This is Farewell!

Welcome to my final blog for this unit.  I’ve actually quite enjoyed this unit as it didn’t feel so much like studying though I’ve learnt so much.  I went in with an open mind wondering what a unit labelled ‘social media’ could teach someone that grew up with it and I was pleasantly surprised.  I not only learned more about social media and the devices that enable it but also a great deal about myself as the unit required self-reflection.

From blog 1 regarding mobile devices I was introduced to the work of psychologist, Sherry Turkle where I made the startling admission that I was uncomfortable with solitude (TED 2012).  In her TED Talk, 'Connected, but alone?' Turkle (2012) stated ‘being alone feels like a problem to be solved’(TED 2012).  I realised this was true that I hide within my phone seeking company through text messages and social networking.  Turkle (2012) made another alarming point that deeply resonated with me that ‘people can’t get enough of each other as long as they can have each other at a distance in amounts that they can control’ (TED 2012).

Who would’ve thought that a unit on social media could make you aware of how much you valued your relationships in ‘real’ life whilst cautioning against the hazards of being permanently connected to your ‘second life’. Simulacra does have its benefits though such as its applications in business, science and medicine.  Though I’ve realised the importance of being able to ‘unplug’ as previously my day looked a little like this:

·         Wake up and check my Facebook newsfeed, go on Instagram

·         Go to work

·         Lunch: Eat, Facebook and Instagram

 

·         Work

·         Get home and check my Facebook

At this point there are some days I don’t go on Facebook (shocking I know) and I’m not sure if it’s because I’m busy juggling work, university and relationships (I can hear my mother’s voice in my head right ‘idle hands idle mind') or if it’s because I’m more aware of my relationships in real time.  We’ll go with the latter (and not tell my mother).  I find it astounding that at lunch I don’t have my phone out and I’m participating in conversations.  Though I find I’m competing for their attention against their mobile devices (how rude!). 

Though I have to marvel at the ever changing nature of technology that enables these devices and how the technology from the humble land line has evolved into the portable mobile phone and that too has evolved into the smart phone which has a myriad of applications encompassing our social networking ‘needs’, television, internet (I’d be lost without google), music and games. 

I’ve also found fascinating how ICT (information communication and technologies) tools could be used to promote transparency and reduce corruption within the government.  I was interested to find that governments actually release their own ICTs such as e-government (Bertot, Jaeger and Grimes 2010, p.265).  They release information such as their expenditure which reduces the risk of wasteful spending on projects as the public are making them accountable (Bertot, Jaeger and Grimes 2010, p.265). 

 

I actually plan to do a little more research on the subject as most of the information I found was in regards to American ICTs.  I want to know where my tax dollars are going Julia!  As a little side note I think if the government really wanted to reduce corruption they would promote these websites as it’s all well and good that they have them but what good are they if they’re not receiving hits?  I guess that’s why we have whistle blowers like Julian Assange and his WikiLeaks team to keep the government honest.  Though the question is do they go to far? There has to be a rational limits regarding ‘maximum public disclosure’ and that the public’s ‘right to know’ as it could possibly jeopardise national security and/or our relationships with other countries (Kinsman 2011, p.46).     

Social media is a great tool for providing everyday people with a platform to speak and for the dissemination of information though as with everything else there are implications for a society that communicates via social media.  Social media may facilitate cyber bullying and extremist hate groups recruiting children.

 

CyberBullyHelp states that social media can allow a bully an anonymous way of targeting their victim where they can hide behind fake profiles or even use someone else’s identity (Pagatston 2011).  Cyber bullying is quite repetitive in nature as we’re constantly connected to our devices we’re giving cyber bullies a 24/7 all access pass (Pagatston 2011).  Cyber bullying is also repetitive in nature as the victim can read/see the message/photo/threat multiple times and this can also be shared throughout the cyber bully’s social network and the victim’s network as well (Pagatston 2011). 

 

Social media may also facilitate the process in which extremist groups target and recruit children attempting to force their ideologies upon impressionable minds.  I believe that we can combat the dark side of social media through a more increased presence in our children’s online lives and also through continual education of online safety for all (not just children).  This is due to the fact that technology is always changing and we must be vigilant of new dangers and threats to ensure the protection of our online safety. 

It’s not all doom and gloom though the future of social media is bright revolutionising the way we communicate socially and in business on a global scale.  We’re starting to see the effects of Web 3.0 and soon we’ll be able to go into our social networking sites and not have to search for what we need.  In fact I was talking to one of the business manager’s at work who regaled me in a story about when he became engaged and changed his relationship status from “in a relationship” to “engaged” (on Facebook).  He told me the change of relationship status triggered an advertisement for a wedding photographer to appear in his side menu.  This illustrates the very point that social media is already catering to us as an individual based on our likes, dislikes and relationship status and as technology increases in the social media field it’s only going to get bigger and better.

 

So this is farewell (at least on this blog anyway) and I wish you all luck with all your future study endeavours and social media engagement.

 

 

      (alvarezanamaria 2011)

Reference List

Bertot, J, Jaeger, P and Grimes, J 2010, 'Using ICTs to create a culture of transparency: E-goverment and social media as openness and anti-corruption tools for societies', Government Information Quarterly, vol. 27, no. 3,, pp 264-271 viewed 19 January 2013 http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0740624X10000201/1-s2.0-S0740624X10000201-main.pdf?_tid=6cc2aca2-773a-11e2-9e19-00000aab0f01&acdnat=1360910539_286d64a5b0e5cf7f6a966aeea7aa6be1

Kinsman, J 2011, TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCE: THE WIKILEAKS SAGA, viewed 19 January 2013 http://www.irpp.org/po/archive/feb11/kinsman.pdf