Social Media Helping Hunt for Survivors
Our discussion this semester needs to include an examination of our society's ever growing reliance on new media and social networking sites. The devastating earthquake that hit Haiti is filled with stories of how people were saved by technology as they texted their way out of the rubble in many cases with their cell phone and facebook or twitter. The first pictures and communication were possible because of mobile technology and social networks including YouTube. The miracles and tradegies being witnessed on television broadcast are due to our technology. Would the outpouring of attention and relief from foreign aid been delayed or not as great if this urgent devastation wasn't as immediate available via these networks?
Recently, we see the power of Twitter in the U.S. Congress in this recent study: Twongress Study
What are the future implications for social networks and mobile technnology? What ways do they currently impact your academic experiences, jobs, future careers and life? Will one be lost or left behind in the future if they aren't on a social network or using mobile technology? Share in this blog your thoughts on the importance of New Media as a means to effective communication.
I believe the attention that has been brought to the tragedy in Haiti would not have happened so quickly or on such a large scale if it were not for these various technology networks. The video on FoxNews.com explains that many lives were saved because people were able to use Twitter and Facebook to communicate that they were trapped or needed assistance. A few individuals in Haiti used their Twitter accounts to broadcast information about areas where help and assistance were needed which allowed emergency services to locate them. One of the most remarkable stories from the video was the woman from Montreal who was able to update her Facebook status alerting her friend in Canada that she was stuck in the rumble.
ReplyDeleteOne of the main reasons I feel that foreign aid was so quick to respond was because of images and videos sent from people who were in Haiti and experienced the devastation first hand. In the beginning of the FoxNews.com video, a woman sent in a personal video she took after the earthquake was over. The viewers could hear her shouting in Creole and claiming “the world is coming to an end”. Because of videos like this one, people across the globe are able to experience the chaos and fear of this disaster.
In the future, I believe the use of social networks and mobile technology will continue to increase becoming an even larger part of our daily life. As we saw in the 2008 Presidential elections, mobile technology and social networks helped gain support for President Obama. He utilized these networks to get his message to the public. The Twitter Report on the Fox website showed that the day before the election, President Obama had millions of followers on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube while Senator McCain has far less. The article on FoxNews.com continued to explain that many Republicans in Congress are now taking advantage of social networking sites like Twitter to communicate with the American people. By speaking directly to the public, the Republican Party could gain more support for their issues and bills. They are learning to effectively use various social networking sites which may benefit their political needs.
Currently, mobile technology plays an integral part in my everyday life. I use my BlackBerry to stay in touch with my family, friends, and professors. I am able to use it for social purposes as well as in my academic life. It allows me to call, text, and email friends as well as contact professors and receive updates about TCNJ and my courses. Social networks are also part of my daily life however mobile technology is more useful to me. I have a Facebook account which helps me stay in contact with family and friends who do not live close by. I am able to chat with them, share photos, and stay up to date with the happenings in each of our lives.
I feel “new media” like mobile technology and social networks are a very important aspect of communicating in today’s world. It is a relatively new concept especially to older generations who have not grown up using this type of technology. It is a large adjustment to make but I believe it is a necessary one. These new types of media are very effective and help one stay connected to their colleagues, family, friends, and other individuals we communicate with. However, while I do feel this new media should be learned and used, it is important to not forget about older forms of communication.
Social networking and mobile technology can be great tools, but they cannot replace the effectiveness of interpersonal and small group communication. These new forms of media take the personality out of communicating and can often cause miscommunication between a sender and receiver. When we use this type of media we must be aware of the complications that surround it, such as noise and discrepancies as to the meaning of the message itself. Overall I believe new media is a great addition to older forms of communication and will be very useful in the future.
As a Communication Studies major, I explore the impact of new media, and how it is slowly overpowering old media. New media, to me, includes newspapers, magazines, and cable television. On the other hand, new media includes social networking sites, the internet in general, and technology such as TiVo or OnDemand that allow individuals to very easily fast forward through commercials, so that less advertisements are seen and more of the show/movie is seen. Because of the Internet, newspapers and smaller-scale magazines are slowly going out of business, mainly because articles and the news are easily and readily available via the Internet. Print seems to be a privilege of the past, while the Internet is turning into a necessity of the future.
