale surveillance over and over and over.
Datafication leads to population-scale surveillance over and over and over.
Reposted by James N Gilmore
A federal judge mostly sided with the Justice Department in a case about online advertising that could reshape the basic economics of running a modern website. via @kqednews.kqed.org
Google’s Ad Dominance Is Illegal, Federal Judge Rules | KQED
A federal judge ruled Thursday that Google is operating an illegal monopoly in online advertising technology.
www.kqed.org
April 17, 2025 at 10:32 PM
A federal judge mostly sided with the Justice Department in a case about online advertising that could reshape the basic economics of running a modern website. via @kqednews.kqed.org
Just accepted in Convergence: "Technology acceptance, moral panic, and perceived ease of use: Negotiating ChatGPT at research one universities" - a really cool study of policies and teaching resources across 140+ universities I did with a team of four graduate students. Published soon!
April 10, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Just accepted in Convergence: "Technology acceptance, moral panic, and perceived ease of use: Negotiating ChatGPT at research one universities" - a really cool study of policies and teaching resources across 140+ universities I did with a team of four graduate students. Published soon!
Reposted by James N Gilmore
As Elon Musk's DOGE continues to slash through the federal government, Democrats in the US Senate are calling for an update to 1974 legislation to restrict government use of personal data and introduce new penalties, including prison time, for violations.
Democratic Senators Call for Privacy Act Reform in Response to DOGE Takeover
As Elon Musk's DOGE continues to slash through the federal government, Democrats in the US Senate are calling for an update to 1974 legislation to restrict government use of personal data and introduce...
wrd.cm
March 31, 2025 at 8:46 PM
As Elon Musk's DOGE continues to slash through the federal government, Democrats in the US Senate are calling for an update to 1974 legislation to restrict government use of personal data and introduce new penalties, including prison time, for violations.
Reposted by James N Gilmore
Apple fined $162 million for hurting app developers with ‘excessively complex’ privacy options
Apple fined $162 million for hurting app developers with ‘excessively complex’ privacy options
Apple isn’t required to make any changes, though.
buff.ly
March 31, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Apple fined $162 million for hurting app developers with ‘excessively complex’ privacy options
Reposted by James N Gilmore
If you don’t understand how digital tech is changing, you’ll be swallowed by it. From post-quantum algorithms and thermodynamic hardware to open source architectures and apocalypse-proof programming, WIRED journeys to the freaky frontiers of modern computing.
How to Get Computers—Before Computers Get You
If you don’t understand how digital tech is changing, you’ll be swallowed by it. From post-quantum algorithms and thermodynamic hardware to open source architectures and apocalypse-proof programming,…
www.wired.com
March 31, 2025 at 2:43 PM
If you don’t understand how digital tech is changing, you’ll be swallowed by it. From post-quantum algorithms and thermodynamic hardware to open source architectures and apocalypse-proof programming, WIRED journeys to the freaky frontiers of modern computing.
Reposted by James N Gilmore
R.I.P. Robert McChesney, the great leftist media critic and scholar
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Robert McChesney, the Great Champion of Journalism and Democracy, Has Died
The academic and activist inspired generations of people to challenge corporate power and support a media reform movement that lives on.
www.thenation.com
March 27, 2025 at 2:11 PM
R.I.P. Robert McChesney, the great leftist media critic and scholar
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Reposted by James N Gilmore
SCOOP: WIRED has found four new Venmo accounts that appear to be associated with Trump officials who were in an infamous Signal chat. One made a payment with a note consisting solely of an eggplant emoji.
Even More Venmo Accounts Tied to Trump Officials in Signal Group Chat Left Data Public
WIRED has found four new Venmo accounts that appear to be associated with Trump officials who were in an infamous Signal chat. One made a payment with a note consisting solely of an eggplant emoji.
www.wired.com
March 27, 2025 at 9:53 PM
SCOOP: WIRED has found four new Venmo accounts that appear to be associated with Trump officials who were in an infamous Signal chat. One made a payment with a note consisting solely of an eggplant emoji.