Well here's my take on the topic.
Both facebook and twitter, can and have helped political situations, as seen in egypt and libya. BUT and here's my biggest issue, they do not cause it, it's still people behind that are doing the posting. Now wether or not facebook and twitter exist, people would still be pushing based on their oppinions and wants from their governments, it's hardly facebook or twitter that's causing it, it's society. Social changes will always happen, as people and nations as a whole evolve, so there will always be room for improvements, especially when each group within a society can have different needs.
So it is true that facebook and twitter have become a major tool, but they alone are not the reason, they are simply new technology, new tools for an ever changing and forward moving tech generation.
I think at least we're not spending 24 hours doing really nothing of importance on these two sites, with these political movements there's at least a notion that some if not all of us are contributing to society in some way, even if it is countering what the majority agrees with.
More over I think this whole topic is pretty much a 50/50 situations, some people will agree that facebook and twitter are everything others may agree with me it's just a tool of the modern age.
As always I leave with the thought trail of : is there really a definite answer?
4 comments:
I agree with you in saying that it was the people that caused the revolutions. Facebook and Twitter are great tools, but they just help out the revolutions. I liked your comment about how it is nice seeing people doing something productive on social networking sites. It is a great point. Much more productive then what I do haha.
I also agree with what you've written about Facebook and Twitter not beung the reason for these movements in society, but more an aid when they do occur. In saying that SNS's allow us to communicate with anyone, anywhere, any time of the day. So maybe they have slightly enhanced the ease of political backlash taking place, but they were never the cause in the first place.
Without people, Facebook and Twitter would just be empty webpages. I dont really understand the argument that these sites start social movements. It takes people with opinions to do this. Facebook and Twitter are just the technology these people are using to spread their message and connect with like-minded individuals. Just as the technology of the past helped fuel revolutions and the technology of the future will undoubtedly do the same.
I have to agree that there is no argument for technology such as social media websites like Facebook and Twitter for STARTING a revolution. Pretty sure Twitter did not tweet itself crying for democracy in Egypt, or occupy wall street- it was people. Admittedly such technology allows people to engage with other people on a global scale, but to say technology is the reason for a successful revolution is an insult to the people who risk their lives for peace, social equality and freedom.
Post a Comment