ReplyDeleteDon’t get me wrong—I do not think new technology and media are bad. In fact, they are convenient, and never seem to amaze me through what can be done using this technology. The future implications for social networks and mobile technology are endless—technology will continue to advance more and more, therefore being used for more things. For example, social networking sites were used to save lives in Haiti. They are also used for academic purposes or professional purposes—in an internship I had last semester, I often tweeted exciting Public Relations news, thus reaching out to other professionals in the field. In terms of mobile technology, the implications are endless. Nowadays, people are able to watch a movie, check email, and use a GPS via their cell phone. It is possible that mobile technology will dominate all technology, as it essentially has everything that a person needs right in their pocket.
Social networking sites and new media make academics and professional environments more convenient, and allows for easier communication. Take this blog, for example. Through this website, us as a class are staying in touch and in a way networking with each other through comments that we post. Saying that, however, does suggest that people who do not hop on the new media bandwagon will be left behind. Essentially, new media develops in ways every single year, month, and day. By not keeping up with the technology that is coming out, people will be left behind and baffled by the technology that keeps on developing.
During the school year I work at a middle school after school program. I hear all the students talking about how they have or are getting myspace/facebook/twitter. It is very shocking to hear this from middle school students because when I was in middle school, there was no way I had any of these networks. The only available one was myspace, and I did not like that at all. Most of their conversation revolves around what other people have said to friends, gossiping and such on these social networks. I can definitely see future mobile technology enhancing, considering almost every new phone these days is basically a mini computer.
ReplyDeleteI do think that some of the networks can play a negative part in one’s life. People post pictures, comments, events, etc. for all to see and it is very hard to keep some of these things private. You never know who is going to see what you are posting on these social networks. Employers and educators are searching these networks in order to get a better understanding of who you really are and when they see pictures of underage drinking and other negative pictures, it will hurt your chances of getting into a school or getting a job.
In the future, I think that social networks will actually be used in professional settings, for easier communication. This is why that some employers actually want younger employees because they are more familiar with the technology. However, I do think this is a reason why America has become a very overweight country. If the technology gets more advanced in the future, more people will spend more time of these social networks, therefore, less time outside and running around.
This new media will become very effective because it will be a lot faster than some of the means of technology now, like e-mail. Now people can instant message and even see each other on the computer. This would be very beneficial for companies who are far apart but need to communicate. It would cut down on travel expenses; however, it isn’t really face to face communication, which I think is the most efficient means on communication.
I think there are definitely both positive and negative future implications for social networks and mobile technology. As we have all seen throughout the last decade, technological advances have provided a lot more convenience that, truthfully, would have never been possible without them. I remember back to freshman orientation when our tour guide explained to the newly accepted students and their parents how a lot of the professors at TCNJ post their lectures online for students to view after class, and students and professors regularly email each other regarding questions, comments, and concerns they may have. Although this was only a couple of years ago, even the concept of using e-mail and the Internet so regularly for classes was intriguing. Also, although I would have not said this even as far as five years ago, I could not picture our world without Facebook, as I do think it is a very useful tool for harnessing connections and keeping in contact with friends and family. In the Twongress Study it shows how powerful a tool Twitter is becoming for senators, congressmen, and even the President to keep in contact with their followers- and what better way to connect with the younger generations than to utilize their networks?
ReplyDeleteHowever, I am not totally convinced that all of this new technology is necessarily a good thing. As Gina mentioned previously, the younger generation is becoming more and more dependent upon technologies and the use of social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace. Now, as I walk through the mall or wait online at the store, I see children as young as five-years-old deeply engaged in their (or hopefully their parents) iPhones, which have games, internet, phone, and music all combined into one small 4”x2” gadget. It is amazing the knowledge and capabilities these children are learning at such a young age from using these kinds of technologies, along with the social networking sites, the Playstation and Wii entertainment systems, and everything else targeting these new technology-savvy generations. But what is in store for the future – if children do not immediately jump on the bandwagon and get to know this new world, will they never fit in with the rest of their classmates and friends, and later on, against their coworkers and competitors?
