Mashable - The Social Media Guide - Latest Comments in Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

socialtwit — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:19:08 -0000

I think social media is both a bane and a boon when it comes to our "face" as people of this hightech generation. In a way, yes, it makes us better people because we go to lengths that other people may not see us as nuts. But then again, it makes us very vain. Let's face it, we want to see our faces everywhere and for other people to recognize us, right? So in effect, we do all we can to create a roar for ourselves. Does this--being vain--makes us better people? I think not. It only makes us more aware of what we can do for ourselves. Very much like the 15-minutes of stardom that people from yesterday dreamed of.

http://twittertoolslist.com

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

socialtweet — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:51:44 -0000

Actually, I think social media makes us vain people. Whatever it is that they say about the lost of our privacy, in the end, it all boils down to wanting our face seen by many people. Though, I must somehow agree that in a way, it does makes us conscious of the way we act. But it doesn't necessarily makes us better people.

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Twitter Tools Lister — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:31:43 -0000

What is great about Social Media and the blurring of boundaries that it brought is that it empowers us as individuals. With regards to the question of making us nicer to one another, it is very possible that social media can make us nicer individuals. It also can make us more critical and responsible individuals.

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Don Rhoades — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:32:41 -0000

As Machiavelli stated: "an armed society is a polite society", and everyone with an internet connection is "armed" with a watchful eye on their neighbors, government, and themselves.

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Brandon Peele — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:19:00 -0000

Social media makes us only more connected to the existing social contract. To the extent that the contract is good, we are better people. To the extent that the contract is bad, we are. This begs deeper philosophical questions that lie far outside the scope of this site. I argued a possible outcome of the transparency of social media on namasteeconomics.com, which you might find interesting.

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

shane mcloughlin — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:13:45 -0000

The concluding headline of social conscience does seem fitting here!
The web has created the possibility for a kind of crowd sourced big brother. Big Brother doesn't become some burecratic and institutionalised entity, it becomes the will of sections of society.
This creates a whole new dystopian vision. As it seems to suggest less possibility for true self determination and free will, Social media being a more efficient and
effective means of keeping society in check, in an age of increasing population and urbanisation.
It is worth noting though that the ratio to consumer contributor on the web is incredibly small ranging from .2% (youtube) to 5% (wikipedia) at best.
Overall, it points to the increased need for reflexive web use, with a degree of caution and vigilance with regard to what one says on websites.

see; relativemusings.blogspot.com

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Apple Blotter - social news fo — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:24:17 -0000

Not sure if social media makes us better people, but it can certainly help us communicate better and stay more informed with what interests us.

One of the greatest advantages of any social media website, is the ability of the community to influence mainstream. Whether it's Twitter, Facebook, or AppleBlotter --- people discover new people, groups, communities that interest them and share similar interests.

All that said, I think many people act differently but not necessarily as a different person. Being aware of things can be a form of enlightenment, no? Handling and what you do with that enlightenment is the real question.

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Rohan — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:51:01 -0000

I think so - particularly how its transparency can be considered a prompt for
ethical action. If you want a particularly Buddhist take on this whole issue check out

http://www.21awake.com/?p=465

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

David - LA Marketing Firm — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:13:38 -0000

With all due respect, you know that social media is merely a communication tool
like every other. Let's not fool ourselves. There are the myspace murder
incidents, the ability to communally ostracize someone publicly has great
repercussions. It just amplifies current social values.

Undoubtedly, there are numerous benefits to social media. Having people's private
lives come out has positives and negatives...

The question shouldn't be "what can we do to use social media to bring out the
best sides of ourselves, and minimize the negative stuff"...

And that's a good question - something that I haven't spent close to enough time
on.

(It's mostly been spent simply using the social media ;) )

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Zoe Whitton — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:17:40 -0000

Social Media makes us more powerful. It dilutes the power of traditional governing bodies by breaking down barriers. Because we access information and respond faster we operate in swarms. We can respond rapidly to any event without being restricted by our governments or nations.

The funds raised for the recent fires in the South came partly from people who witnessed the aftermath through social media, and it came fast. The death threats and exposed identities of arsonists also happened online, on Facebook.

Social media allows us to act on whatever we want, faster and more effectively than ever. We got more funds for that incident than we could have hoped for otherwise, and the facebook groups are being shut down. Better people in this instance.

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

John Davis — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 20:34:38 -0000

Wow, you actually do raise some pretty valid points!

RT
www.anonymity.eu.tc

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Stan Sanders — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:41:17 -0000

Pete,

Are we better people due to social media is an interesting question. Being
more aware of each other and the world around us should improve the human
condition, but people are still people. Some will be more affected by this
than others, some it probably will not change at all. I do wonder, is this
leading us to have less face to face communication, which would be a loss.

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Jerry Kambic — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:38:31 -0000

I have always felt that people coming together in an exchange of ideas would change the world. I also believe it is happening today as we discuss this very topic. If the entire world could exchange ideas governments would have to deal with the will of the people. More citizen journalism and gobal thinking is what will make this planet a better place to live. Remember,the human race will not out last this planet. Let's all enjoy the little time we all have to be alive. Peace

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Christopher — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:36:49 -0000

Connecting is the name of the game here. In our acts to share, publish, inform, and downright annoy, I doubt that behaviors will be shaped into a Mary Poppins way of being. The tools at our fingertips are making the world a lot less formal. Along with this trend comes the lost art of self control and the never ending push to new extremes. Even with all of that said, I do see a trend in "people credit". The people I believe in and the ones I don't. If you act in certain ways or share untruths, you will lose credit. Just like in my in-person life, I chose to associate with people I like or admire. Same goes for the people I am following in Twitter.

