The readings for this weeks lesson described more about civic engagement and how people are becoming more and more involved in the technology standpoint. Interacting via internet gives us opportunities to become involvved with society as a whole and not just what goes on in our own communities. I really hate to bring up the topic about the bombing that happened in Boston, but think about how fast and viral the news went out to the public as soon as it happened. Becoming social on the internet helps us out a lot whether people realize the convenience of it or not. There are a lot of issues we face as well in internet communication such as cyber bullying and images or converstaions we would not want our children to see or participate in. As new technology always arises pretty much every year, we can see that there is going to be exponential growth in internet communication. All the things that we use on a daily basis such as cell phones, computers, and tablets are just the beginning. I really do believe there will be something new and amazing that hits us and social networking will probably be the only way people will communicate. Civic engagement helps us to understand and participate in group chats and learning about things we may have never known about. There will be a lot of opportunities that will come about for new and upcoming ways to socialize.
8 thoughts on “Blog 13”
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Do you think that the use of technology, like SNSs, text messaging, etc., make people more likely to want to help out in times of tragedies, like the marathon bombing, or the big fertilizer plant explosion that happened last night in Texas? Does the viewing of these images in real time make people want to be more engaged in helping out, or donating money, or blood?
I think people are more motivated to lend a hand in different ways. One reason is because it is so easy to donate online, one of the simplest ways to feel like you have an impact. Also, you can create a kind of social pressure to create awareness.
There is almost a kind of commitment for everyone to show their consideration by spreading the word, information, and contributing physically or thoughtfully. It is so easy to do it, that you can appear callous if you don’t. I think this absolutely helps raise awareness. The sheer amount of attention and public support this event has received is astounding (Boston). There was an excess of footage and information, speculation, and buzz. Most importantly there was no one specifically to blame – so people of all sides could come together. Much like in a natural disaster, the enemy was faceless. The stigma of the gun debate, or immediate associations about nationality were not attached to this event. Anyway, our technology definitely encourages people to participate in a larger conversation and that presence opens the possibility for aid.
I think the technology is extremely useful, because it helps people know exactly how to donate money or time, and where to send it, to whom, etc. You can go to a specifc page and very quickly do something that you know will help.
I think that you bring up an interesting point Susan, when you say that a person appears callous if they don’t spread support. I wonder what would happen to the world if people had to do more than simply tweet, “My thoughts are with Boston.” Have we actually created a world where people care more? Or have we simply made it easier for them to appear as if they do?
Yes technology is very useful when stuff likes this happens. People will know how to respond and act upon the conspiracies that happened. I am definitely praying for the families and victims in Boston because this was a senseless tragedy.
I do think it helps out in those type of situations so viewers will not be misinformed and can know what is going. The images helps them to have a visual of what exactly went on and it encourages them to maybe help out or donate money to those type of causes. I received updates and news feeds from anything that happens in the world so I was definitely up to date about the whole situation.
I also think people are more willing to help in time of tragedies with easy access organizations via sns and cmc. However I aslo think the same technology can also make people insensitive with numerous and repetitive information.
I do believe receiving news updates and constant text messages about tragedies makes people realize that help is needed. Technology helps us push forward to helping out the cause whether it is money or geberal thoughts and concerns.
I do believe that people are ready to help at a time of a tragedy and SMS helps facilitate and expand the help. I moved a couple days ago and had no internet or cable, I had no idea about the bombings in Boston, but my brother happened to be on Facebook and everybody was talking about it and posting videos, he texted me and told me about it. I later saw it on Facebook on my phone. So even though I did not see it on TV I found other resources such as texting or the internet on my phone to stay informed of what is happening in the world.