Friday, October 9, 2009
The Machine is pretty awesome.....
I have often pondered about how the web helps shape our identity and thus I found this video to be fascinating. This video gives us some great insight into how social networking technology is changing the way our society defines ourselves at the level of the individual. I believe that social networking technology is morally neutral and it depends upon the user to bestow it with moral value.
The power of the new web medium reminds me of how the printing press changed society. After people had access to the printed word, each person was able to create meaning for themselves and no longer had to rely upon the established religion to explain the truth. We are in a similar situation today; no longer must we rely upon the privileged few who possess access to information. One merely has to make a trip to the public library to access the most powerful networking tools our planet has ever seen. This technology provides a venue for any person to showcase themselves as whatever he or she desires. And what does it mean to have an identity anyways? Are each of us a static entity that never changes? Or are our personalities dynamic and shifting?
Although this technology may sound like a tool for the devious, it is a great way for an artist to showcase his or her works to the world and receive feedback or potential buyers. Personally, I love exploiting the web to promote my own dress line. A friend of mine teaches hula hooping classes and posts video on youtube to attract potential students and buyers for her hula hoop line. Also, I think it is great that the individual has an easy way to access his or her person in the 3rd person (by replaying video, rereading posts and comments on facebook etc). Part of being human is making mistakes and learnign from them. Replaying video is a great way for people to see themselves as others view them and making improvements where need be. For instance, I was able to watch myself on stage at my brother's last performance. Before I watched the video I was extremely nervous because I thought I would stupid or awkward. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I watched the video and was able to see how I could improve for next time.
I think social networking should be integrated in the classroom. Think about how students could study the impacts of historical events today by connecting to students in other countries and asking them questions. This direct connection also allows us the posisbility to see how others live as they wish to be seen. Rather than labeling a group of people as the enemy, we would likely be more open minded about the people had we been in contact with that group. Social networking really is a great tool of the people for keeping their governments in check. Now that sharing information is so simple, it seems somewhat dubious when Congress refuses to post legislation online for people to read before it comes to vote. Think about how soical networking influenced how we viewed the Iranian election.
I wouldn't say that I look at social networking differently because of this video because I have already thought about how awesome this tool really is. This video certainly reinforced my beliefs and makes me want to use these tools to my advantage. I would like to know how you use social networking sites to project your identity? Have you ever lied on your facebook interests/relationship status etc to influence the way a person views who you are?
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I often use social networking to project my identity as being exciting, interesting, and goal orientated. I often post comments that reflect my inner being and express the way I'm feeling regardless of how my day is going. However, I'm often conscious of what i post on-line i don't want people to think i'm boring or lame. Therefore, i only post things that i think others would like to see or hear about. Others times i just post what i personally like or care about.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone has lied on their facebook or myspace account, whether it was consciously or not, i often lie but usually those lies are obvious or i just won't post certain information. For example, on (my) myspace account i have that i'm a proud parent but really i'm not, (not that i'm not proud of my children, i just don't have now to be proud of) however, people who really know me know i'm just bluffing but those who dont, may actually believe me. It's always fun to mess with people's mind:)
I don't like to provide private information, i mean you have to keep some information to yourself otherwise, what do new information can you offer others that they don't already know?
I like the points you made. Especially how advances in technology throughout the centuries have profound effects on how people communicate, i.e. the printing press. I think that controlling the way your identity is projected comes with the territory of social networking. I only put certain pictures of myself on facebook and I will untag ones that I think do not present me in the best light. Especially as facebook has expanded to anyone being on it instead of just college students, I've noticed that I have taken things off my profile or changed it so that I look a little more professional.
ReplyDeleteI can only say are lies of omission really lies? I tend to be really conscious of what I'm saying on FB and the like because my online community tends to be really small. I will say that the great thing about them is that you can find a community for any interest, even those that you might not be comfortable revealing to your near and dear. So, in that sense, it is easy to reveal more of your "true" self.
ReplyDeleteI think I am still embracing the whole idea of social networking as an expression of my identity... I don't share a lot of deep, personal, or emotional thoughts online because 1) I am not that way in person, and 2) I am still trying to figure out whether or not people actually want or expect that kind of thing. I don't need/want to know every detail of a stranger's/acquaintance's/friend's life, so how much do people want/need to know about me?
ReplyDeleteI've never lied on my Facebook interests or relationship status, but as Trish said, omissions may say just as much as what you include. I un-tag photos of myself with alcohol because I don't want future employers to view me as a crazy college drunkard, which I am definitely not. Hopefully the things that I omit project a more professional image of myself.
The whole relationship status thing gets interesting because Facebook allows you to not show any status at all. This is probably the option I have usually chosen in the past. However, given certain recent events I decided to project a message of confidence in being listed as "single." While this is not a lie, I guess it would qualify as manipulating the status to project a certain identity.
I think you bring up great points. Social networking is a fantastic tool for people trying to promote themselves, their company/band/hobbies...I mean what better way to reach tons and tons of potential customers/fans free of charge!? You bring up a great idea with social networking and connecting students to others around the world. Several people commented on monitoring their facebook page to look more professional to future employers...it's a great idea. Everytime we received an application for an intern in my department, it was first handed to me before my boss...one of my unofficial job duties was to google the snot out of any application that looked slightly promising. Due to the nature of our work...we only looked for applicants that carried themselves in the most professional way...if we found a facebook photo that looked inappropriate, even the slightest bit, we threw away the application. I am very aware of what I (and others) post on my facebook, so if that is considered "lying" to project my identity in a certain way...then yes I and most people are guilty.
ReplyDeleteAs a frequent user of social networking sites I can honestly say I do use them to project my identity. I often post articles that I feel are important for others to read whether it be sports, politics, scientific breakthroughs,etc. In essence, people can get to know me through the articles I post. However, I've found that satire and sarcasm doesn't translate well through the internet. This has caused some misconceptions about my personality from acquaintances. For example, my friends and I created a facebook group calling for a end to women's suffrage (I strongly suggest you all check it out lol). Some people thought I was being sexist however it was merely a play on words (suffering does not equal suffrage). If you look at the group there are a bunch of pictures of women who look injured or sad. Still, some didn't get it. Regardless I and my close friends found it hilarious.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I was younger, my friends and I used to lie about our age and say we were older so we could talk to older guys (like 15-17). We were 12 and 13 at the time. Yeah, not my most shining moment, but hey I was ignorant. We even used to use fake pictures. Oh the amusements we had as children.
ReplyDeleteNow with the social networking sites I use I am very honest in everything I do and say. That's how I am, I'm really open and can be rather blunt at times. The places I tend to get extremely personal like LJ and Twitter, I keep those for a select audience. My Facebook has a lot of security measures taken, but I am not as picky about who can access that information.
I am one of the ones that has added any and every family member to my Facebook because I am already pretty open with them to begin with, so there are no surprises for them. I have begun to edit certain parts just to make me seem more professional since I'll be in the real world in August. I even have an issue with clothes shopping, everything has to be super conservative... even my clothes that I don't wear to school. I am amused at how ProTeach is making me grow up a bit. But for the most part I still feel like I am expressing myself online as honestly as possible.