Introduction

I’ve minced no words in my pessimistic view toward the “power” of social media. To outright repeat myself – I believe the reach and influence of social media, at least in the modern sense is overstated. Social media is by and large a new term, but NOT a new phenomenon. I would argue in fact, that it is not social diversification that has taken place within the last decade, but homogenization – that is to say, the social sphere has compressed itself into a series of internet based applications.

The potential of our public social sphere’s continuous migration into the virtual world is enormous, to the point it defies definition. Unfortunately, potential is NOT power. Until certain issues are resolved, there remains a tenuous balance between the advantages and detriments of social media to social capital. Certainly we cannot hope to tackle even a portion within one discussion, but we can at least the opening gambit.

Discussion

Normally my format of choice is to ask and answer my own pair of questions. For this discussion, let’s instead highlight some specific points and try to take them on piecemeal.

Cyberbalkanization

As defined by Techopedia:

Cyberbalkanization is the segregation of the Internet into smaller groups with similar interests, to a degree that they show a narrow-minded approach to outsiders or those with contradictory views. While the Internet has largely been credited for broadening discussion, it also can serve as a means of bringing together fringe groups with intolerant viewpoints. So, while the Internet has contributed to globalization and information exchange, it also may be used to foster discrimination.

In so many words, it’s human nature. We tend to seek out those with similar opinions for validation and comfort. However, with the fore mentioned homogenization of our information sources into a few small (and controllable) outlets, there is a dangerous precedent of reducing what we know into what we want to know.

Digital Divide

It may shock millennials, Gen-Xers, and perhaps a few Baby Boomers too, but the majority of the world’s population is NOT online. At all. Forget Facebook, Tumbler, and the rest – according to InternetLiveStats.com over 60% of the world populace has yet to experience the musical medley of a dial up modem tone.

It’s simple math – the more our world relies upon online sources of information and commerce, the fewer humans have access to it.

All this only considers having a physical connection. A GOOD connection, basic know how, technology education, online social savvy (cyber street smarts if you will), and linguistic barriers are all obstacles far more difficult to surmount than stringing a bit of fiber optic into third world neighborhoods.

Edutainment

Be honest – how many of you log into your favorite social media to get world news and reports. Be honest again – if you DID log in for education, how many of you wound up watching random videos, looking at friend’s photos, or succumbed to some other distraction?

Human nature strikes again. Combined with Cyberbalkanization, the ratio of frivolous to informative activity is arguably decreasing. End result is an uneducated but highly opinionated populate. If that combination sounds dangerous – it is.

Pseudo Participation

Perhaps better termed “Click Participation”. You will not find this point in our readings as it is my own. In this article among others I have argued a serious degradation to social capital is the self delusion of participation.

It is simply too simple and easy to fool one’s self into a sense of engagement by taking actions online that by and large have absolutely no real effect. An obvious example would be clicking like or posting an offhand comment about a post you agree or sympathize with. More and more specific discussion can be found here, here, and here.