Online Activism

The question proposed is whether or not online activism can change the world.  This is question is best answered with no, but it can be a powerful tool to help change the world. The difference in both answers depends on whether or not people decide to actually participate in making a difference or if they actually become active in the cause.  People tend to always want to include their two-cents into anything they highly agree with or disagree with.  The difference is only made when they actually do something about it and not just voice their opinion. 

In the article Slacktivism they talked about the meme for marriage equality, which was a red box with an equal sign in the middle of it.  I saw this appear all over Facebook at their time and wondered why people were changing their profile pictures to it, so I did some research to see what it stood for.  Once I understood it significance I was able to determine where people stood on the issue.  However, like everything else, some people just adapted this logo to their profile pictures because “everyone else was doing it”.  Sometimes things like this are just a trend that people just follow not knowing the exact meaning behind the cause.  As stated at the beginning of the Slacktivism article, “While many may have posted it to show support for gay marriage equality, others may have placed it in their profile to follow the crowd — many other friends were doing it, so they joined in. Adoption of the logo therefore may not necessarily have indicated that the Facebook profile owner felt strongly about supporting gay rights equality.”  The article also makes a justifiable point when they say, “the spread of memes is an opportunity for digital activism, or instances of social and political change made possible through digital networks” because the internet is a place where you can quickly make people aware of an issue and gain support from others with the same concern/ideology.  So in this case if people are just following a trend online activism is not making much change, more than anything it is possible only bringing awareness to an issue.  The change will only be made if people actually decide to become involved in the cause.        

At the beginning of chapter 9 on page 181 of Controlling the Message it states that Barrack Obama’s campaign surpassed Howard Dean’s campaign by using social networking.  This is an effective way where online activism can help makes a change.  The 2012 Obama campaign has proven that online activism can help make a difference in helping to change the world.  The best way they did this was to reach out to supporters via twitter and get them involved.  This gave Obama the upper hand in the election and it definitely helped him by directly responding to questions being asked of him.  The online activism used for this campaign did not change the world, but it helped in getting people out to vote and raise funds for the campaign.  Another effective way online activism help make a change was during the Egyptian uprisings that brought down Hosny Mubarak.  As stated in the executive summary, “Online activism multiplied the impact of social protest in Egypt: it made political action easier, faster and more universal. In the tightly controlled Egyptian political space, social media enabled activists to circumnavigate the regime’s repressive structures to convince Egyptians in the online world into taking action in the offline one. This was its main success, for a revolution will always be won and lost on the streets.  People in Egypt did not only voice their opinions in this matter, they actually got out and protested.  This is the way online activism helped change the lives of the Egyptian and the course of an entire country because they literally overthrew their government and online activism played a major role in this movement.       

As far as the #blacklivesmatter, I understand people are trying to bring awareness to the way black people are being treated by police and I completely agree with this.  At the same time when the same things happen to other people of different color, the uproar should be the same.  Equal means equal not based on selection of color.  There are so many things wrong with today’s society that I believe we have become more separated than we have ever been in the past.  Most of, the postings on twitter are only about how black people have been unjustly treated by police, but what about others who are not black? Where is the hash tag #hispaniclivesmatter,  #asianlivesmatter and so on?

References

Myers, V., & Vaughn, J. (2015). Controlling the Message New Media in American Political Campaigns. (Online-Ausg. ed.). New York: NYU Press.

New Briefing Paper: Online Activism and Revolution in Egypt. (n.d.). Retrieved June 27, 2015.

Vie, S. (n.d.). In defense of "slacktivism": The Human Rights Campaign Facebook logo as digital activism | Vie | First Monday. Retrieved June 27, 2015.

Internet Trolling

Internet trolling is a method by which some people instigate a heated argument or discussion on a forum, chat board, or on social media, usually in an inflammatory or purposely antagonistic manner for their own, occasionally perverse enjoyment. Internet trolling exists for several reasons. Some trolls just enjoy irritating people with differing viewpoints or philosophies. Some enjoy playing the role of “devil's advocate” often to the point of complete idiocy and nonsense. Still others are simply sadistic, possibly with psychotic tendencies who enjoy hurting or inflicting emotional pain on others and use the anonymity of the internet to shelter themselves.

The most common of internet troll is one who just wants to “stir the pot” with other people with differing viewpoints or philosophies and sit back and enjoy the discussion. They can be found almost everywhere on the internet. They can be found on sporting forums, mocking the fans of an opposing team after a loss. Others enjoy making purposely inflammatory comments on news websites which have an audience whose political views are usually opposed to theirs. Still others can be found almost everywhere on the internet. Just trying to get a rise out of others with opposing views, beliefs, ideologies, or philosophies, often just for their own twisted enjoyment.

Other trolls enjoy a good rousing debate, and will even take a stance which is in direct conflict with their own beliefs just to achieve this end. These trolls just seem to enjoy arguing for the sake of arguing and will take any opportunity to get into a heated discussion with others, and if no opportunity exists, will start a conversation with a purposely inflammatory remark or post, deliberately instigating others to join the fray, thereby giving the troll exactly what they wanted, a heated debate or argument.