My boyfriend’s father is a mechanical engineer at Johnson & Johnson. A couple of months ago, his boss had constantly been bothering him to take the company Blackberry phone that they wanted to give him, so that they could keep closer in touch with him on a more regular basis rather than just using e-mail on the computer. He refused to give in because he did not want to have a Blackberry with him all of the time, going off every other minute with a comment from work. However, one morning he showed up for a 7:00 a.m. meeting only to find that no one else was there. His boss passed the room an hour later and said, “What’s the matter Mike, didn’t you see the e-mail I sent at midnight last night that the meeting this morning was cancelled?” (Unfortunately after this incident, his boss convinced him to take the company Blackberry). It is situations like these that make me weary about what technology will do to the merging of our careers and personal lives. Will we all eventually be forced to be on call 24/7 under our jobs, so that even when we are not physically at work at nights or weekends, our minds might be forced to be? As I had mentioned before, there are obviously many ways technologies and social networking sites have provided convenience. In fact, it is hard not to say that we do not need these technologies when you see the miracles and help being performed during the Haiti tragedy due to the Internet and Facebook. However, I am still troubled by what is possibly to come in terms of technology for my career, what will be expected of me, and how quickly this will leak into my personal life.
As evident by the FoxNews segment and the Twitter article New Media has already saturated society. For younger generations mobile technology and internet based communication is common place and intuitive. Sending an email has become a natural form of communication for students and professionals alike. Just as with any modern change new technology comes with positive and negative aspects. The Haiti news report demonstrates one of the positive aspects of new media. The modern conveniences of mobile and instantaneous communication through the internet and cell phones literally save lives in this example. Cases like Haiti show the utility of new media in a basic practical way, while the Twitter article shows how the new media is saturating even older generations in more established careers. Both cases can be seen as an example of why new media will not disappear in the future, it is too useful. However, personally, I feel that new media does have its limitations. Emails and texts cannot replace a traditional phone call or face-to-face communication and I feel that many modern people, my generation included, are loosing some of the practical skills associated with interpersonal communication.
ReplyDeleteThere are many students and people I know who would rather write an email than make a phone call. There is no pressure in an email and much of the emotional response is taken out. If an individual has to ask a hard question or ask for something they may be denied it is easier to pose those questions in an email than experience an actual conversation. I think this is a downfall of modern technology and one which many adults who did not grow up with the ability to text often do not understand. Why send a text message when a phone call is just as easy? The internet cannot completely remove face-to-face interpersonal communication but it is making it a less practiced skill among young users and I think it might limit their ability to effectively communicate through older media channels. Because of the ability to instantaneously communicate and the convenience of new media I think it will be ever more prevalent in the future and will continue to grow and develop in more useful ways, however it is uncertain how this continued growth will affect individuals’ ability to effectively communicate in traditional ways.
I feel as if the attention that Haiti has received would not be to the same magnitude if it were not for the numerous different forms of communication that are available today. Without the use of cell phones and Internet sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, people would never have had the chance to see the damage first hand. I would like to believe that the American people would still have tried to organize relief efforts solely based on the reports that were coming out of Haiti, yet part of me does not feel it would have. By seeing these videos and pictures, we as a country are able to feel as if we have emotional ties to this country and feel much more connected.
ReplyDeleteWith that being said I also feel as if it is remarkable that so many people were able to not only send a visual image out, yet save their lives. It is unbelievable to think that a woman in Haiti was able to save her life due to a facebook status that was read in Canada.
As for my personal life, social networking and mobile technology plays a huge role in everything I do. My generation has taken the numerous ideas such as texting, instant messaging, facebook, twitter, and many other technologies and ran with them. I could not picture my life if it were not for email or texting due to the fact that I rely so heavily on it as means of communication. The same can be said for many of my friends as well my teachers and coaches. Many times my coach will text me with practice times and teachers will cancel class by emailing early on in the day.
