Ford introduces the idea that social media has no real feelings involved in the posts people make on twitter and facebook. People can show their tremendous loss of a loved one by posting photos and statuses of grief one second, and update a post about their new born nephew the next. One day it becomes an issue that people around the world talk about, and it's gone or covered by a more updated and interesting news the next day. Ford describes social media as without a beginning or an end. “This world of old media is like a giant steampunk machine that organizes time into stories. I call it the Epiphanator, and it has always known the value of a meaningful conclusion.” The New Media has taken over the old media, facebook and online books have taken over publishing insitutions. Why do people participate in social media? Because through this “Whole Earthers”, the whole Earth can indeed participate and put a voice in what they believe need to be spoken of and shared with the world. Social media provides equal chances, and everyone desires it.
Supporting Links:
1. http://www.quora.com/Social-Media-Marketing/Why-is-social-media-one-of-the-most-important-marketing-tools
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw-saZ95OgY
3. http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/social-media/Social-media-s-real-impact-is-on-old-media.asp
Discussion Questions
1. Is it true that social media has no feelings? What if some people actually do express gratitude or grief because their only connection is through social media? One example, family separated in different continents that can only share news with each other through facebook. How would they be evaluated as having true feelings or not?
2. To what extent are people's 'ideas and opinions' being heard? Can one post really impact the whole world? What are the qualification for it?
Supporting Links:
1. http://www.quora.com/Social-Media-Marketing/Why-is-social-media-one-of-the-most-important-marketing-tools
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw-saZ95OgY
3. http://www.medialifemagazine.com/artman2/publish/social-media/Social-media-s-real-impact-is-on-old-media.asp
Discussion Questions
1. Is it true that social media has no feelings? What if some people actually do express gratitude or grief because their only connection is through social media? One example, family separated in different continents that can only share news with each other through facebook. How would they be evaluated as having true feelings or not?
2. To what extent are people's 'ideas and opinions' being heard? Can one post really impact the whole world? What are the qualification for it?