Reading an online article recently, one quote which struck me was a remark that "people will continue to adapt their behaviors as new tools become available [and] communication practices and the ways in which we relate to one another will stay the same." According to Ms. Brooke F. Welles, assistant professor of communication studies at Northeastern University, this has remained true since the invention of the telegraph. One could agree with this statement, by analyzing how much of a role social media plays today, in shaping our interpersonal skills, and social interactions.
But, a question to pose to all social media users, is whether our dependency on social media tools is a good thing? Recent research published by the University of Chicago, suggests that social media tools can "catalyze close, supportive, civically engaged relationships." As extensions transference tools, citing E.T. Hall, social media tools, are
extenuating topologies of communication, which in turn is lessening in-person social interaction. In the Paul Adams reading, Adams defines the world in terms of topologies - structures of links and nodes, and not based on location.
Adapting our behaviors to new social media tools, these topologies have become the bases to form social contexts, and engage in social interaction. Creating a space bounded by communication, digital technology intrinsically poses a positive and negative risk in the development of social and interpersonal skills offline. Through topological spaces, social media websites and tools, such as Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. have created new network platforms for social engagement. Nowadays, people feeling closely connected with their online (regular) network, or closely connected through the 'space of social acquaintance', for example, having a mutual friend with another active user, are influenced by others to seek social interaction and engagement via digital social spheres.
The expansion of new social media platforms, and the decline of the Euclidean geometry of distance, as well as, conventional engagement has contributed to our dependency on social media tools. Possessing the ability to join, or even create one's own network, and establish connections with others, has promoted a small-world phenomenon of cluster-groups. Utilizing these cluster-groups as a basis for social interaction on a regular basis, appears to have become the new norm in network theory, and people-to-people interactions.
Paul Adams (2009) Topologies of Communication in Geographies of Media and Communication. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
"3Qs: The social impact of social networks" (2012). Retrieved from
http://www.northeastern.edu/news/2012/10/3qs-the-social-impact-of-social-networks/.
Facebook picture retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/voluntary-sector-network/2012/jun/21/social-media-charities.
I truly enjoyed Paul's Adam's piece on "Topologies of Communications." I thought you did a very nice job synthesizing his points while incorporating other critics and voices. My question for you is because social media alters the way we think of "distance" and "space" and affords participating persons the ability to converse with others abroad, does social media truly improve diplomacy efforts? Does Facebook and twitter create better relationships with internationals and does it increase positive perceptions? Do you think that the ability to come together in a network of sharing, "liking," and discussing improves relationships, and "e-diplomacy." Or do you feel the more exposure actually can cause more problems for instance with racist posts, condescending memes, materialists interest etc? Just curious on your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question I would have to say that social media does not improve diplomacy efforts. However, if you were to ask me whether or not social media effects diplomacy efforts then I would say 'yes' it certainly does. For example, within the last decade governments have altered their foreign policy and public diplomatic engagements, by utilizing social media tools to connect with citizens around the world via social digital spaces.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, social media tools have granted the average individual with the ability to become an agent in spreading information and connecting other networks with one another. Social media websites do not necessarily create better relationships with internationals, but I do believe that these new media tools help re-enforce and maintain relationships across state-borders/ internationally, and strengthen personal relationships. In terms of social media creating positive or negative perceptions, I think largely depends on the individual user and how they socialize, engage, and connect within their online networks and social spheres. As a user myself, I hold a positive perceptions on social media websites based on my own experiences.
In the future, I know that social media websites will eventually become more widespread. It is possible that with the increase in social media users there might be more instances of racist posts and condescending memes, however, this not pose too much of a problem because the Internet grants everyone the right to free speech; and these (negative) users want to express their own opinions for personal gain. Ultimately, how well they actually engage and connect with other users will determine if their messages even make it into new networks, or remain remote.