I really enjoyed the article, Social media? Get serious! Understanding the functional building blocks of social media by Kietzmann, Hermkens, and Silvestre (2011) because it did a great job breaking down the the fundamentals of what makes social media work. While "relationships" was only one category (2.5) to me, that seemed like it was the theme of all the categories. Each time they referenced the user connecting with other users, I heard relationships. So while I understand wanting to make the distinction for the purpose of the definitions in the article, I couldn't help but think "no matter how specific we break this down, or what category it gets called, it is all still a relationship." I guess that's why we call it social media.
Reading about social media in such a broken down, fundamental way did lead me to think about how much power that we have as consumers. Especially when reading a slightly older that references platforms that aren't used as frequently, or at all any more. People decide what they like and how they want to connect with one another. This entire industry/field/world is based on the fact that people want to have relationships and connect with other people, to me that seems uplifting and empowering.
*Kietzmann, J. H., Hermkens, K., McCarthy, I. P., & Silvestre, B. S. (2011).
Reading about social media in such a broken down, fundamental way did lead me to think about how much power that we have as consumers. Especially when reading a slightly older that references platforms that aren't used as frequently, or at all any more. People decide what they like and how they want to connect with one another. This entire industry/field/world is based on the fact that people want to have relationships and connect with other people, to me that seems uplifting and empowering.
*Kietzmann, J. H., Hermkens, K., McCarthy, I. P., & Silvestre, B. S. (2011).
Hi Leah,
ReplyDeleteI agree that social media can be uplifting and empowering, but it can also be the opposite. It has the power to bring people together and drive a wedge between people. For me, I saw that wedge become most prevalent with the recent election. We've already heard how the election may or may not have been manipulated by social media interference, but even seeing the opinions of others published on social media helped grow that wedge. I'm all for having your own opinions and your own beliefs, more power to you, but don't share those opinions and ALSO facilitate arguments and fights with others who are trying to share their opinion just like you.
Don't even get me started on cyber bullying!
So yes, uplifting and empowering. But there is a dark side to social media too.