Although these technologies do play such a vital role in my life, I believe that not all of it will be positive later on. Although I have began to wise up with my facebook, many people have been declined jobs due to the fact that they have immature pictures and videos posted on their wall. Yet, at the same time our generation will be able to have an advantage with Internet communication. Like I stated earlier, many teachers and coaches rely heavily on email and texting, and so too do many companies. I see my father struggle on a daily basis with the many emails and text messages that he has to answer. Thus answering the question that yes, if someone in today’s business world does not learn quickly, they can ultimately be left behind when it comes to social networking and mobile communication.
The use of social networking sites during the devastation in Haiti is astounding. Sites like Facebook and Twitter were not taken very seriously when first introduced, however now they are helping to save lives. The ability to post news and videos so quickly after the earthquake allowed for social networking sites to begin the rescue efforts and spread awareness of the event. Without these tools, I do not think the aid and support could have happened so quickly. With first hand accounts of the destruction being tweeted and posted the rest of the world is able to attain the information almost immediately.
ReplyDeleteSocial networking and the ability to tweet, email, and text are really advancing the ways in which people communicate. A job applicant’s Facebook page can make or break them. I have friends who have not gotten jobs because of an over exposed profile, as well as friends who have lost current jobs once their employers found then on social networking sites. New media has both its ups and downs. While a Facebook status saved someone from the rubble in Haiti, it has also cost people their jobs.
However, even with the downside of it all, it is quite apparent that new media is becoming a very strong force in modern communication. I babysit for a family where the mother is a partner at a law firm and the father is a medical doctor. Email and text messaging have become the prominent way in which they contact me to check on the children. Many times if I did not check my text messages I would have not gotten to work on time or missed bringing the kids to a school event. It almost seems that with the onset of new mobile media, people do not need to plan ahead as much because contacting people through text messaging and email is instant. Similarly, The College of New Jersey requires all students to check their emails daily, and even in emergency situations, students receive text messages for important information and warnings.
Witnessing my parents’ amazement in Facebook’s ability to help find someone in Haiti shows that it is already becoming vital to keep up with new media. My parents have very limited knowledge of new media and it is evident that if they had to go into the workforce and find careers today, they would be unable to keep up with the changing technology and find themselves lost in a modern workplace. While text messaging and social networking have several glitches, it seems that new media will only continue to gain a prominent role is business and professional communication.
The impact of new social media continues to amaze me. The extent to which one website, a link or an email has astounding impacts on the world. If it were not for the use of these new areas of media we would not see the devastation as well as miracles that are happening each day. These new media allow us to better understand and sympathize with those in Haiti. They provide a first hand experience to those thousands of miles away. It is with a better understanding of these that such an outpouring of relief and foreign aid came quickly. With just one text messages with the word, “Haiti” $10 is donated to the Red Cross. Through the use of the White House’s Blog, social networking sites and texts over two million dollars in donations have been raised for Haiti. According to The New York Times, the heightened levels of awareness can be seen through the use of Twitter and other social networking sites. “Facebook reported that users posted more than 1,500 status updates a minute containing the word Haiti.” Through the use of mobile technologies and social networking sites the world has reached a new level of communication.
ReplyDeleteI think that this immediate response to the disaster in Haiti says a lot about the future of social networks and mobile technology. During this disaster these new media are continuing to provide a means of communication. Through this disaster, the world has a heightened level of awareness of the power of a social network and mobile network. I hope that the future of new media and technology continues to help communities in need as well give us a better understanding of the world around us. It is through the use of reading that we become more educated. Reading a Blog or a Twitter may not be the same as sitting down reading a textbook but it provides the new level of education. A level of awareness and creates a new dimension to relationships.
These relationships continue with our current use of social media. I currently use the social networking site’s to communicate and maintain relationships with an array of people. It allows me to further develop my relationships with my friends as well as provides me with a network for my future. These networking sites are a fundamental part of my life. It is with better understanding of these sites and of the new and important means of communications I hope to begin my future.