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

SuziO — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:21:52 -0000

Better? I am not sure, but well connected: yes. If you know how to select
people and information you want, it could be helpful. We can make nice
friendships all over the world and keep ourselves well informed! It is cool!

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

SuziO — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:21:28 -0000

Better? I am not sure, but well connected: yes. If you know how to select
people and information you want, it could be helpful. We can make nice
firendships all over the world and keep ourselves well informed! It is cool!

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Adrian Ionel — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:00:42 -0000

Absolutely. Knowing is caring. We know more about each other. So we become better friends, citizens, colleagues. And
we learn that what we do is seen and matters. This leads to better behavior.

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Kristina Marie — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:53:35 -0000

As with anything, it can be used for good or evil. And I think we could all
think of examples of social media being used positively and negatively.

But in my experience the "tone" of Twitter and other community forums has been
generally positive and used by people genuinely wanting to help and learn from
one another. This is great to see!

While social media can't "make" us better people, but it can certainly help if
we choose to use it for this purpose.

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Gregory Ferenstein — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:53:02 -0000

Scientifically speaking, Yes, I definitely think it has an impact. But, only in one way:
it makes the younger generation more cosmopolitan.

Gen Y is the _most_ likely to feel like a "citizen of the world".

However, the conditions which facilitate cooperation and empathy are not inherent
to social media: we can barricade ourselves in niche groups as easily as expand our social circle.
I think there's certainly potential given the right system.
@wikiworld

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Melanie Robbins — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:46:58 -0000

This is a great question. I think that the interconnectivity and the decentralized mass distribution of news and ideas via social media, including blogs, is basically a good thing. When Middle Eastern extremists were on a beheading binge a few years back, the exposure did not help them, as I presume they thought it would. The Westâ€™s outrage, which reached its zenith with the beheading of journalist Daniel Pearl, was so forceful that by and large, this tactic has abated. Thank god.

If youâ€™ve been a bosshole and attempt to get a high-level job at a public institution (and the job search is public), you will have trouble now that the Internet is available to all your victims.

And the attempt of newspaper chains in the â€™80s to drive out competitors, thereby making the newshole of a newspaper merely the gray matter that flowed around the ads instead of a competitive forum for democracy, has itself been destroyed by ubiquitous blogs and alternative information (as a journalist who witnessed this, I am laughing at the chains as they continue to lose subscribers â€“ it is their karma coming home to roost.)

Yes, thereâ€™s a lot of bad info out there now. Thatâ€™s the risk. Yes, bad outcomes can be expected if a â€œmob ruleâ€ mentality overtakes a group. Yes, cyberbullying is a bad thing and can have dreadful (suicide of teens) outcomes. Not having access to a wide and vast array of information, or having information controlled by the power elite, is worse in my opinion.

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Reaction Remedy — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:42:01 -0000

Maybe not better people, but it certainly controls our actions.
When we think we are being watched, taped, and remembered at every moment its important to be thoughtful and behave in a socially acceptable manner. Good or bad? Definitely limiting.

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Elevenser — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:40:51 -0000

It doesn't make us nicer, but reminds us that we are to be held accountable for our actions. Twenty or thirty years ago we may have been held accountable to our neighbors or our hometown. Now that we've become more mobile we've simply found a way to scale that accountability.

Same fish, bigger pond?

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Val P. — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:30:12 -0000

Human nature won't change due to social media. The real question is who is the real scoundrel? The one telling the tale or the one being told on? Parents have had to deal with this question for generations. Now it's simply grown up and left for society to judge. It's the very nature of humans to want to know the worst about everyone and only promote your own good. Very few rise above that trend to strive for the best for all of us. Until the social media has more cases of kindness and heroism making the top trend charts than tattling gossip, the social media will still be primarily encouraging our baser natures.

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Michael Langley — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:12:40 -0000

Anything that brings us together is positive for the world. Let's face it, we isolate ourselves on a global level by not learning about and interacting with people from other cultures/parts of the world. Anything that makes this world smaller and gives me insight I did not have is a great thing. Social networks are great for that.

Re: Does Social Media Make Us Better People?

Chris Thomas — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 18:00:41 -0000

Social media both reflect existing patterns and add a few novelties due to new
opportunities for reaching a greater public and also the initial capability for alter egos and anonymity.

So behavior will reflect the choice and range of contacts as well as type of interaction
preferred (family, friends, business, interest groups). After an initial rush of
enthusiasm in making contacts (and how many still see plain counting as an objective in
itself), longer use of any network introduces a natural selection to those contacts of
real interest.

As humans, we readily adapt to different social situations, so the behavior will be
determined by the conventions of whichever group you are interacting with at the time.

As social animals we are also very susceptible to peer pressure and the avoidance of
exclusion by breaking the conventions of a group. My feeling is therefore that social
media do not necessarily make better people, they will make us better communicators in
a variety of networks.