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TED talk: Online Social Change: Easy to Organize, Hard to Win

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TED talk: Online Social Change: Easy to Organize, Hard to Win

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1. quick to organize, results appear using hashtags, may get very political and intense, may transfer to protests in real-time

2. "easy to organize, hard to win"

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TED talk: Online Social Change: Easy to Organize, Hard to Win

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The Commons is an online library for the change makers of the world and for those interested in social change, activism, organising, advocacy and justice.

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1. easy and quick to share or send messages however it may result in complicated views and actions

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How has social media emerged as a powerful communication medium?

Social media is a powerful communications medium, with widespread influence over cities as well as remote areas. However, it is only part of the digital revolution that we are witnessing. Digital transformation has not only influenced businesses and made the world more accessible, but it has also changed the way we communicate.

According to Oberlo, as of 2019, there are 3.2 billion social media users all around the world, which is about 42% of the Earth's population. In addition, there are roughly 4.5 billion internet uses across the world today. These statistics are proof of the growing dominance of digital media in our daily lives.

This blog will describe the factors that have led to the rise of social media as a powerful communications medium. You will also gain an understanding of how social media has changed the dynamics of communication.

How has social media emerged as a powerful communications medium?

Social media has taken over the business sphere, the advertising sphere and additionally, the education sector. It has had a long-lasting impact on the way people communicate and has now become an integral part of their lives. For instance, WhatsApp has redefined the culture of IMs (instant messaging) and taken it to a whole new level. Today, you can text anyone across the globe as long as you have an internet connection. This transformation has not only been brought about by WhatsApp but also Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. The importance of social media in communication is a constant topic of discussion.

Online communication has brought information to people and audiences that previously could not be reached. It has increased awareness among people about what is happening in other parts of the world. A perfect example of the social media's reach can be seen in the way the story about the Amazon Rainforest fire spread. It started with a single post and was soon present on everyone's newsfeed across different social media platforms.

Movements, advertisements and products are all being broadcasted on social media platforms, thanks to the increase in the social media users. Today, businesses rely on social media to create brand awareness as well as to promote and sell their products. It allows organizations to reach customers, irrespective of geographical boundaries. The internet has facilitated a resource to humankind that has unfathomable reach and benefits.

How has social media influenced the way we communicate?

Essential business strategy: Everything is just a click away and includes everything from news to buying your groceries. The ease of access that social media provides has taken over the traditional methods of shopping, reading news and even studying. Education too has incorporated forums and social media chat rooms to increase interactivity among students, conduct webinars and promote events and courses. Social media is a crucial section of digital marketing, helping businesses go beyond demographic and geographic boundaries.

Online payments: While there was a time when online payments just meant online banking services, the dynamics have changed today. Social networking platforms like WhatsApp are incorporating options (WhatsApp Payments) within the application that allows you to transfer money to other people with minimal effort. The only challenge that these new payment systems presents is the maintenance of security standards. While this is a convenient way to digitally send money, the security standards must be regulated to ensure customers are stepping into a safe zone.

Online healthcare: Social media has changed the way healthcare services are carried out. Rather than physically visiting a doctor for your ailments, you can now speak to a virtual doctor who will suggest medications based on your symptoms. Some doctors even consult with patients over Skype calls to better understand their ailments. While this poses a great advantage for patients who do not want to pay a visit to the clinic, it also comes with its share of risks. The chances of non-qualified individuals posing as doctors are high. Moreover, it is difficult to confirm a doctor's credibility by the look of their profile online. However, if used appropriately, this can be a beneficial resource for people worldwide.

Increased civic awareness: Social media has changed how we are governed by making the process more transparent. Many leaders across the world have taken to social media to voice their opinions and priority issues, giving people a better understanding of the government they have elected. It has also limited the influence of political stakeholders over what information should reach people. Before social media's entry into the digital era, traditional media and the government were the only sources of information. However, this has now changed for the better. The downside of this is that some organizations are also misusing the power of social media to negatively influence people.

Disaster management: Global warming has affected our planet to the extent that natural calamities make headlines every other day. In the face of this, social media has become a saviour, enabling relief funds, information and support can be sent and accessed more easily. For example, the safety check feature on Facebook allows you to mark yourself safe in disaster zones, helping your friends and family know that you are safe, in case there is no other medium of communication available.

