2012.02.09
Is social networking good for society?
There’s an interesting debate raging on the website for The Economist. Does society benefit when we share baby pictures, give blow-by-blow accounts of our mundane daily activities and share other personal information on Facebook and through other social networking media?
Jeff Jarvis, a journalism professor at City University of New York, argues that the benefits of an open society outweigh the privacy concerns. Author Andrew Keene explains why he fears that life “in the full digital glare of public opinion” makes it harder for unconventional people to go against the grain, suppressing the very people who drive progress in our society.
It’s an interesting topic, and we’re interested in your thoughts, but just as important, take time to look at how this live debate is set up on the website and tell us what you like and don’t like about it. Are there ideas you’d like us to incorporate in our Point/Counterpoint feature?
“give blow-by-blow accounts of our mundane daily activities”
None of my FB or Twitter peeps do this, not even the teens. There are a couple of Eeyores but that’s about it. I don’t know where they find people doing accounts of their day.
Comment by Henry — February 9, 2012 @ 1:49 pm
“Is social networking good for society?”
The more pressing question is:
“Does anyone care?”
Comment by George Krutz, III — February 9, 2012 @ 3:04 pm
Judging by the sheer numbers, I would say a LOT of people give the “blow-by-blow” narratives even though very few have anything that needs reporting actually going on. Especially on Twitter as that is so very very “fan based”.
Facebook is a mixed bag but there are plenty of people who just share prayers, pictures and random thoughts without ever personalizing any thought, opinion or information; not to mention the “games”.
In each medium, you can get out of it what you want so I see no harm or foul and certainly either is a great way to keep up and be part of something you enjoy. Otherwise, why bother?
At least they both let you refuse or block content or people you do not want to “see”. A definite plus.
Nothing in either is going to hurt the moral fiber or conscience of this or any other nation. In fact, when you look at the movement in the Middle East that started with a young man on Facebook, the many prayer circles and people helping people stories (the other week we were all searching for a lost dog) we see, I think it enhances our sense of community and humanity. I would never stand in my yard at 8:30 at night in February chatting with neighbors and people in my community but I do it a couple times a week on FB.
Overall, thumbs up for both from me.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — February 9, 2012 @ 3:43 pm
Remember when we had three TV stations? And I grew up in a town with one radio station and a movie theater that played one movie at a time. The fabric of pop culture, as it were, is what served to hold us together. Everyone knew the same songs and TV shows, were at least familiar with the same movies.
With the advent of the digital age, we began losing those cultural touchstones. Other than NFL football, I haven’t watched network television in twenty years. I don’t listen to top forty radio, rarely see blockbuster movies. Social networking, then, works to replace those bonds, however superficial they may seem, that create the common ground necessary to hold society together. It’s not just a baby picture any more than it’s just a pop song. It creates at least some form of a bond, and that is never a bad thing.
Comment by Jeff — February 10, 2012 @ 8:15 am
Jeff, I grew up in Bedford County, on the eastern slope of Porter Mountain, and could only get one station (Channel 13). I had no idea how deprived I was…
Comment by 89Hoo — February 10, 2012 @ 9:11 am
89Hoo, I grew up in Clifton Forge. Were it not for proto-cable, we’d have barely been able to get Channels 7 and 10. As it was, we had the benefit of three networks and PBS. I don’t feel privileged by this fact.
Comment by Jeff — February 10, 2012 @ 12:24 pm
Wow 89Hoo, small world, I grew up at the foot of Jeters Chapel (and Bore Auger).
Jeff I think your assessment is spot on, with the addition that with FB and Twitter et al, you can have friends and a community of sorts with people all over the world. There are people who can “tear up an anvil with a rubber hammer” but in general we can use our efforts for the better angels when we want to.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — February 10, 2012 @ 1:14 pm
7 – It is a small world, Sandi. I work in Vinton now, and pass through Jeters Chapel many mornings, on my to work from the “ole homestead”. I love it out there.
Comment by 89Hoo — February 10, 2012 @ 1:29 pm
Hmmm… They’re asking people who regularly participate in a publicly posted blog whether or not social media is a good thing. Not exactly a random survey.
Comment by Brian Lindholm — February 10, 2012 @ 2:48 pm
Good point Brian. I freely admit I am prejudiced.
Roanoke.com is one of the best sites in my repertoire. I have certainly not found one better for local participation. This was a better blog when Dan R piled in with us and Dan Casey’s blog rocks because he does. I think all humane humans like interaction. If you are not an overly social mixer, these are great forums. I am a relative hermit (and well known for it) and I use such mediums as a social outlet (I know you are shocked, and I have met some wonderful people and consider them friends) and I use it for information and entertainment too.
Certainly there are days here when there is little accomplished. There are however, rare days when real information and real respect for differing views have seemed like breakthroughs. When you see people come up with angles you had not considered or points that you had missed and when you see the passion (or anger) that some carry, as well as the ignorance and misinformation they share, it all comes clearer on some discussions. But like the old saying goes, ‘someone always has to spoil the party’ with a partisan, religious, gender, sexuality, education, or other “zinger” and away we go. Pavlov would be vindicated, if not proud.
I will say unequivocally that I am much in favor of moderated boards, even when they slap my own hands.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — February 10, 2012 @ 3:16 pm