Women's Voices in the BlueWave Resistance on Twitter: Cruel Optimism

Twittering, particularly political tweeting among Democratic women, is an inherently optimistic act, according to Cynthia A. Davidson's book. She explores Twitter as a problematic object of desire and attachment, examines the rhetorical underpinnings of its discourse, and shows how women of this group use storytelling via Twitter as a way to make connections, be heard, and stay afloat in a status quo that perpetuates un-ease and precarious existence.

Format: Hardback
Length: 206 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

In her book, Cynthia A. Davidson makes a compelling argument that tweeting, particularly among Democratic women, is an inherently optimistic act. Davidson's analysis builds upon Lauren Berlant's assertion in Cruel Optimism (2011) that our deepest desires often stand in the way of our success, even when the subject of our conversations may be negative. Within the Democratic BlueWave Resistance community, narratives are crafted by its members to either uphold the primary purpose of the group, which is to support liberal democratic conventions and the associated issues, policies, and personalities, or to comfortably exist within the zone of support for these ideals.

Davidson employs a rich combination of specific examples, empirical data, and analysis framed by Berlant's theories, as well as primary and secondary sources from current journalism and scholarship, to explore Twitter as a problematic object of desire and attachment. She delves into the rhetorical underpinnings of its discourse and demonstrates how women within this group utilize storytelling on Twitter as a means to establish connections, gain visibility, and navigate a status quo that perpetuates unease and precarious existence.

This book holds particular appeal to scholars in the fields of media studies, gender studies, and political science, as it offers insightful perspectives and valuable insights into the dynamics of social media, gender roles, and political discourse.

Weight: 464g
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793633361