New Technology: Social Media - Research Paper Example

?New Technology: Social Media Introduction While the Internet drastically changed the ways people interact with computer technology, recent developments in social networking have correspondingly had a profound impact on social relations. Indeed, of new technological advancements within the Digital Age, it’s difficult to identify a technology that has had a more profound and significant influence on modern society. While slightly abstract in nature, social media is understood to encompass web-based and mobile technologies that are implemented to turn communication into an interactive dialogue. Even while this technology has had s significant unifying effect, individuals have also argued that such technology has been detrimental for the modern world. This essay examines social media from a sociological perspective examining it for its negative and positive effects. Analysis One of the most pervasive ways the social web has impacted the ways people interact is through applications such as Facebook that allow individuals to ‘friend’ each other. Even as many bemoan the loss of true social relations because of the intrusion of the Internet, in these regards it’s clear that the social web has also expanded social interaction. Perhaps the most overarching sociological approach to this aspect of the technology is the interactionist perspective. This perspective contends that human relations must be examined within the prism of the everyday forms of social interaction as they apply to the whole of social organization. Within social media one recognizes that this new technology has greatly re-shaped the very interaction of daily experiences. In many regards, such an impact on society can be understood to have positive connotations. While previously individuals remained in contact with their neighbors, and individuals in their immediate daily lives, social media has expanded this environment, such that individuals now associate daily with people from all eras of their life. It’s noted that this, “technological platform has greatly contributed to the expansion of means of interaction, in both personal and professional contexts, expanding the very nature of social interaction” (Baralt, p. 207). Indeed, such a change can be argued to enrich the daily lives of humanity, as they are now able to view how people change over time, and expand their network of people they can go to for advice or support. As it has been a long-standing tenant of mental well being to have strong social relationships, this technology can be argued to greatly contribute to the betterment of society. Of course, the converse argument is that while social media has allowed individuals to remain in contact with each other over long-distances and extended time periods, it has compromised social relations in other regards. This perspective contends that the infusion of this technology into humanity’s daily lives has created a world where face-to-face communication is now mediated by computers. One considers Plato’s ‘Allegory of the Cave’ wherein prisoners only witness shadows on a wall, rather than truly grasping the reality of existence. Within this context of understanding, it’s noted that while social media has contributed to cooperative environments, it has also, “established an increased atmosphere of anxiety and hindered participation, as individuals struggle to achieve the same forms of mental connection that were part of earlier social connection” (Siegel, p. 1810). Ultimately, it’s clear that such considerations provide a powerful counterpoint to the positive social benefits of this technology. While the interactionist perspective demonstrates both positive and negative sociological aspects of social media on the daily lives of humanity, the conflict perspective reveals further highly notable elements surrounding this technological advancement. Arguing that social relations are best understood as tensions between groups, one recognizes that social media has had a significant impact on the modern world in these regards. Perhaps the most profound example of this occurring was in the recent Egyptian revolution. Many cultural theorists have argued that the events that led to the revolution and organizational elements of the uprising itself were greatly enhanced by contributions from social media. It’s noted that, ““There were two critical masses that led to the resignation of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak on Friday…The second was the fusion of millions of observers, pundits, and supporters around the world into a sort of leaderless digital watchdog, an unwavering force that ensured the international eye would not stray from Egypt” (Mcarthy). Within this understanding, the Egyptian revolution was not only contributed to domestically, but social media also greatly contributed to international interest and involvement. When these developments are considered within the context of the conflict sociological perspective, it’s clear that this technology has functioned to provide increased power to previously disenfranchised social groups. Whereas communication and social organization could previously be co-opted by powerful government regimes, social media has made such co-optation increasingly difficult. While the question of whether such changes constitute a positive or negative benefit depends on one’s perspective, it’s clear social media technology has greatly reshaped social organization within this context. Another prominent way that the social web has impacted contemporary life is the professional sphere. Within this context of investigation, the functionalist sociological perspective is the most appropriate. In these regards, it’s clear that social media has greatly changed the modern business environment. Websites such as Craigslist and eBay that have forum like structures for interaction, allow individuals to search for jobs, and sell items. In addition to expanding employment potential, such elements also expand the array of available hard-to-find merchandise. While such elements have greatly altered Western business relations, social media technology has also greatly changed the way that developing nations functionally interact. Recent developments in technology have allowed farmers in developing regions to gain increased access to market prices or similar essential information. Nokia Life Tools is one such emergence of social media in the developing world. It’s noted that, “Nokia Life Tools brings a new level of control to them. Information is a key element in improving a farmer’s lot, as regular access to market prices means he can better negotiate the sale of his harvest” (“Conversations”). Within this functionalist context of understanding social media has greatly contributed to the ability of disenfranchised individuals to gain access to information that otherwise would have been used against them. In terms of negative elements, such an infusion of technology can be argued to unseat established institutions, as individuals who were previously exploited can no longer be used for further profits. Still, it’s clear this technology has profound and revolutionary implications for the modern and developing world. Conclusion Ultimately, it’s clear that the social web has tremendously influenced contemporary social relations and will only evolve in the future. While it’s difficult to make proclamations about the future of social media, one would surmise that increased levels of segmentation would occur, further allowing individuals with similar personalities and interests to find and interact with each other. In terms of the contemporary sociological ramifications of this technology, this essay has considered it in light of interactionist, functionalist, and conflict perspectives. Within this context of understanding, it’s revealed that while social media expands the daily social interactions, it may limit their ‘reality.’ Still, it is also demonstrated that social media has had positive implications for previously disenfranchised groups, and also functionally contributed to business relations. Ultimately, it’s clear that social media constitutes one of the most significant new technologies. References Baralt, Melissa ."Comparing learners’ state anxiety during task-based interaction in computer-mediated and face-to-face communication." Language Teaching Research 15.2 (2011): 201-229. Mcarthy, Caroline. "Egypt, Twitter, and the Rise of Watchdog Crowd." Cnet. N.p., 2011. Web. 26 Sep 2011. . "Nokia Life Tools ." Conversations. N.p., 2009. Web. 26 Sep 2011. . Jason T. Siegel, et al. "The effect of informal social support: Face-to-face versus computer-mediated communication." Computers in Human Behavior 27.5 (2011): 1806-1814. Read More