Topic
The Internet (Responses to Jamie Watkins)
Instructions
I think in some ways new media has become the new public space, with many discussions taking place online. It definitely facilitates people from around the world finding each other to talk about issues and find common ground. But I think overall the Internet and new media can only be tools for social change, and cannot create social change in and of themselves. We can use the Internet to communicate and share ideas, but social and political changes requires more than that. I think this has been a misunderstanding for some. I see people all the time “liking” or sharing petitions, political articles, etc. and for some, I think this gives them a false sense of political engagement. Merely clicking “like” on a political action doesn’t really constitute an effective action.
I think the fact that the Women’s March on Washington got so much attention and gathered hundreds of thousands of people around the world is a good example. The event was essentially organized online via social media and their website. The attention it garnered online leading up to the event was extensive, but that alone didn’t get the media attention that the actual physical bodies on people on the streets did. While we can organize online and connect with others, I think it’s still the physical gathering of people and meeting with officials face-to-face that makes the biggest impact.
Answer Preview
As a new public space, I concur with you that people are using internet to discuss about emerging issues and find a common ground.
Word count: 81