Whither the Individual?

Whither the Individual?
As we join groups and social networks from affinity sites to Facebook, are we extending and expanding identities, or increasingly conforming to the cookie-cutter profiles demanded of these interfaces? Is the loss of "personal space" and "reflection" so many users complain of merely the necessary surrender of "ego" as we learn to participate as members of a more evolved "collective organism" of "hyper-people?"


I feel as if social networking sites, such as Facebook, do not necessarily compromise the individual's identity, but does create a compliant cult of sort. Facebook profiles encourage users to list a plethora of personal information, such as likes, hobbies, and even "philosophy". From here a unique sense of a user is created, with a variety of information that can be similar or dissimilar to other users. However, it is in this sense that people are conforming, and in a way abiding to the rules of the cult. The individual keys in this information, "likes" certain pages, perhaps after seeing their friends do the same or having discovered it on Facebook. From here they create their online persona, a world of "hyper-people" if you will.
Though it might sound as if I'm criticizing this turn of technology, I too fall guilty to this reality. The online world's affect on daily reality is alarmingly increasing. For example, the other night I went out and met a boy that caught my interest. The next morning I logged on to Facebook and was greeted by a friend request from him, much to my pleasure. Accepting his request I quickly gained access to a vast bank of information about him, more than I would have known by the fifth or sixth date. By subscribing to this collective organism of an online world, I viewed his profile similar to that of flipping through a filing folder full of personal information. In minutes I learned his favorite bands, past times, hometowns, educational background, even family lineage. Just as quickly as I learned all of this, I could click over to another profile and learn an equal amount about this other individual. Without even realizing it, we as users of social networking sites have diminished ourselves into nothing more than a filing folder. We are a unit among millions of other, 500 million to be exact that use Facebook.
However, to continue, I then sent him a link of a YouTube video regarding something we had discussed, which he then liked, sending me in a fit of joy. Now, I laugh in reflection to think that a click of a mouse was enough to induce a fit of "butterflies" in my stomach. Value and self worth are now derivatives of how many people have commented on your profile picture, or what boy you met out "poked" you in reflection of his interest the night after you met. And debatably those who argue their sense of self or personal reflection has not been compromised by social networking sites are certainly just enjoying their riverfront property on "de-nile". People blog for reactions, post pictures for comments, and write on walls for responses.
You might feel as if you are making a personal statement by adding "bikram yoga" to your list of likes on your Facebook profile, but click on the link and you will be surprised to see 400,000+ other individuals that also have that listed. Although it is argued that there is no such thing as an original thought, social networking sites have provided the forum to mass-share thoughts and ideas, collecting and cultivating them further with other users.
Furthermore, this influx of merging users together, particularly on Facebook, is becoming ever more prevalent. Games, such as Farmville, encourage trading and interactions between users, so much so that they take precedence over reality. I have known people to trade tangible items in real life for corn and other crops on this hyperworld we live in. The world of Facebook is beginning to consume our lives and take control over the real world, if we even know what that is anymore.

Web 2.0 and the Digital Nation

Today many TV shows and advertisements try to look amateurish or "homegrown" to emulate what is often seen on the Web. Do you think professional production values will continue to drop, or do you think amateur user-generated content will get better over time? WHY??

Although unarguably there are more advertisements that are formatted to seem “homegrown”, I do not think it is a representation of a plummet or plateauing of technology. In fact, I think it is comparable to vintage inspired photographs and designs. Sepia toned images, filmed to look antique in a way are rather popular, not because technology can not expand past that, but because of its artistic style. I think this approach with TV shows and advertisements adds a personal element, a new technique of sorts. For example, “Paranormal Activity”, is filmed from a hand held video camera, giving viewers the perception of reality, as if they are getting an inside glimpse of a real home video footage. Just the way black and white adds a certain “classic” element, whether it be video or photographs, I believe that this increasingly popular “homegrown” approach adds a more casual and realistic aspect. 



What social media sites do you find yourself using the most, and why? In your opinion why is Facebook so much more successful than MySpace, and do you think Facebook is "here to stay" for the long term.


As a true computer nerd, I have toyed with a plethora of social media sites. Long were the days of Myspace and AIM, now replaced with Facebook and Twitter. With so many sites readily available and constantly changing, it is truly difficult for any one site to be guaranteed longevity. However, in my personal opinion, Facebook seems the most promising. The phenomenon we have all grown obsessed with has more than 500 million active users; with 50% of these users logging on each day. Facebook is constantly changing with the times, offering its users personalized ads, mind numbing games, and a way to keep in touch without being together - all for free. Long were the days of growing apart - now with Facebook, people are closer than ever. Just last month my cousin’s wife was in labor, and I received constant updates via Facebook statuses each step of the way. My brother and I, 600 miles away, knew when the baby was born before my uncle who was sitting just a few feet away in the waiting room. It seems as if Facebook knows no boundaries - geographically, economically, and socially; but I suppose only time will tell.


Why is transparency such an important concept in the Social Media world? Is it MORE or LESS important in the offline world? Why?

With a rapidly increasingly popularity in the Social Media world, it only seems appropriate that transparency be such a pressing issue. I think that transparency is more important in the “online” world. Because these technologies, such as Twitter and blogs, are so new, also new are their repercussions. No one fully understand the magnitude of damage that could ensue through transparency in the Social Media world. Arguably, experts are now biased towards certain viewpoints because of the capital they are receiving to promote a particular viewpoint, as opposed to pursuing the best current solution. Transparency in the social world is permanently documented via the web, which can not be erased and not be argued. For example, sharing an
opinion in the “offline” world can be shared through basic word of mouth, with no trace. However, with social media everything someone says, thinks and then blogs is permanent record, holding more consequences.

McLuhan Photoshop Final Post - EXTRA

For my second McLuhan Photoshop post, I chose to expand upon the video calling site "Skype". My image illustrates a couple dating long distance, but thanks to Skype it seems as if they are together. I chose to include Skype's motto, "Making it easy to be together, even when you're not", which describes its goals as a communication tool perfectly.

McLuhan Photoshop Final Post

The medium I chose to expand upon was online support groups. With this new technology becoming more prevalent it opens up new opportunities for those suffering with a variety of problems. These people are now more likely to seek and pursue help, when it is readily available from the comfort of their own home. In my assignment, I created the scenario of a woman suffering with depression. Without even leaving her home she is able to discuss and get support from an online support group, and find a remedy to her ailment.