Keep your coins, the people want change.

There is no doubt that revolutions have happened before in the history, however, now revolutions are faster and have greater means of spreading of information than ever before, with help from social networks. These innovative tools of social media have in many ways, reinvented social activism. With Facebook and Twitter, it has become exponentially easier for powerless individuals to collaborate, coordinate, and voice their concerns. But we must remember that social networks are the TOOLS for social activism, not the driving force behind them. Without the people, social networking would be nothing. Without someone actively collaborating with users and calling for people to act online, there would be no revolution.

Dan Schulz, writer of 'A DigiActive Introduction to Facebook Activism' (2008) said that “The social basis of activism explains why Facebook, an increasingly popular social networking site, is a natural companion for tech-savvy organizers.  Because of the site’s massive user base and its free tools, Facebook is almost too attractive to pass up.” This can also be applied to Twitter, YouTube, blogs and websites used as a tool for global activism. But we also must recognise that Facebook was not designed to intentionally promote or organise activism.

In regards to this concept, I have come across a website named Change.org which was made for the purpose of online activism. It's slogan is pretty self explanatory: "Change.org is the web's leading platform for social change, empowering anyone, anywhere to start petitions that make a difference." It enables people to form communities around social issues (like global warming, human rights, sustainable food etc), start their own online petition and even promote it to other like-mided users. The website is supported by many of the largest nonprofit organisations in the world – including Amnesty International, Oxfam, and Greenpeace. Even the website's facebook page has thousands of followers - so the site obviously has massive support. I really feel that this is a perfect example of effective online activism, which clearly towers over the idea of a Facebook event page or a Twitter Feed...

 

I think that we really should be discussing the impact of these types of activism websites alongside (or before) the Facebook and Twitter revolution concept. Because really, Twitter is a way of following (or being followed by) people you may never have met. Facebook is a tool for keeping up with & managing your acquaintances. But websites like Change.org are where the real online-activism takes place. Where do you think the roles for social networks lie in regards to activism, in comparison to websites like Change.org? Do social networks have the power to not only spread the word, but to change things? Leave me your thoughts :)

Online Sources

http://www.change.org

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/10/04/101004fa_fact_gladwell#ixzz1b0ezEMt7

http://ksocialmedia.com/?p=316

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/changeorg_social_network.php

Just keep tweeting, Just keep tweeting...

Social networks. The commanding spectrum of our current internet community. Over the past 4 years or so, there has been tough competition between social network corporations, attempting to secure the coveted first place in internet domination...
By examining this image below (thanks to Online Schools for this State of the Internet infographic), you can tell from a glance that for the past 3 years, Facebook has been the dominating SNS, boasting over 600 million followers for 2011. But I am actually more interested in the previous dark horse of social networks (until 2010), Twitter. This year, coming in second in the race for internet domination, Twitter claims 200 million followers. What made it come out of the shadows so quickly?

If I had to make an educated guess, it would be the users contribution which has given Twitter the extra push from fifth to second place. They really have defined it in regards to the array of content available, but even more-so when you consider the hashtag # and @ phenomenon. These were actually invented by the Twitter user base, which as Steven Johnson notes in this week's reading, has become a central part of the Twitter experience. It makes it easy for any user to follow a live feed about events/debates and of course directly reply to other users. This can essentially be known as "end-user innovation," whereas consumers actively modify a product in order to adapt it to their needs.

My question is, when we combine the follower structure network, link-sharing & real-time searching, have we concocted an almost-perfect social network? (In 140 characters or less ofcourse). By furthering Twitter's data scope larger than the "I had toast for breakfast" tweets, it has become more relevant to users everywhere (even i'm getting sucked in). TODAY, we can form relationships, get information on friends, family, celebrities, current news and events, advertise, share images & links...But there are plenty of reports & discussions noting that TOMORROW will be so much more. You could apply for jobs via twitter, possibly be arrested for what you post, use twitter for text-to-speak applications and even become a citizen journalist via tweets.

 I can't help but contemplate where does the future for Twitter and Social Networks lies for tomorrow, and will it follow up on these promises? I guess we can only keep tweeting and see what happens! Leave your thoughts with me below :)


Online sourced links
http://www.onlineschools.org/state-of-the-internet/soti.html
http://www.news.com.au/technology/youre-hired-editor-picks-best-twitter-cv/story-e6frfrnr-1226138038420
http://www.news.com.au/technology/pair-faces-30-years-in-jail-for-allegedly-posting-false-kidnapping-reports-on-twitter/story-e6frfro0-1226130663850#ixzz1XvCYKJ93
http://www.forbes.com/sites/christinecrandell/2011/09/11/an-angel-brings-voice-to-twitter-2/
http://gigaom.com/2011/09/15/freedom-of-the-press-applies-to-everyone-yes-even-bloggers/