The last and potentially most dangerous and harmful of all trolls are those who will post hateful or harmful comments to others, simply for the sake of causing emotional distress. A recent paper by three Canadian universities suggests that these trolls might not just be mean-spirited but they might even be exhibiting sadistic or psychopathic behavior. These people hide behind the anonymity of the internet and will purposely make mean or hurtful remarks designed specifically to inflicting as much pain as possible.

Trolls do not only exist because of the anonymity of the internet, but the ability to remain faceless encourages their behavior.  People are much less inhibited and more brazen in an arena which ensures very little chance of a face to face conflict. This behavior can be shown in other aspects of human life as well. When people are driving a vehicle they are much more brazen and forceful with strangers than they would be if in an elevator with those very same strangers. With little to no chance of being forced to face their victims, internet trolls can operate with almost unlimited impunity, inflicting as much pain and distress on their intended victims as they can, before disappearing into the vastness of the internet only to emerge once more when the urge strikes them.

GRMC

Guadalupe Regional-Medical Center (GRMC) takes advantage of social media when promoting themselves sharing a message to people.  They are a medical facility and so safety is the primary concern.  Therefore awareness is not to far fetch from who they are.  GRMC uses Facebook as their social media device.  Which is good because everyone has Facebook and this reaches all demographics.  The last post was yesterday regarding some safety tips for vacations.  They tailor their Facebook to be family orientated.  They even promote their own employees.  There was this one post of an employee drawing blood, the picture was from the late 80s and they use hashtags on the Facebook post(#TBT).  This is a clue to them using some other social media device as well.  GRMC personalizes their Facebook to their customers as a family by posting stuff like “at GRMC, you get personalized care. I’ve loved working there for 22 years! I’ve had a great experience as a patient at GRMC over the years!”  This posting just says personal and makes users want to use the medical center.  The hospital can be a frighten experience for people and if GRMC promotes themselves like this than that tells this how they really are.

            Along with the posting and they personal care to people who post on the website, there is also links to other health resources such as the American Diabetes Association, The Skin Cancer Foundation, and The Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals.  These links can be helpful because they are gateways to other Facebooks for the medical practices people may need.

            GRMC has a lot information available to whoever needs the information.  If you click one of their hashtags, the hashtags will bring up something else informative with other links to help assist you in finding what you want.  The fact that they do respond their Facebook is comforting as well.  People aren’t afraid to comment and not expect to hear something back.  The staff that manages the Facebook appears to answer people back in a timely manner.  Or someone might see a post that is relevant and up to date that they feel like they will be able to talk to someone.  Also they have videos that inspire people to utilize their facility.  Although I do not think the whole Facebook site is be used.  The last review someone did was last year and the comments always say that “you get personalized care”.  I wonder why that is?

            As I’m looking through the Facebook I do notice that GRMC is using the entire Facebook site.  They have an event calendar set up, however the last event was on June 2 2015.  They may need to update their events.  The photo section is full of photos that have a warm and happy feeling to them.  People are smiling, playing games, and eating together.  This is great marketing because everyone knows what the hospital is but not everyone knows how friendly and personal people who work at the hospital can be. 

            On the about tab, GRMC says “they are a not-for-profit community hospital working with outstanding physicians to provide excellent healthcare and very good service.”  I believe this a good statement to get people to come to their medical center when they need to be seen.  It also provides a strip map to where they are.

            Guy Kawasaki on 10 tips for huge social media following says “segment the services”.  In referring to Facebook, GRMC is doing what he says.  They being personal, displaying pictures of employees and customers, and connecting with people.  Along with that he also says to respond to the customers.  GRMC is also doing that and they are keeping with their customers when the customers right a reply or something of that nature.  There is nothing negative on this Facebook site and therefore positive only attracts people and does not deter them from coming to the hospital in need of care.  GRMC “repeats themselves” a lot on the Facebook.  However I do not believe it is to much.  They are promoting not only the services that GRMC provide but the name of GRMC as well.  They always say “at GRMC” or “GRMC” before starting their post.  To let everyone know that GRMC is starting something and making people aware, such as their safety tips.  GRMC is using their Facebook correctly.  They are capturing their audience and making people aware of the possible dangers if they do not plan correctly for something or an event.  They allow users to not only use GRMC as their medical palce but also use other forms of medical attention hen they are need.  This creates GRMC to be a one stop shop for medical reasons and therefore people do not have to search anywhere else other than there website.  GRMC Facebook has good advertising technique to it and it should last a long time.

Works Cited: Guy Kawasaki: 10 tips for Huge Social Media Following

Establish VS Up and Coming

Any social media website that is popular is an ideal place to put up web comics.  Some of these include Reddit, XKCD, Hyperbole and a Half, the Oatmeal, Tumbler, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, MySpace, etc.  These social media outlets are great places to get noticed if you are trying to get your work noticed, and they can also attract a certain crowd.  When someone sees the comic they will share it and then someone else will share it and if it catches the attention of enough people it can go viral. 