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/1-million-in-donations-for-haiti-via-text-message/
The latest natural disaster in Haiti is a great example on just how integral social networks have become in our daily lives. To hear about someone being saved in Haiti because they sent a message to their friend in Canada is simply amazing. I would definitely have to say that the high usage of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter have definitely sped up the relief efforts by placing pressure on different people and different organizations. An example of this can be seen on Facebook, where people are constantly creating groups that are trying to provide a way to fund the relief efforts. One such group claims to be donating a quarter to Haiti for every person that joins the group. Another major media device that is helping to speed up the relief process is YouTube. It is very easy to find videos of the scenes of destruction that many people are currently living in. One video that I found had a reporter who was walking around a hospital and there were people that he said had been in line for days. One woman was on the floor with a broken leg and then a couple feet away a dead child could be seen on the floor with a white sheet over them. It was horrific to watch and I am sure that videos such as these have greatly helped in the relief effort.
ReplyDeleteIt is simply amazing to see just how many different uses are being found for the many different social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. In 2006, when I first became a member of Facebook I never saw it as a serious tool that could ever be used for anything other than a social network. However, I soon realized that I was wrong. These social networks have exploded in popularity and it seems as though everyone has one and are being used for numerous different reasons. Today, many of these social networks are being used for many different reasons. I personally do not use twitter so I will mostly be speaking about my experiences on Facebook. A current usage of Facebook that I have personally found helpful is the creation of groups as well as events. As was shared about me in class I am currently a Community Advisor in Cromwell and this is my third year in that position. At the beginning of the year having a Facebook group for your new floor is extremely helpful. It provides you with a link to meet the new members of your floor and to help get them all together so that they can also meet each other. Also, the events are also very useful because it is an easy and free way to advertise a program that I am currently running and it helps to try to get them to attend. Facebook also has new features such as fan pages where you can follow celebrities and also different companies and products.
These social networks will only continue to grow; however I cannot see any more possible usages for these networks. The only thing that I could possibly see happening is employers forcing their employees to use twitter so that they can follow them more closely to see how and where they are spending their time. That is quite invasive though.
I think the availability of images and video footage from people using technology in Haiti definitely led to a much faster response time from foreign countries and aid organizations. Recordings on cell phones, uploading to Youtube via mobile internet, etc. allows this footage to be seen around the world much faster than would be possible using traditional forms of media, i.e. news crews. It is far too easy to hear about a disaster like this on the news and simply dismiss it because most of us have no idea what it is like to be in such a situation, and we have much different frames of reference than the people in Haiti during the earthquake. Being able to see and hear footage like this immediately brings it much closer to home. Hurricane Katrina happened only 4-5 years ago and already the technology has changed so much and the response was much different than it was to the Haitian earthquake.
ReplyDeleteSocial networking and mobile technology is something that will just continue to increase in importance in personal and professional life. Everything today is so fast paced and it is becoming more and more difficult to remain relevant without utilizing these technologies. Networking is one of the most important skills to have in the professional arena, and online networking sites such as Facebook make it easier to stay in contact with people from all over the country and the world. Academically, it is great to be able to manage everything via email and texting. However, I believe that being constantly connected to the world can take a toll on emotional well being. There are so many people that simply cannot turn off or stay away from their computers, iPhones, Blackberries, etc. even for a few hours. I think it is very important for people to be able to have a separate personal and professional life, and the ability to be constantly connected is blurring this distinction. It can also be stressful because the technology changes so fast that one has to be constantly vigilant to make sure they are learning how to use the newest technology and not getting left behind in the “dark ages”. I would like to think that at some point we will reach a balance between being constantly connected and being left behind, but it is hard to see that point in the near future.
As to the question regarding the impact of technology and social networking on the recent tragedy that look place in Haiti, there is little doubt that sites like Facebook, Twitter and mySpace have changed the way that we handle crisises. There are countless examples of the way in which the internet and cellular technology have impacted the world's response to the earthquake in Haiti. First and foremost, as the Fox News video demonstrated, cellular technology has allowed the world to see the structural devastation in Haiti. The impact of the pictures and videos have been tremendous on the world's perception of the earthquake. Due to our technology we live in an extremely visual society. Seeing real pictures and footage makes people around the world more likely to donate their time, resources and money.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the future of social networking and mobile technology, I think the possibilities are endless. In the past decade we've come from cellular phones that had sub-par service reliability to a variety of smart phones that can search the internet at high speeds, take pictures, capture videos, and much more. In the meanwhile, technology affects nearly every part of American life. From work to school to socializing, we are dependent upon the internet and mobile technologies. On the collegiate level, schools like TCNJ have stopped mailing transcripts, report cards, and bills. Instead, all of our information can be accessed electronically. We register for classes on the internet, contact professors via e-mail and acces important documents and syllabi online.
