As I am sitting down in the subway, I spent the next hour of my commute, not only, surfing the web for deals on textbooks but also using different apps for music and entertainment. The first thing I did was go on Facebook, I checked my messages, looked over my notifications and I noticed there was a notification from a friend. I was tagged in various pictures and videos but only one of the videos caught my eye. It was the advertising video of an Ice Cream Shop, which in reality sells cookie dough on an Ice Cream cone. Pretty cool, right? I thought it was a very innovative and delicious idea. Then, I quickly replied to my friend by asking if she wanted to check out the place. I continued to scroll down through my news feed and came across a news article about a CUNY student whom was able to come back to the United States, following the decision of the Department of Homeland Security to suspend the travel ban. After reading the news article, I was suggested by Facebook to read other articles, which I decided not to read. Some of the titles seemed to refer to the Women’s March, others about political issues that are currently happening. I looked over to my right and noticed the person next to me was communicating with someone through text, that reminded me to ask my friends in the groupchat if they have a PDF file of a specific accounting textbook that I need. One of the members of the groupchat quickly replied to me, saying that she has the scanned copy of my accounting book printed out and that she can provide me with it some time during this week.
I suddenly realized how quickly an hour had passed, then I started to wonder what my train ride would have been like without a phone, or let say without Facebook or access to the internet. I , first, conluded that I probably would have had a harder time getting acces to the accounting textbook, either by having to go the school or local libray and finding a physical copy of the book. Second, I concluded that my friend would’ve probably waited until seeing me to tell me about the Ice Cream Shop. But then I thought, what other way could she had possibly find out about the innovative and delicious Ice Cream Shop without the help of Facebook ? This made me realize how reliable and effective Social Network Sites can be for marketing strategies or simply to deliver a message. It is evident that not only businesses, but other news outlets are using platforms such as facebook and twitter to deliver their message. Facebook is, in fact, aware of such activities by media outlets, it provided guidance to them. This article is evident of this awarenses, it was posted within the Facebook network for media outlets as guidance on more effecient ways they can use Facebook.
I believe this is all evident to the digital revolution Couldry refers to, and also Athique’s argument that we live in a digital society. Although, this was only an hour of my day, the rest of my day isn’t much different from this specific hour. We, as a society, are constantly living in the digital world. Either by spending time looking for the best deals on textbooks through Google, or liking posts and pictures of our friends new vacation spots or our next ice cream eating adventure. We are constantly being surrounded by new information because of social media platforms and the internet. As Couldry states on page 10, “The internet has brought a shift in information production from a limited number of discrete forms ( books, pamphlets, letters, reports, lists) to information units of any form and size (websites).. The results are an exponential growth in data volume.. ” This video supports this idea on how quickly the digital revolution has evolved and how quickly it has reached more and more people.
The ability to find everything you are searching for, from the next fun adventure with a friend to being able to obtain a physical copy of a text book, in ONLY one social platform is one of the major benefits of the digital revolution. However, there could be some negative consequences of the use of such social media platforms. Facebook, to use the same example, has been in many controversial arguments over privacy, and their selling off of users data and also credibility checks when it comes to fake news articles. Nonethelss, I personally believe the good overorks the bad. A survey conducted by MUO also supports this idea.
We, as a society, use media as consumers and producers, and interestingly enough most of our most used social platforms ( such as YouTube, Facebook and Instagram) provide few to zero content, allowing us to produce content, and also exposing us to information from other users in the same platform. What do you think will happen if us, as consumers and producers, stop using social media platforms? What will be the next revolution in media after the digital revolution?
Hi G.jorge,
I like that you actually did this on the train and was able to browse the internet and get things done. I remember the days before the MTA allowed Wi-Fi on the trains and underground and I honestly kind of miss these days where the train(s) were one of the few places where people would have an actual conversation or read a book. Not anymore, now you can see and hear noise everywhere and everybody is looking down. But then again, with everything that is happening I think it’s actually a good idea to stay inform and alert in case of emergencies and of course to do some assignments.
Greats post.
I enjoyed reading your post. I have to agree with a lot things you have said. For example, I also notice that with social media time flies so fast! I am not sure how I feel about it…I came from Russia about 5 years ago and I remember my childhood without computers, phones, laptops and other technological devises. I remember talking to people, seeing their faces and enjoying the “real” conversations.
Answering your question, I think that stopping using social media will bring us back to where we came from…which maybe not a bad idea at all.
Also I suggest you to watch one very strange, but fascinating English show called Black Mirror. I am sure you will love it.
Hey m.mironova, thank you for your comment. Interengstingly enough one of my coworkers also recommended me the show Black Mirror. I will definitely will take a look.
Pointing out that you couldn’t pinpoint what else you might be doing on the train epitomized this reliance and comfort to always have a phone, tablet, or laptop to use, even when we are underground. It has become as ordinary a part of our day as brushing our teeth or eating breakfast, and I saw that reflected here. You acknowledge how normal and essential it is; it’s not even something we consciously notice ourselves doing anymore.
To answer your questions, I think consumers and producers would face an identity crisis if social media were to disappear tomorrow. It has grown into its own huge entity, a connector between brands and people that has completely changed traditional advertising and made it easier for brands to be discovered, gain traffic, and get a feel for how the consumer responds to the product. I think the next “revolution” will be a continuation of this digital revolution, with an enhanced focus on interpersonal connections and the use of apps and sites to meet and connect with people.
Great video! To me, this just demonstrates how exciting AND SCARY the development of technology can be. We are becoming so advanced and our lives are changing for the better, but at the same time we are moving so fast, maybe too fast? Maybe too much?
Also, I too like that you did this assignment on the train. You stare at strangers for an hour, wonder about their lives, and even see how they use technology. People listen to music, text, read, and play games on digital devices while riding the train, which can give you a good sense of what we are all doing within an hour, when we have nothing to do but use whatever we have on us.