Blogging and Freedom of Expression in relation to the
development and encouragement of both social and individual Advocacies, as well as community building.
With the rise of the instant information age, there have
been numerous debates on whether this is more of a pro or a con. While the
freedom of the internet has give rise to negativity like that of being
insensitive or racist
It also comes with the freedom to go against it.
Blogging and microblogging, (which is defined by google as
"the posting of very
short entries or updates on a blog or social networking site, typically via a
cellular phone") in today’s society has also become an avenue to develop,
instill and encourage advocacies going against racism, sexism and, to an
extent, any form of bullying or anything negative. Blogs and social networks
become avenues for people not only to discover and deepen their knowledge on
their own advocacies, but it also becomes an avenue for people to develop and put
in to practice the things they learn. In building on their advocacies, the
users and “posters/authors” of these posts become part of a community, giving
these advocacies a louder and a stronger voice.
In a Tedx talk talking about using
social media to stand up for women’s rights on the internet, Steph Guthrie
talks about using and tapping into the advantage of the interconnectivity found
in the internet’s online community. She Talks about her experience in drawing
users online to a common cause, and how effective social connectivity works
on-line. When Bendilin Spurr posted a game online asking users to beat up the
controversial Anita Sarkeesian, Steph Guthrie decided to take action. Not long
after finding the twitter account of the author of the said game, Steph Guthrie
challenged and criticized his action, asking if this was something he’d do in
real life.
“…the conversation caught fire and
within an hour hundreds of users were participating in some capacity”. The
incident became so big that, not soon after it begun, it started to spread
outside of twitter. Blogs and and microbloggers were asking and posting and
giving their opinions and stands on the case, “more than thousands were brought
into the discussion”.
This
is a demonstration of the power of the online-user community and how its
connectivity sparks conversation and debate, and, in turn, strengthens (or
weakens) personal stands or advocacies.
Interconnectivity gives ideas backbone
and support that would not have been possible in real life. It works through the
support of websites ideas, posts, videos in user-based platforms like youtube,
blogger, tumblr, twitter and other blogging/microblogging means makes use of
the idea of creating an instant community where support and encouragement on advocacies,
stands, ideas, hopes and the like are reinforced. Direct involvement in serious
debates and discussions, though encouraged, isn’t even a requirement. Based on
our discussion of “digital identity” where we have practically complete control
over what we deem as “ourselves” and therefore what we deem as “appropriate/inappropriate”,
it’s as simple as liking, reposting, viewing- any sort of interaction with the
community or any of the information presented online. Everything contributes in
some way, connecting other users to the information that is viewed as important.
Blogging and microblogging also makes it
easier not only to spread the information for those who want to learn more or
be involved in taking action, but for those who might be affected. Other than
the bigger advocacies of gender equality or racism, positive reinforcement and
often overlooked sub-advocacies like general encouragement which leads to the
bigger advocacy of “pro-life”. The security and comfort found in the anonymity
or “social distance” (as used by Steph Guthrie) not only allows advocacy
supporters voice out their stands, but it also lets those affected, those who
need to be approached and may need the help, share and talk about their
experiences. Situations like these become opportunities for users to help, connect
and interact. And this is, again, is where the internet helps advocacies.
Interconnectivity, as mentioned earlier, helps with the possibility of larger
user communities to act and interact and help in various ways. Blogging and microblogging
lets users interact directly or indirectly. Indirect interaction means more of
the presentation of “generalized” help, encouragement and the like.
Direct
interaction comes in the form of chat and user-replies which, again, becomes
easier with the help of anonymity. Interaction like this not only encourages
participation from advocacy supporters but it also brings more and more people
in- if not through actual conversion of supporters, it draws attention to the
information which, in turn, will or should eventually draw-in a user willing
and waiting to participate.
links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KHEkR5yb9A
http://www.policymic.com/articles/79455/7-moments-that-made-frozen-the-most-progressive-disney-movie-ever
http://usfacingrace.wordpress.com/2011/04/29/avatar-the-last-airbender/
http://thestatusbro.tumblr.com/post/75422653055/inner-strength-lion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KHEkR5yb9A
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