In the future, technology and mobile devices will contine to become the means through which we live and access information. The world is becoming increasingly global in nature. Technology has shrunk both time and space by making face-to-face conversations possible with people in different continents. We rely on technology and mobile devices to keep us connected to people in different time zones and hemispheres with whom we do business.
And while technology greatly benefits the world in situations like the one we are currently experiencing in Haiti, it also have very negative effects. Technology is replacing manpower and human jobs at an alarming rate. Moreover, while countries like the United States, England, China and Japan grow their technologies by leaps and bounds every year, we make it that much more difficult for third world countries in Africa and South America to close the gap of economic disparity.
The astonishing tragedy of Haiti that we have all had the opportunity to witness has shown how amazing technology has become to assist in times of trouble. Viewing a variety of videos from news sources has brought to everyone’s attention that social networking sites have connected some Haitian individuals to aid. In many of those instances, lives would certainly be lost if they could not share their location like they did. Having these messages and videos shared with the public so rapidly was a blessing as charitable donations and support came immediately. We were able to view the terrible state of Haiti and become connected with the catastrophe right from the beginning. As soon as I found out about it, for example, I simply texted a number and donated 10 dollars to the Red Cross.
ReplyDeleteSince this event has shown the world how technology has brought about the ability to promptly become knowledgeable about disasters and other happenings, social networks and mobile tools will most definitely become even more advanced. In the political arena, this progression has already helped each party connect with the public on a more direct and personal level. For example, Senator McCain’s tweets update his followers on what bills he is dealing with, when he will be appearing on television, updates on various political issues and sometimes personal messages about football and his mom. This can make people pay attention to the news and personally connect to his thoughts and actions. The frightening elements associated with politics are dishonesty and corruption – with this new technology, there is a fresh chance that citizens can be included in up-to-date coverage from the individuals directly involved in the government, which is a pretty cool thought.
Looking back on a life without Facebook and cell phones is strange now that it has become so standard. I use my phone to directly receive emails, schedule out my days, and even receive Twitter updates from individuals ranging from Glenn Beck to Taylor Swift. I have a busy schedule so texting and facebooking my parents has made my life so much easier. The “new media” is necessary in my life as well as the majority of my generation and it will only become more advanced. Keeping up with these changes will connect you more with the people you care about as well as people who need your help, like the Haitians.
Mobile technology, while distracting at times, is more beneficial than not. I feel that no matter what I am literally always able to be in contact with someone. My phone allows me to talk, text, use the Internet, and access my email. It is a great phone to have for last minute emergencies/notifications such as a class cancellation or some type of emergency. For Delta Zeta, our crisis management plan includes twitter. For the past year I was a member of the executive board as the risk management chair, so using twitter was my idea. Everyone was required to follow the president and myself in case a last minute emergency/message should arise.
ReplyDeleteSo while people may see it as dumb, stupid, and drama causing, it does have its positives also. Many times within the past year someone has had to send a message regarding a last minute “emergency” before a meeting or event; this was the most effective way to get everyone’s attention fast. Yes emails do get to everyone also, but not everyone has a phone that allows access to emails. Using twitter is like sending a mass text message; therefore it can get sent to everyone quickly. People who do not keep up with the modern trends of technology may fall behind, not on purpose, but as a lack of fitting in by default. There are so many times when I will be out and say to someone, “Did you see the e mail that was just sent?” and then I realize that they have a phone without an e-mail capability. So then someone who has a phone and has checked her e mail will start talking about the e mail, and the person without the technology is left out – again not on purpose but it just happens.
Of course, the mobile advanced technology does have its downsides also. I feel myself becoming more antisocial when I am out at dinner – always texting or looking for something on the Internet. I really am trying to make a conscious effort to put my phone away when in the company of others because I come across rude when not talking. Academically, I feel that I am not impacted by modern technology. I take most of my notes on the computer, that way I can edit them, print them, and keep them organized to study. I also use e mail to keep in contact with the Professors for my classes, so having the iPhone allows me to receive emails immediately as they are sent out. I feel that people do not have time to sit and talk on the phone anymore. Texting is a great way to keep in contact with people. I text my mom, grandma, little cousins, friends, (etc).
