Social media sites have created many different types of public spheres. Some communities focus on language, such as a blog, where other communities use expression through pictures, such as Instagram. Members in these spheres can be vocal through multiple posts a day or silent participants who just read or view other members thoughts.
One of the reasons I love working on a college campus is because you get to belong to a large community that interacts in person. I’ve never loved sitting behind a computer and prefer interactions to be in person. I’d much rather take part in a public sphere in a coffee shop or community gathering than online. I do, however, appreciate the connection online spheres provides and understand they can reach a larger population. Social media does have the potential to connect people across different institutions, states,or countries. Ideas and knowledge can be spread faster and hopefully effectively. I do prefer to watch videos rather than just read a post. This way you are able to at least hear and see the emotion behind the words.
Recently, I have enjoyed being on social media sites, such as Facebook, significantly less than in the past. Social media sites are being used as an outlet for people to vent about the past election and ongoing political drama. People are fighting with “friends” and I see more negative than positive with members of all political parties. I think sharing different viewpoints is important and necessary but the way it has happening on Facebook and other sites seems destructive instead of constructive. I hope eventually I can view social media to be tools that are beneficial when discussing important topics but for now I feel they are a public spheres that is damaging open lines of communication.
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