Where is this world heading? With the world population burgeoning over 7 billion people, the use of social media is connecting people at an unprecedented level. In political science, one of the great concerns of today is how globalization will affect the structure of government and how politics will change because of it. The Arab Spring is a prime example of how social media is affecting the political world and how it can be used as a medium to change the international dialogue that exists. Young, educated members of society are able to harness the power of the masses through the use of Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks and organize nationwide revolutions.
A recent example of the use of social media to enact change has come from the organization Invisible Children and its movement to stop the leader of the LRA, Joseph Kony. Through their campaign efforts using documentaries posted to YouTube and their extended effort to gain people to their cause by using Facebook and other social networks, they have garnered a huge amount of media coverage. The influence of their Kony 2012 campaign can be read about in today's New York Times Article, "In Vast Jungle, U.S. Is Helping Track a Killer." Political movements are moving from the streets to the Web. This world is going to be changing because of social media, and I hope we are ready for the flood.
The great metaphysical poet John Donne wrote, "No man is an island, entire of itself." We are all becoming connected. We are a part of a global society that is no longer separated by seas or borders. Because of this, everyone has an opportunity to lift their voice and let it be heard. The new media will give rise to the Ghandis, Donnes, Washingtons, and Moons of today. We should not fear for the future. All that is left to us is to embrace new technologies and harness them for good.
I'm optimistic about the future.
A recent example of the use of social media to enact change has come from the organization Invisible Children and its movement to stop the leader of the LRA, Joseph Kony. Through their campaign efforts using documentaries posted to YouTube and their extended effort to gain people to their cause by using Facebook and other social networks, they have garnered a huge amount of media coverage. The influence of their Kony 2012 campaign can be read about in today's New York Times Article, "In Vast Jungle, U.S. Is Helping Track a Killer." Political movements are moving from the streets to the Web. This world is going to be changing because of social media, and I hope we are ready for the flood.
The great metaphysical poet John Donne wrote, "No man is an island, entire of itself." We are all becoming connected. We are a part of a global society that is no longer separated by seas or borders. Because of this, everyone has an opportunity to lift their voice and let it be heard. The new media will give rise to the Ghandis, Donnes, Washingtons, and Moons of today. We should not fear for the future. All that is left to us is to embrace new technologies and harness them for good.
I'm optimistic about the future.
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