that it's an evolution / Well you know ...” Lyrics by John Lennon and Paul McCarthy. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrkwgTBrW78)
Social Media has not only transformed electronic communication, it has also positively impacted attitudes toward communicating in general. Social web tools, such as MySpace, facebook, twitter, blogs, and wikis have burst wide open new avenues of communication. People of all ages, demographics, ethnicities, and nationalities engage in candid conversations on every topic imaginable (and some we wish others couldn’t imagine). These candid conversations enable the development of social kinship built on common goals and interests. Then, through the development of a collective empathy, powerful influence generates social change. Although not face-to-face, nevertheless, one-to-one people congregate through technological tools cooperatively influencing millions, almost instantly.
At first glance, Web 2.0 offers numerous ways one can waste time. While perusing, I subscribed to
Google reader, learned about ffonts, a free font site, and discovered a plethora of sites guaranteed to organize my life, prompt me regarding important meetings, and empower my writing. Yet, the more time was spent on the various “tools” posted, a theme emerged. A collection of user friendly applications, such as offered by Web 2.0, promotes individual and interpersonal engagement through technology.
As social media becomes even more pervasive, abuses will emerge, especially by short-term profiteers. (www.overtune.com). Safety is certainly an issue that needs further examination as predatory practices have infiltrated social media sites. Nevertheless, according to Erik Qualman, in his book “Socialnomics09” the influence of social media is permanent. Ways in which social media connectivity has changed society includes:
· Social Media has overtaken porn as the #1 web activity
· A 2009 US Dept. of Education study revealed online students outperformed those receiving face to face instruction (careful, bias probably present due to lack of study qualification)
· 80% of companies now use LinkedIn as a primary recruiting tool
· The fastest growing segment of facebook is 55-65 year olds
· Fall 2009, Boston College did not distribute email address to incoming freshman
Thus, communication consumers update, tweet, text, write on “walls,” and blog, anywhere, anytime, anyplace. Therefore, “word of mouth has become world of mouth.” Imagine the positive and negative implications! (http://www.socialnomics.net/).
Further, Brian Solis, a Principal of Futureworks (A PR and New Media Agency) asserts that “monolog has given way to dialogue . . . and [social media] has caused a fundamental shift” in the way we communicate. Likewise, “social media has created a new layer of influences . . . and an entirely new ecosystem for supporting the socialization of information-thus facilitating new conversations that can start locally, but have a global impact.” Social media, then, ensures that individually and collectively our voices will be heard. The enduring power of social media means a profound legal and economic influence as well. Social tools already mentioned provide the power for us less technologically organized persuaders to influence the judgments of our cohort and policymakers. No longer armchair commentators, we have become mainstream participators.
Certainly, with the high level of media saturation, individuals engage with media in varied and multifaceted means. Will Richardson’s discussion on the impact of social media on education was enlightening. His assertion that society has begun a transformation from consumption to writing which then creates a greater potential for group connectivity is an important point, especially for educators. What is especially exhilarating is a point that Will Richardson made regarding the co-learning between student and educator. Teaching hybrid university courses, and enrolled in an online degree program, Richardson’s views on connective writing, that is, we are now writing with purpose, that everything potentially connects, and that text is not enough since multimedia better engages responders, certainly rings true. As an educator, continuing to develop my knowledge and use of social media is crucial to my professional development. How can I possibly teach what I don’t know? How can I possibly connect to new generations of students if the information I need to convey to them fails to resonate? Electronic communication certainly stimulates the sharing of ideas through different conversations leading to collaboration and collective action, just as Clay Shirky described.
The most important imprint of social media is the ability it provides to remain connected, even when proximity is a concern. While we may not be conversing “face to face” we are communicating, and in some cases, the dialogue is more poignant as some users are more comfortable “talking” through their computer. Although at times my “plugged in” state of being becomes overwhelming, no doubt that without social media tools, I would lose touch with many individuals. As my social media skills continue to develop through my PhD journey and personal research, the impact of social media will continue to enlighten and enthrall me. Clay Shirky stated "publishing is for action," attributing the words to William James, further explains that social media empowers all users, linking people more effectively, to more effectively achieve common goals.
Whatever medium by which you choose to communicate, responsibility remains interlocked with
individual or collective persuasive power. Social media’s inherent connectivity holds the power to influence change or manipulate decisions (or maybe a little of both) depending on your viewpoint. Engaging in a dialogue with an online community can inform our decisions, increase interpersonal communications skills, and further develop critical thinking abilities; nevertheless, a healthy dose of skepticism on the opinions of others is necessary to maintain dignity in our personal beliefs and behaviors.
“Revolution” Lyrics by John Lennon and Paul McCarthy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrkwgTBrW78
Images: Google images
Richardson, W. (2006). Understanding Instructional Technologies Read/Write Web 2.0. Part 1 and 2 . Retrieved on October 8, 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFbDEBNS7AE and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cZDYz1hmi0&feature=related
Shirky, C. (2008). Here comes everyone. Retrieved on October 10, 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_0FgRKsqqU
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