McLuhan would say that facebook is a cool medium, simply because it provides a stimulating device through which we can interact. It delves into the subconscious and makes users think about exactly what they are posting and reading on the site. The chat feature of facebook provides live interaction as opposed to the static interaction of wall posts and comments. That's what's so great about facebook; it is alive. It is a living, breathing creature that mesmerizes anyone who uses it. Social media has had a significant impact on the way that I identify with my culture and stay in touch with my relatives, and I am grateful for it.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Media Artifact: Facebook
Although it seems cliche that I chose facebook as my artifact, it has had a significant cultural impact on my life. The social media site that connects more than a half a billion people worldwide is truly a media juggernaut. There are several reasons why facebook is important in my life. For one, it has allowed me to keep in touch with my family in the Caribbean. Since my family is so far away, it is easy to loose touch with them. Social networking sites are the catalyst for conversation among people across the globe. They also provide you with information about people that is sometimes forgotten or looked over. There have been countless times where the only way I will remember my cousins' birthdays are if I see it on facebook. I can even figure out what to get someone for their birthday from their interests on their facebook profile. Although some might argue that social networking is a less personal approach to interacting with one another, I disagree. It has brought us together in ways that we could have never imagined and has created a global community.
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Wow, I am truly impressed with this post. I you took Facebook, something i feel we all take for granted and made I seem like something much more. I also liked the way you wrapped it up in the last paragraph and connected it back to our readings, especially that of Mcluhan.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Since I set up my facebook account, I am starting to know my cousins and my other relatives better. Most of my relatives doesn't live at Hong Kong (home), they are spread out all around the world. I barely have a chance to meet them. But with facebook, I am able to communicate with my cousins in Australia and Singapore.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you have connected McLuhan's with facebook. Since i have changed schools 8 times and moved to a new places about every 2 years, keeping track of my friends becomes hard. I only use it to remember their birthdays and say hello once it a while. However, I had once reached a stage in high school where facebook was everything. I used to blame my friends to for being in contact because they did not have a facebook account.
ReplyDeleteWhat is even surprising is that i have started to talking to relatives that i didn't know i even had. Facebook has definitely connected me to my family and culture.
First I got to just point out that you got a really nice background. Secondly, facebook is definitely a very "new" media artifact; but in many ways we have been depending on it for such a long period of time that it could be counted as ancient. I really enjoyed the way that you drew the connection of Facebook with McLuhan and his idea about cold media. Lastly, I just have to point out in agreement that Facebook does create a global culture for us. Coming from an international family with international backgrounds, I also understand how difficult it is to keep in contact with my relatives and family. Thanks to facebook, we got that taken care of.
ReplyDeleteFacebook is a cool medium? Somehow I feel like it's in your face, intrusive, and you simply cannot run away from it? After Facebook, you simply cannot lose people anymore. Forgetting becomes an impossible task, but forgetting is also an important part of social life, right?
ReplyDeleteI like your point about how Facebook connects us and our friends--apparently everyone else commented on your blog can identify very well--but isn't it more interesting to look at the aspect of FAcebook which not everyone is seeing? E.g. how does facebook classify, select, and exclude? How does facebook change our relationships with our enemies, acquanintances, and people we don't care for?
It's always more interesting to treat the path that's less beaten. But you did was a good job.
b.