Cloud Civilisations

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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/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].

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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/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.

Clicks & Capital: FinTech apps and ‘financialization from below’

In this third episode, we discuss FinTech apps and how they influence people’s perception & relation to finance. By considering the physical or embodied experience of FinTech apps, we consider their additional effects on individuals. We explore how the glitzy promise of new technology is seen to positively democratise financial wealth for the people; however, this may still result in power inequalities. *** 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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/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.

Clicks & Capital: MoneyTok & MoneyGram - How social media reshapes financial ‘literacy’

In this second episode, we look at how social media has affected financial literacy. Platforms and finance influencers (or Finfluencers) have changed how people learn about finance, lowering barriers to financial knowledge and redefining who financial ‘experts’ are. Digital content like memes also play a role in socialising people into financial subjects. *** 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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/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.

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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/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 [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 [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 [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 [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].