What kind of power does social media hold? What kinds of impact does social media have on today’s society?
Social media can put a spotlight on a topic, issue or individual. Numerous companies use the social media to draw more interest to their product, weather it be a person, place or thing. Many people use the social media to stay connected to friends and loved ones that live a distance away. In recent years, studies have been conducted to discover innovative ways to use social media networks.
Will Richardson points out that the school system needs to be fixed, that there needs to be a new way of engaging the students. In California we have been attempting just that. There is an online charter high school, called insight, it is a public school, paid for by the taxpayers of California, but it is online. The teacher conducts class via shared screens and Skype-like discussions, as well as using power point presentations and a “chalkboard” feature that allows her to write in real time and the students can see and comment on the materials.
To check out their website, follow this link:
Clay Shirky comments on the notion that even playing World of Warcraft online is doing something over doing nothing, like watching television. He argues that doing anything is beneficial to doing nothing. He states that watching television has created a cognitive surplus. This raises a question, Which would he find more cognitively stimulating, to feed your virtual cows on your virtual farm or watching a documentary on social media? Technically, just sitting and watching T.V. is doing nothing as compared to the engagement of taking care of your virtual cows. Social media can be very useful, if used in a useful manner.
Society tends to put a spotlight on the “fun” aspects of everything and then the hidden dangers come out. The fun of posting on Facebook, the dangers if you post something that can damage your reputation and/or hinder future employment or if you post your feelings, as a juror, about the outcome of a trial that has yet to be concluded.
Everyone has a different value of social media networks and as long as you find the value in it for you, then the usefulness of the network is being utilized. I’m sure the medical students that were following the surgeons, who were performing the first double hand transplant appreciated the tweets that were occurring during the surgery, here’s the link: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/weird/Double_Hand_Transplant_Tweeted_by_Doctors_as_They_Perform_Surgery_All__National_.html
As much as social media can help society, I think it contributes to the 'sound bite' attention span that most of society has. In the September AARP Bulletin, consumer psychologist and chair of the Department of Psychology at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, Kit Yarrow (2010) comments, “people use their iPhone like a binky, It’s like, ‘nobody is paying attention to me, I can interact with this thing.’ The problem with that…is becoming less able to relate to other people.” The social media was created to enhance society’s interactions, but it would appear that in some instances it is becoming a crutch. Yarrow (2010) also states, “you really have to look at things like Facebook as bonus activities and not neglect the people that support you and would be there for you if you needed help.” Society needs to remember that social media began by being “social.”
I believe the constant visual and auditory stimuli can hinder creativity and imagination on some level. I think everyone should try to disconnect for a while. I challenge you to turn off the TV, the cell phones, PDAs, PC tablets, etc. Just try sitting with your thoughts in a quiet spot for a short period of time. You could even go 'old school' and bring a pencil and a piece of paper to write down your thoughts. I wonder just how many thoughts will be about anything digital.
References:
Ramnarace, C. (2010 September). Interviewed Kit Yarrow. Smartphone Nation. AARP Bulletin, 51, 14-16
Edie, I love the quote: "people use their iPhone like a binky"! I don't have an iphone, so does that mean I'm a grown up! LOL love your fresh take on things! you go girl!
ReplyDeleteNina