Social justice: Social media has brought people face-to-face with humanitarian issues. Many social work organizations such as animal welfare and fundraising organizations are also taking to social media to create awareness about the issues of society. It brings together activists, allows people to raise their voice against injustice (for example, the #metoo movement) and helps people come together for social causes.

Social media's influence has given rise to a different genre of communication, where conversations are quick and information is easily relayed. Due to its widespread impact, employers are seeking professionals who are well-versed in social media platforms to take on important roles within an organization. In fact, social media as a business function is growing rapidly and presents a number of employment opportunities. If you want to become a part of the revolutionary change that is social media, you can opt for the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Communication degree offered by University Canada West (UCW). To read other insightful articles, stay tuned with our blog.

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how has social media emerged as a powerful communication medium?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How has social media emerged as a powerful communication medium?

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Social media is a powerful communications medium, with widespread influence over cities as well as remote areas. However, it is only part of the digital revolution that we are witnessing. Digital transformation has not only influenced businesses and made the world more accessible, but it has also changed the way we communicate.

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Discussing the Future of Social Media-Driven Protests With Zeynep Tufekci

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Discussing the Future of Social Media-Driven Protests With Zeynep Tufekci

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analyzed the Black Lives Matter movement to explain how social media allowed this movement to spread fast and call for urgency of change however it also was connected to a lot of misinformation

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Discussing the Future of Social Media-Driven Protests With Zeynep Tufekci

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‘Of course it’s performative, but you know what? It’s a better world if brands feel they have to be performative’

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1. spreads information quickly, sharing experiences and opinions, communication access

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SOCIAL TECHNOLOGY AND HOW IT CONTRIBUTES TO ACHIEVING THE SDGs

Technological innovation involves huge savings of both time and money with respect to achieving the SDGs. In greater detail, and in accordance with the United Nations Global Compact, the social impact made by technology can be summed up in seven key points:

Promoting access to information

The information transparency and quality that the Internet has made generally available to areas such as the environment, employment, health, education and social services, among others, can contribute to meeting social and ecological objectives (SDG 1 and 16).

Facilitating the analysis and gathering of data

Digital technology enables innovation in the gathering, measurement and monitoring of data by facilitating, for example, the taking of strategic decisions in agriculture for combating hunger (SDG 2).

Favouring the creation of new business models

Internet and the new technologies have spawned new business ideas that are boosting the economy and helping sustainable development. This is the case, for example, of the car sharing scheme that helps achieve SDG 8 and 11.

Raising more online funds

Collective financing (crowdsourcing) and responsible investment platforms can provide new sources of funding for sustainable businesses and innovative initiatives that have a positive influence of SDGs such as 7 and 9.

Developing new reality models

Virtual Reality and augmented reality can improve education and professional training (SDG 4 and 8) and raise the awareness of certain groups and collectives with respect to injustices, gender inequality (SDG 5) and climate change (SDG 13).

Supplying and providing adapted products and services

Social technology can reduce inequalities (SDG 10) by designing products and services adjusted to meet the needs of society's most vulnerable individuals, groups and collectives.

Modernisation of processes

Robotics, for example, enables the construction of robots for repairing complex machinery or performing surgical operations. Furthermore, 4D printers prevent material waste and Artificial Intelligence automates recycling. All these factors help towards achieving SDG 9.

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O impacto social e ambiental da tecnologia

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A tecnologia revolucionou nossa forma de consumir, de nos relacionar e informar. No entanto, também é útil para resolver problemas sociais e ambientais. A conhecida como tecnologia social está ajudando-nos a conseguir os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) da Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU).

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Zeynep Tufekci: How the Internet has made social change easy to organize, hard to win

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Zeynep Tufekci: How the Internet has made social change easy to organize, hard to win

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1. organizing and amplifying voices, but can also cause misinformation and chaos

2. People claim that the media helps organize protests however in this specific case.  Twitter censored the Turkey Gezi Park protest in 2013 and a man took a picture and posted it anyway before it got taken down. This made people see the weaknesses of Twitter by feeling like they were hiding something important for the world to know and engage on

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Zeynep Tufekci: How the Internet has made social change easy to organize, hard to win

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1. difficult to correct due to how fast misinformation spreads, may impact activism