With the earthquake in Haiti, I do not think the response would be as overwhelming if it had not been for the current technology. People were able to quickly see the damage done and aid was sent almost immediately. If video blogs were not possible, people may not know how devastating the destruction actually was. With regards to the girl that was stuck in the rubble, if she had not had Facebook capabilities, she might never have been found. There are pros and cons to everything in life, but as long as things are used in moderation and not abused, nothing will get out of control.
Social networks and mobile technology are expanding and advancing at a remarkable rate. I remember when Facebook first came out, it was for college students, and you joined as part of your school's network. Now anyone can have a Facebook. You can join with your city as your network or with no network at all. Mobile technology continues to amaze me. My phone does everything and eliminates the need to even check emails because I receive an alert as soon as one is sent to me. I know that the cell phone and mobile broadband companies will continue to strive for improvement because they are in such fierce competition with one another. (We have all seen the commercials recently in which Verizon and AT+T bash each others' networks.)
ReplyDeleteFor the consumer, this is great news since we are all able to stay in constant contact with so many people these days. The only downside is when these devices fail, as I have seen happen with some phones. They freeze just like a computer and we are reminded that our technology is not without some faults.
Our internet based society has had a positive impact on the academic setting. I find it so convenient that we have SOCS, campus email, FB groups, blogs, etc. It really extends the classroom experience and allows us to see or do things we may not have time for in class. Also, in one of my other classes, the professor showed a video and we did not have time to finish it in class. I was able to watch it from Netflix on my computer and then write a discussion about it. I look at all of these things that were not available to us years ago and wonder what will come out within the next decade that we cannot even imagine yet.
We do have to use caution when using public sites for our private relationships. It is becoming more and more common for Facebook to be mentioned as a reason for a couple getting a divorce! Also, our future employers will not want to see us on the internet in some trashy display of intoxication or any other inappropriate situation. We must practice some level of privacy and restraint since anyone can access the internet at any time and may not like what they see.
As far as people being left behind if they do not network on a social site or know how to use mobile technology the answer is yes to a certain extent. For example, there are many people who are content in their current job who may not wish to create profiles to advance them further in their careers, so they may choose not to participate in FB, Twitter, Myspace. However, they may still have family that lives across the county that they could keep in better contact with if they had a Facebook account or bothered to download Skype. Some areas of their lives may be unaffected by their lack of social networking, but they may not even realize the convenience and benefits they are missing in other aspects. They could even be missing simply on keeping up with the nation and current events, as the Twongress Study showed us.
The importance of new media becomes even more obvious when we see how it can be used to document a tragic event, such as the recent earthquake. I have previously thought it unnecessary that some people update their status constantly, but the ability to do so has so much potential for greater good. It is not every day that someone's status will help save their life. It is more common; however, that we will be updated on an event such as one meant to raise money to help relief efforts in Haiti. Either way, something good comes out of a bad situation thanks to social media.
It is also important to add a quick note on how new media supplements more traditional sources. An author of a book can use their FB profile to promote their newest novel. Most newspapers also have websites that allow a greater number of news stories to be covered. We can email the author of a certain article if we disagree with what was written. As popular as social networks and mobile technology are these days, it seems they still work very well in conjunction with older media, as well.
Over the past couple of years, technology and the media have become an even bigger part of our every day lives. By just observation, just about everyone entering high school has a cell phone, and some kids have had them for much longer than that.
ReplyDeleteMy generation has grown up around technology, but it still surprises me when I see 8 year olds walking around with cell phones or making Facebook accounts. When I was that age, this type of media was practically unheard of, and if someone put a cell phone in my hand, I wouldn’t even have known what to do with it.
