Friday, August 12, 2011
Social Media – Social Tool or Anarchists Weapon
This is a little off topic but still relevant. It appals me to see how quickly an ordered society can descend into Chaos? How can people that may have been neighbours and friends one day and then turn into mindless criminals the next? It is very disturbing to me the what I think may be considered normal society may in fact be an abnormal condition placed on society to maintain control.
If one considers social media in that context, is it a tool for good or evil? At what point does a tool like Twitter become dangerous to society at large? In the the modern age social media has the ability to make or break corporations, increase awareness of issues, and even topple governments. In reality Social Media has the ability to create and manipulate society. If we look at recent events like the G20 Summit riots in Toronto or more currently the Riots in London, we see the power that social media has to fuel a societies impulse.. Never before in history has so much unchecked power been given to the people. Could you imagine what some historical figures could have done had social media been in place. Imagine if Martin Luther King could reach millions the world over. Could you imagine a tweet that started “I have dream … “. Could you imagine Nazi Germany with a propaganda machine centered around a group like Facebook.
Social Media is a tool and a weapon. In the hands of criminals, activists and politicians alike, sites like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube are a godsend. The problem with unchecked power at any level, is that when we cross a line we don't realize it until its to late. Society being what it is, it is unable to be proactive and police itself. So unfortunately that puts law makers the world over in a position of playing catch up.
Now I'm sure you will get those groups out there that will say all of this violence is caused by social inequality and poverty and that putting a muzzle on Social Media sites is an assault on free speech.However, when you consider the deaths of innocent bystanders and the senseless destruction of property, it is clearly a power that has out grown its intended purpose!
