Blogging Your Way To The Future

When we blog we are using a new media platform. "New Media" is attracting a lot of attention these days because of the possibilities which are on offer. Starting from the days of static web pages we are already a part of an interactive web environment thanks to web 2.0. Now we are in the midst of a social media revolution where creativity is finding a shared environment to thrive. Facebook, Myspace, twitter and other networking sites are allowing an alternative media space for different voices to be heard. It's really interesting to upload images, ideas and observations over these platforms, tag friends and seek their response. However, critics have opined that this open creative space is getting diluted by over usage of self advertorial material and cynical way of looking at things. That is an area of study which we will approach in a subsequent paragraph. Now to ponder on this issue closely, research and in depth study on new media is somewhat complex. There are already "self styled new media experts" who are claiming to have decoded this new phenomenon threadbare. I will not criticize these "intellectual thinkers" but will like to add that to be expert on new media, which is a vague term in itself, active practical usage of the medium is a must. We can be academically rooted to this media and don the hat of an expert but that is total disservice to its very essence. 

pic source: www.interactiveinsightsgroup.com

When I blog or discuss about 'new media' I accept that I am a humble learner. I will discuss things from the perspective of a learner, not an expert because being an expert on new media is risky given its constantly changing nature. Blogs bring in a whiff of fresh air because there is space to think differently and talk one's own mind. Mainstream media like television, newspaper and radio is top heavy with little space to be dispassionate and objective on issues. Paid news is a problem that needs to be given proper attention. It is an alarming development and has all the ingredients to subvert democracy. When ideas are twisted from the top to serve various interests little is left to honest assessment.According to Press Council of India’s draft report of enquiry titled “Paid News: How corruption in the Indian Media Undermines Indian Democracy” deception happens at three levels:

a) The reader or the viewer is made to believe an advertisement as independently produced news content.

b)  Candidates contesting elections do not disclose the true expenditure incurred on campaigning, thereby violating the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.

c) The newspapers and television channels concerned usually receive funds for ‘paid news’ in cash and do not disclose such earnings in their company balance sheets or official statements of accounts. Thereby the media company or its representatives violate the provision of the Companies Act, 1956 as well as the Income Tax Act, 1961 among other laws. [1]

These are some dangerous observations coming from the office of the Press Council of India. This is where blogs and other social media platforms come into relevance. The recent blasts in Hyderabad led to innumerable posts from netizens on facebook and twitter. It was enlivening to see various individuals sharing emergency numbers to help those who are in distress. The care for fellow human beings might have taken a digital turn but these developments are always heartening in times when cut throat competition and strive for more and more personal gains are wiping out finer qualities. 

As discussed earlier, there is a growing concern over tendency to be self obsessed and cynical in social media. Criticism is always good when it is constructive but equally damaging when done just for the sake of it. Looking with skeptical  eyes on each and every development stems from cynicism. This trend has to be curbed for a vibrant virtual space. The growing authority of alternative ideas which is forcing different governments to step back under pressure and use highly questionable means to control, gets undermined when used for cynical jibes and sharing pages which always profess "doom". Social media cannot just be used to state whether one has brushed his teeth in the morning or not. It can be used for effective means. While it is true that facebook, myspace and twitter have ignited the imagination of young minds, blogs are yet to have the same impact. Blogs can be used to engage communities who are serious about knowing all sides of a developing story, engage over meaningful discussion on social issues and exchange ideas for progress and change. Though academic communities in western countries are using blogs to interact with students and also throw valuable insight to research, this trend is yet to catch up with academicians in eastern countries specially India. When the world is looking for new methods of teaching it is time to come out of the shackles of polemics and try something worthwhile. Teachers and students are all running after theoretical knowledge and their expertise is getting judged by marks. However, education is about using the acquired knowledge for greater good and not about being smart with marks and short of ideas. Dynamism, the key word in this changed global system, is in delivering new ideas. New media is ushering in a new education environment where application and ingenuity are in more demand than mockery of marks. Serious news can be catered over blogs if the intent is serious. Though tough at times, credibility of news blogs can be established by maintaining objective standards. Why not think of a time when a good investigative story gets published in a blog? Why not think of a day when journalists jostle for serious blogging? Lets hope for a time when a political commentary in a blog has thousands of followers, each expressing their point of view with utmost freedom!  

[1] Source: Emerging trends in the Indian Media Landscape-Malaise of Paid-Content and the Need for Greater Accountability. Pitabas Pradhan in Media Watch Journal, Volume 3, Number 1, January-June 2012. 

 

Social Media and the Disadvantages of Networking

picture source:

jmparada.com

The Good

It’s becoming a small, small world. It seems, with the Internet, places that seemed so far away really aren’t anymore. People you never thought you’d communicate with are a button away. Social media is a concept that has grown in leaps and bounds over the past few years. Many companies and people now see Facebook and Twitter as a valid method of raising their profile. The Internet affords an instant connection to a global audience which is now being used to its full potential by these companies.

There are great examples of social media. One of them relates to my employment. The company I work for sells kitchen appliance online. Maybe not the most interesting of things. But that’s the beauty of social media. We can make it interesting. Through a representative who is considered the ‘face’ of our business, we gained interest on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Facebook has almost 50,000 people interested in what we are doing. Twitter has almost 5,000 follows. We have created a community that shares information and gets involved. When news gets out, it’s shared almost immediately.

The Bad

But is this always a good thing? Like human nature, social networking can become pretty disappointing at times. Like all technology, it can be abused, twisted and turned into something negative. Remember the riots last year? The planning of that was done in part via certain social networks. The instantaneous communication that resulted from social networking mean that people were informed about police locations and actions before the police had chance to maintain an effective presence.

Basically, it was like the flash mob from hell.

And the Ugly...

The negative sides to people can really come out in new ways thanks to the Internet. For example, bullying can take on a whole new level that transcends the physical. Tales in the news of cyber bullying are constant. This isn’t focused solely on school children or work colleagues. More recognisable faces are in fact more likely to be targeted in this way. Matt Lucas (of Little Britain Fame) for example, felt he had to leave Twitter because of derogatory comments made about his partner, who recently passed away. 

The argument could also be made that whilst it makes communication between people much simpler, are we damaging the personal relationships of those closest to us? People are now ‘addicted’ to networking sites, which can have an adverse effect on their personal as well as professional life.

A decline in productivity has been seen in companies that allow access to Facebook and Twitter. And remember, often your personal information contained on these sites can create a ‘life brand’ potential employer might check to see if you are suitable candidates. 

Those ‘harmless’ comments, photos and posts you and your friends might have found amusing may actually work against you in the long run. Think about when you meet someone new. They seem to really like you, until they see your Facebook and Twitter posts that make disparaging remarks. These days, no one is anonymous. 

Social media and social networking takes a certain amount of responsibility. When used right, it can be a powerful tool. When used wrong, then lives can be affected in the real world.

About the Author-

Halit Bozdogan is a writer for Appliances Online. He likes Japanese culture, has lived in Japan, loves playing squash and is going to be a father in July. It’s a boy, so the only real question is which will be his favourite; Batman or Spider-man! You can follow Halit on Twitter @TheBozDog

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article and the picture used are those of the author, and they are in no way related to the Dispassionate Observer.