Currently, technology has greatly impacted my experiences. I have had the iPhone for about a year and a half and I have noticed a huge change in how much I use technology. I now have the Internet and email at my fingertips whenever and wherever I want. I can easily respond to an email or send one when I first think of it rather than waiting and possibly forgetting. I find myself constantly referring back to emails for my schedules, notes, and assignments. It has proven to help me a lot, but I can also see how it can be distracting.
Recently, I have signed up for text alerts from TCNJ. For those that apply, they receive texts from the campus when important events occur. This could be a school closing or about a robbery. I find this technology very useful as well as important. Most students check their phones before their emails, so it is one of the best ways to get in contact with them. It is nice to know that if something ever happened on or near campus that could be a potential problem, I would find out about it within minutes. This helps us feel much safer, which is important when living away from home.
Sometimes people become obsessed with technology and end up tuning out other people. Students use their phones in class and miss out on assignments and/or notes that we need. We also miss out what people are saying to us in a face-to-face conversation because people can’t stop texting for five minutes. However, although there are some negative aspects, technology benefits society as a whole.
Because of how rapidly technology is developing, I do think that eventually those people that aren’t using up to date technology such as a social networking site or mobile device will eventually be left behind. Jobs used to be posted in the newspaper, and that was one of the most common ways to look for future work. At this point, most available positions are listed online through the company’s website or through a job search engine. Without knowing how to use the Internet, people can miss out on opportunities to find a job. Using technology is also a key to most jobs. Without this knowledge, it will be more difficult to get promoted and/or accomplish simple jobs tasks.
Technology is only going to become more advanced, and for my generation it is important to stay as up to date as possible. For older generations that didn’t grow up with this technology, it is important to try and learn as much as they can, especially with the Internet, email, and cell phones, so that they don’t become completely lost.
In my opinion, the response to Haiti was so great because of technology. It is hard to understand the devastation that occurred just through newspaper articles and stories. With media, everyone was able to see videos on the news, and pictures that were taken on mobile devices from people that witnessed it. For most people it is hard to imagine just how bad something is when there isn’t a picture to go along with it. Seeing all of the people left homeless, and kids left alone without their parents, really hit home for most people and made them want to donate.
For people in danger to update their Twitters, Facebook statuses, and send text messages so that they can be rescued, in my opinion, is absolutely amazing. It really goes to show you how far we have come over the past decade, and the differences that it has already made throughout the world.
Social networking sites and mobile technology have become normal forms of communication. Elementary age children have Myspace pages, Facebook accounts, and even cellular devices. Many prefer to text their friends or write on wall post than actually calling or visiting other people.Yes, these technological advances have made it easier for people to stay connected, but how in depth are the connections? How sincere or encouraging can you really be through a text message. To an extent activities such as tweeting or Facebook chat have taken away actual conversation.
ReplyDeleteIf one does not have a cell phone or is not a member of a networking site he or she may be excluded from information, which can range from a party invite to updates regarding campus housing. TCNJ Housing has a Facebook page where important updates are posted. Though these technologies can offer quick responses or insight into people's lives there are negative aspects besides the loss of real communication. Cell phones are sometimes used to capture unflattering pictures or video. The items are then uploaded to sites such as Youtube for the world to see as well as future employers or even parents. Other cons with these sites is the "stalking" factor. People can constantly search for you over the internet or view your photos because everything that is posted on these sites become public information.These sites have to an extent, become an invasion of privacy.
Although there are many cons with these forms of new media, they still serve great purposes. For example, important national or global information can be shared instantly, it can help find missing children or raise money for disadvantage people(most recently Haiti). There were many groups that were created on the Facebook site to support the people of Haiti and videos to illustrate the extreme need for help. The same thing was done for the Jena6 and other political situations.In regards to Haiti,if we did not have these technologies the story would not have spread as easily and could have resulted in the death of even more people because they were never discovered. Skype and Twitter also allowed for family members to remain connected and in many cases discover the fate of those located on the island. Text messaging has made it easy to donate to rebuilding Haiti as well as groups that were created on Facebook. On another note,it is awesome that more people in politics are becoming active with these sites. In doing so, they can stay in touch with the voters and truly hear or read the needs of the people.
My hope for the future is that people will use these technologies for good and not sleazy or cruel gossip. If used properly, we could all become mini journalist who can educate one another in a fun manner.