Saturday, September 8, 2012
Social Constructionist Perspective
We build words through communication in so many different ways in the American culture. The use of symbolism is a huge aspect of who we are and how we identify ourselves. We display stickers on our laptops, cars, phones etc that represent parts of who we are. Often times the media is what helps determine what those symbols mean to us. Another tool that we repeatedly let define our relationships and communications with other people is Facebook. We are connected to so many different people through facebook, that a lot of them we may not have seen in years, yet we know so many details about their lives it is as if we've been with them every day. The awkward part however, is that if you do tend to run into somebody at the grocery store you are not sure whether or not it would be socially acceptable to comment on their facebook posts, in person. A lot of other cultures depend on facebook for communication as well, but the American culture seems to be in the heart of it all. For many it is a way of staying connected with old friends and family which brings happiness. However it is also too often used as a way of "facebook stalking" someone that in reality you have no business even knowing.
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Just imagine the world today without Facebook or a minimal level of social media on the world wide web. The world would probably be 100x different than it is today. I like to say that Facebook is another world than the one in reality. Like you said some people 'Facebook Stalk' so to say, and that is when they look at their profile numerous times and eventually understand the person. However in public its a whole different realm. If you were to see them in public no comment would be made, however on the internet you don't hesitate to comment or interact with that person. It scares me because what will the world be in twenty years? No interaction completely in realty and all on the web? Makes no sense. I would like to say Facebook and other social media is the biggest world secondary to Earth itself, which is rather sad from a third party stand point. It also is just our era I believe, constant growth.
ReplyDeleteWhats funny about facebook is how much I think its "purpose" has changed throughout the years. I remember originally getting one because my brother was moving away and I wanted to stay "connected" with him. At that time I don't think anybody could have imagined that it would become what it has become today and that it would play such a crucial role in defining our relationships with one another. The no interaction in real life thing but all through the web I feel like is already happening. I have had people say some pretty bold things via text or fb, yet when I run into them in person its like their personality has changed. I think its sad too. I help coach a U-10 boys soccer team and am already starting to see the effects of their dependence of technology and social media.
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