Social networks are more than simply a ‘tool’ as Morozov refers to them as. They have the power to engage and connect people globally, and allow even the most timid of users, to have a voice and be part of revolutionising communities.
Thanks to SNS like Facebook and Twitter, I would say I am better educated on happenings that occur around the world. I see a status on Facebook, a tweet on Twitter and go on to do further research. If these SNS didn’t exist, it’s sad to say that a majority of the time I would be unaware of the severity of the events that are occurring.
While Morozov looks at SNS on a global scale and their impact, I found great relativity between this week’s reading and my group project. We assessed the importance of online identity management and how this impacts upon ones personal, business and private life. Social media bestows the power to send images, comments, and videos viral, in turn having the potential to effect future job prospects and creates issues with family and friends.
It is important to think of the consequences of using SNS. If they have the power to create ‘revolutions’ and create turmoil around the world (London riots, Arab uprising, Wall Street), imagine the impact they can have upon YOUR everyday life.
So next time you think about uploading the picture of your friend passed out with a VB in their hand think about this – do you want to be the reason behind their next job rejection?
Social networking is definitely more than a tool. It is incredible how from one tweet, thousands can congregate in one area to protest or be involved in a social movement. The abilities of social media are under estimated.
ReplyDeleteAnd I definitely think we should all think before we upload picture and make comments. We may not think its important right now but it will be when a future employee checks your facebook profile out before hiring you!
Nice post Naomi I agree that the influence of social media on all facets of our lives- including politics is immense. Although one thing I do disagree with you here is that you say “If they have the power to create ‘revolutions’ and create turmoil around the world”, I do not think that they are the CAUSE of these events but rather as a promoter and educator to the rest of the world of what is happening on the ground. In regards to the London riots- the CAUSE was a deeply rooted social inequality which was then triggered by the death of Mark Duggan. The riots would still have occurred with or without social media, just not on such a large scale.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Corryn. New media didn’t cause a revolution. But rather facilitated its occurrence. Before and during the revolution, citizens utilized social media such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to engage in political conversations, broadcast information criticizing authorities and to pressure their governments. Through utilizing digital technologies “democracy advocates created a freedom meme that took on a life of its own and spread ideas about liberty and revolution to a surprisingly large number of people” (Duffy, et.al, 2011, p 3). The conversations about liberty, democracy and revolt online were often immediately followed by the outburst of mass protests in the streets. What’s more, social media platforms assisted the spread of democratic ideas across international borders, which assisted Western news stories about the events happening abroad (Duffy, et.al, 2011). The Arab Spring definitely uncovered the potential of social media!
ReplyDeletePolitical backlash and Democratic events have been prevalent since long before SNS's ever existed, so they were never the cause of them, however they have pushed them in a way that society has never seen before. It is through these sites we can access follow-up stories, events, photographs, and actually read the truth to the events as opposed to what the media have published in mainstream print. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Em. SNS have allowed for public opinion to be observed with relative ease. They have become a site where the polarization affect of mainstream reporter's ceases to exist.
ReplyDeleteIn a way SNS are the bottom-line. They are the reflection of reality, not what the media constructs of reality.