“We don't have a choice on whether we do social media,
the question is how well we do it?” (Erik
Qualman, 2010) With social media becoming more and more prevalent, it is
important to understand its dynamics. Social media for many, has become a part
of everyday life, allowing users to stay connected with family and friends,
discover the news of the world and to share and express.
As of June 2015 Facebook had 968 million daily active users on average. Founded in 2004, Facebook’s mission is to give people the
power to share and make the world more open and connected. The key word here is
power, and power is everywhere and
comes from everywhere (Kuttainen, 2015). Deeper still Allen notes, ‘power, as I
understand it, is a relational effect of social interaction’ (Allen, 2003). With
the multitude of social interaction on Facebook it is clear that many forms of
power exist. Humans are social beings, and Facebook gives us the power to stay
connected and be heard. As users, we have the authority to choose what we
express and whom we share it with.
We
can classify the space into a place by asserting a reason for it, or an emotion
(Tuan, 1979). There is certainly a reason behind Facebook, which arguably turns
such a place into a space. Tuan also notes that, ‘experience can either be a
direct and physical encounter, or a non-physical or conceptual experience’. Many
would agree that generally the online place of Facebook is a positive one, but is
emotion actually asserted into this ‘place’. How much connection actually occurs?
The answer seems to be bound within the four sides of the screen. Does reading this mere 300 words create a connection?
I share therefore I am, seems to be a way in which we conduct ourselves online,
the significance of our existence defined by the fact that someone may be listening.
We use technology to define ourselves, but could it be that it is defining us.
References
Allen, J. (2003). Lost geographies of power. . Malden, MA.:
Blackwell.
Cohen, S. (2013) The Innovation of Loneliness, Retrieved
from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6Bkr_udado
Quoting the words of Sherry Turkle from her TED
talk - Connected, But Alone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Xr3AsBEK4
Kuttainen, V. (2015) BA1002: Our Space: Networks, narratives
and the making of place, Lecture 2:
Power.
[PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://learnjcu.edu.au
Tuan, Y. (1979). Space and Place: The perspective of
Experience.
The connection that can be shared between individuals online is an interesting thought to ponder.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the phrase “I share therefore I am” indeed seems to describe the behavior of many individuals online. Many people attempt to present themselves as they would like others to see them. These people tend to gravitate to places offering them the ability to focus attention where they want it, be heard by others, and to never be alone as stated in the video you linked.
While it is true that for many people that it is possible to be defined by their usage of technology, is it possible for everyone to be defined in such a way?
Cohen, S. (2013) The Innovation of Loneliness, Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6Bkr_udado Quoting the words of Sherry Turkle from her TED talk