M. Regalado
CS 476A, F19
— values of a social tool\
Throughout this entire section, there were constant thoughts both affirming and contradictory when reading each value. What is considered a social tool? What are the responsibilities of a said tool in a capitalistic market? Where are touch points in creating empowering and net-positive experiences? Each value I delved in a bit when thinking about the first social “tools” that come to mind: social media.
Usefulness
The main question here regards whether or not what’s at hand is actually necessary due to its basic functional characteristics. There seems to be a sense of duality when it comes to function and form when thinking back to “means” and “end” — and the first social media account comes to mind here is Twitter.
When Twitter was brought onto the scene, the comparison to Facebook had not only just begun, but there were nuances then. However, over time, the way in which each company is run and what they stand for has completely divided its functional use. To tweet is to share opinions, polls, breaking news, and trending thoughts and statements — all having been brought under the vail of Facebook now. Furthermore, Twitter distinctly has been designed for the interaction within a space between “familiar strangers” and “total strangers” — and its function shines greatly in this realm. ”
Fullness of Expression
Some of the worst behavior online happens with both group and individualized anonymity… and we see this from the many dampened corners of Reddit, 4Chan, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and Twitter.
Yet, there are many emerging corners of galvanizing hope with movements of self-love, environmentalism, music, and ubiquitous access to the arts. Our sense of self and group expression can showcase incorrectly our most polarizing selves, when in reality, we may be showing better faith. I challenge any of these platforms to reward positive playfulness and empathy rather than rewarding the most sensationalist means to an end — but rather help celebrate the better parts of the internet.
Authenticity
As noted just before, how authentic are we representing ourselves on such mediums? Again, many of these mediums reward vainness, shallowness, and calculated responses and shares — and humans are well attuned to knowing when responses and shares are authentic in presentation (context, messaging, timing, etc.).
Furthermore, we should continually critically think about the media we are consuming and understanding how it can and may be affecting us.
Transparency of Use
Now, this is where the cookie crumbs a bit and you haven’t even dipped it in milk yet… When thinking of social media platforms, from which lens are we looking at this? Well, let’s go back to a battle Royale from the very beginning again… Twitter and Facebook.
It’s very clear — well at least now that is thanks to the great work of journalists and conversations regarding privacy — that most social media platforms are making their billions of dollars off of addictive engagement and the largest culprit to date has been Facebook. Though there is this tight rope Twitter must perch on — they have made strides as of recent to banning political ads from their platform, making it a short-term loss financially, though long-term gain for increased trust by users.
It seems critical engagement with social media platforms is slowly making it’s a way to increased transparency of use. How the pendulum will continue to since? There are strong indications of increased critique and the need for transparency.
M. ✌🏽