Social Networking

Social Networking, a whole new form of social interaction...... virtually. This is in stark contrast to traditional communication which has been done via personal meetings, traditional mail, and even phone calls. This is a tweet here, a post there, and even the occasional tag.

If these words seem foreign it is because they are not wholly acculturated at this point, but they are getting there. Social networking is taking over communication is all variants like a well honed virus over the human immune system, there is just no stopping them. Nor is there really any effort to stop them because lets face it.... they are fun AND convenient. Today, they are used to keep track of high school friends, find jobs, and even grow businesses. No one is limited nor judged in this because it is open to one and all for the enjoyment of all. Think of it like an electronic revolution in freedom.

This is not it, the uses and potential in social networking is endless.  In an article titled "How Obama Tapped Into Social Network's Power", David Carr explains how the Obama administration took advantage of the social networking sites to raise money, awareness, and support. Look at Mr. Obama now, or should I say Mr. President. This helped fast track him into the white house and set a new standard for future political campaigns. We already see most of the political contenders this time around doing the same thing, but big shots are not the only ones getting involved. Students all over the country are sharing in real time what is going on with them at that exact moment. In the article "Brave New World of Digital Intimacy", Clive Thompson explains how people horrified by the potential for their information and status being instantly known soon got over their fear and embraced news feeds and other tools that increased the speed with which users could update each other.

So if they are so great why is there concerns that pop up now and then. Well, having all of your information on one of these sites is kinda like having your undies hanging out your window. Everyone not only sees the undies but the brown streak also. Once posted it is hard to do any sort of damage control. A classic example is Mr. Wiener, a New York Politician who's life and career were destroyed after crude photos of Mr. Wiener's.... well... wiener got out and made the rounds. The sad thing is he posted them himself. This is a testament to the "newness" of social networking. Many people do not quite understand the consequences that would come from an unconscious post or tweet. This is thus the "dark side" of social networking which is not likely to disappear anytime soon.

In the future we will see these technologies take over industry and societies. However, they will also create new industries and societies in return. A double edged sword at the fingertips of every living human...... who know what could happen.

ArcPolitic