Social Networking
The ways that social networking tools can be used can range from companies, large or small, having a way to interact with customers and promote their products and ordinary people who wish to simply keep in touch with friends and family. This online interaction allows for a wide range of possibilities that result in many benefits. Aside from obvious benefits, such as how it is easier to reach people, one of the main benefits is how people feel more sociable using these technologies. In an article by the NY Times, Clive Thompson describes something known as 'ambient awareness', which is defined as knowing other people's actions and experiences without being physically near them or talking to them. He states that this "Ambient intimacy becomes a way to 'feel less alone'" (Thompson), which is great for people who would not be communicating with their followers if social medias did not exist. Imagine having no social media, how often would people interact with each other on a daily basis or know what is going on in each others lives, and how lonelier would that feel for them?
Despite all of this, there is a dark side to these technologies that may make people feel worse. Unfortunately, some of these technologies have facilitated bullying through online means, and has hurt many people. According to an article by The Chronicle, "For those who missed the drama over JuicyCampus, that site encouraged students to talk trash about their peers in an anonymous forum" (Chronicle). This type of behavior can result in many negative emotions, and although there are features on websites like Facebook and Twitter to block people, there exists the tendency to read what people are saying about you.
It appears that these technologies will not really evolve as time goes on, due to the fact that we already have a social media outlet for just about everything now. LinkedIn for professional networking, Facebook for friends and family, Instagram for pictures, etc. Maybe farther into the future social media will be used for more than just interaction and people might have to be required to have some sort of online ID.
Sources:
https://www.chronicle.com/article/theyre-backtheyre-bad-/48220
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/magazine/07awareness-t.html
Despite all of this, there is a dark side to these technologies that may make people feel worse. Unfortunately, some of these technologies have facilitated bullying through online means, and has hurt many people. According to an article by The Chronicle, "For those who missed the drama over JuicyCampus, that site encouraged students to talk trash about their peers in an anonymous forum" (Chronicle). This type of behavior can result in many negative emotions, and although there are features on websites like Facebook and Twitter to block people, there exists the tendency to read what people are saying about you.
It appears that these technologies will not really evolve as time goes on, due to the fact that we already have a social media outlet for just about everything now. LinkedIn for professional networking, Facebook for friends and family, Instagram for pictures, etc. Maybe farther into the future social media will be used for more than just interaction and people might have to be required to have some sort of online ID.
Sources:
https://www.chronicle.com/article/theyre-backtheyre-bad-/48220
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/magazine/07awareness-t.html
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