Though some critics argue that digital media does more harm than good on an individual level, the benefits of 21st century social media platforms like Facebook (and others, including twitter, foursquare, tumblr and the like) will continue to push grassroots activists (and their opposition) to utilize digital media to meet their various objectives.
If the risk of becoming lost in the Internet's vast catalog of information can be avoided, individuals and corporations with focus and drive can wield this powerful tool to reshape the political landscape of the world
The internet has provided many opportunities and challenges for grassroots activists. Web 2.0 has created an abundant participatory media culture which has leveled the distribution playing field allowing for the easy sharing of previously taboo ideas, and making directly democratic decision much easier for grassroots organizations. However, social media is no substitute for direct action, and the net also empowers powerful governments and corporations to distract, divide, and surveil. The 21st century activist should use the internet to spread ideas, but also encourage deep reflective thought offline, and expose the production techniques and emotional arguments which distort our political discourse.
The internet is disrespecting our privacy, shortening our attention spans, and making us generally dumber, but it is a necessary factor in instigating political change and deciphering truths from lies in mainstream media.
Through the use of social media platforms activists in the 21st century can quickly and efficiently build strong social movements, though while building these movements activists must avoid the pitfalls awaiting them in the vast wasteland of internet distractedness.
Social media has the potentiality to bring millions of people together and bring positive changes to the world, if everyone is aware of the consequences of excessive use.
There are both promises and perils of grassroots activism in the new/digital twenty-first century media age, because no new technology is entirely good or bad: the Web 2.0 technology of today enables us to create and share information with more speed than ever before, but with the use of such technology, we make ourselves vulnerable to the exploitation of our information.
The 21st century internet is having a major impact on our culture and the way we live our lives. The internet has become one of our most powerful tools, and we must learn how to harness its power for the greater good of humanity. We must now keep it out of the hands of our government, and the corporations that would use it to take our money, and control us. In the next few years could bring major change in the way we use the internet. The web 2.0 will either develop into a media tool for mass population mind control and advertisements, or it can be used by the people to speak out, and fight back against the corrupt powers at hand through grassroots activism at least while we still have a means of free expression on the internet. The government is trying day and night to gain full control over this media tool with acts such as PIPA and SOPA, and now is the time for us to fight back.
Post your thesis right here. In this thread. Go posse.
ReplyDeleteThough some critics argue that digital media does more harm than good on an individual level, the benefits of 21st century social media platforms like Facebook (and others, including twitter, foursquare, tumblr and the like) will continue to push grassroots activists (and their opposition) to utilize digital media to meet their various objectives.
ReplyDeleteIf the risk of becoming lost in the Internet's vast catalog of information can be avoided, individuals and corporations with focus and drive can wield this powerful tool to reshape the political landscape of the world
ReplyDeleteThe internet has provided many opportunities and challenges for grassroots activists. Web 2.0 has created an abundant participatory media culture which has leveled the distribution playing field allowing for the easy sharing of previously taboo ideas, and making directly democratic decision much easier for grassroots organizations. However, social media is no substitute for direct action, and the net also empowers powerful governments and corporations to distract, divide, and surveil. The 21st century activist should use the internet to spread ideas, but also encourage deep reflective thought offline, and expose the production techniques and emotional arguments which distort our political discourse.
ReplyDeleteThe internet is disrespecting our privacy, shortening our attention spans, and making us generally dumber, but it is a necessary factor in instigating political change and deciphering truths from lies in mainstream media.
ReplyDeleteThrough the use of social media platforms activists in the 21st century can quickly and efficiently build strong social movements, though while building these movements activists must avoid the pitfalls awaiting them in the vast wasteland of internet distractedness.
ReplyDeleteSocial media has the potentiality to bring millions of people together and bring positive changes to the world, if everyone is aware of the consequences of excessive use.
ReplyDeleteThere are both promises and perils of grassroots activism in the new/digital twenty-first century media age, because no new technology is entirely good or bad: the Web 2.0 technology of today enables us to create and share information with more speed than ever before, but with the use of such technology, we make ourselves vulnerable to the exploitation of our information.
ReplyDeleteThe 21st century internet is having a major impact on our culture and the way we live our lives. The internet has become one of our most powerful tools, and we must learn how to harness its power for the greater good of humanity. We must now keep it out of the hands of our government, and the corporations that would use it to take our money, and control us. In the next few years could bring major change in the way we use the internet. The web 2.0 will either develop into a media tool for mass population mind control and advertisements, or it can be used by the people to speak out, and fight back against the corrupt powers at hand through grassroots activism at least while we still have a means of free expression on the internet. The government is trying day and night to gain full control over this media tool with acts such as PIPA and SOPA, and now is the time for us to fight back.
ReplyDelete