Scott McCloud states “technology that might broaden the potential public for comic by allowing writers and artists to explore themes that would never make into mainstream publications” (p. 236).  This means that thanks to the Internet some people are able to get their work noticed and they may not have had any success otherwise.  Social media has allowed for people to become successful with their comics, before it was much harder.  This also allows the writers to express and gives the audience the ability to comment on their comics.  Allowing audience participation on their social media page also allows for the audience to put in their opinion and lets them express what they would like to see from the creator, and with this comes new ideas, which produces more material. 

One of the tings I noticed about the Oatmeal is that it an already established website so they do not have to work very hard on their comics.  The Oatmeal is a more traditional and conservative website and their comics are appropriate for anyone.  The reason the Oatmeal is popular is because it is already established, they have a variety of things on their website, and it is the content is appropriate for all ages.  Some of the things they offer are informative and others are just to get a good laugh.

The comics on Reddit are form people who are not yet established.  In these comics you can tell that the creator took his time to create the comic and put extra work into it and it is done in a way that will grab the attention of the viewer.  The comics on here are more on the liberal side and they are not for everyone.  Some of these comics should only be seem by adults 18 years or older.  Some of the comics on Reddit seem to have a pretty good fan base but they are probably not as popular because some of their content is not appropriate for younger people.

The comics can serve many purposes such as humor, awareness, or information.  One of the comics I enjoyed from the Oatmeal was “8 things I learned from wearing an apple watch”, because I have been considering purchasing and Apple watch.  This was a funny article and it used humor to make their point as to why the Apple watch was a good purchase.  The funniest point the writer makes in the comic is to inform the read on how effective the text message feature is but how much the phone call feature sucks.  The writer wrote the following:

Phone calls suck. Texting does not.

I am filing “receiving a phone call on my Apple Watch” in the same category as “stuffing pickles up my butt.” I have pickles. I have a butt. It’s something I can do, the opportunity is there, but it’s not something I’d ever want to do. The speaker is terrible and it forces you to broadcast your conversation publicly. And, much like the pickle party, it’s impractical to do in a restaurant or library.

This statement is hilarious but it also gives a very ridiculous example using a pickle and his butt, which I must says definitely made his point on why the phone call feature sucks. 

Just because a comic may become viral it does not mean that the artist will have further success.  I do not believe that the entire artists on Reddit are undiscovered, I believe that they may have some followers but they have not attracted enough people to become recognizable and some of the people that know the work of the artist may not be a long term/dedicated fan. Chris Anderson argues that the web comic “may accrue value at a different pace, on a different scale” (p 238). 

I do think that success can be both accidental and not accidental.  It can be accidental if the right fan based is established and the artist’s work goes viral and they establish a dedicated fan base.  At the same time it cannot be accidental and the artist can become well known if he knows the right people.  This is not only true in this industry but I believe it is life in general.  Sometimes it is about the work and the people you attract and other times it is all about who you know and this determines how successful you are. 

      

University - Student Engagement

Universities are always looking for ways to interact and keep their students engaged.  Universities do this in order to welcome and establish a relationship with their students.  Some of the things they do in order to establish these relationship includes: orientations for their new students, annual events, and most recently these universities have turned to social media to keep them engaged. 

In prep for our 4th Annual Tent Sale, we are happy to share some #FlashbackFriday photos from 2014! #CSURams pic.twitter.com/otYU1PnEDW

— CSU Surplus Property (@CSU_Surplus) June 12, 2015

The chapter begins with this quote:

            Every time a new consumer joins this media landscape, a new producer joins as well because the same equipment — phones, computers — lets you consume and produce. It is as if when you bought a book, they threw in the printing press for free. (Shirky, p. 153).

This seems fitting considering that every person who now owns a phone is connected through social media.  They are no longer just the audience, but also producers. 

STUDENTS

I decided to connect through Colorado State University (Colorado State University) to determine how they are using social media to connect with their students.  The things I noticed most about their interaction was that Colorado State University tries to be very involved with their students.  Colorado State University will give them shout outs for doing well like this:

Congratulations! Your hard work is paying off. Keep going strong, Ram. https://t.co/LoLRZmZxXB

— Colorado State Univ (@ColoradoStateU) June 10, 2015

Colorado State is also recognizing some of the struggles students have to go through in order to achieve some goals and they also acknowledge their staff.  On their Twitter, Colorado State retweets and acknowledges students who are posting about them.  It also seemed as though the other main use for Colorado State University Twitter is to see how or if students incorporated their “Ram Pride” during their wedding day.

Did your #RamPride make an appearance on your Big Day? Show us your #CSUWedding pics! https://t.co/PlrHtpRqLA

— Colorado State Univ (@ColoradoStateU) June 11, 2015

     

There was a good amount of student interaction with the university and those that did interact and tweet to the university did so to state how great Colorado State University is.  Many of the tweets from students showed how beautiful Colorado State University is and how it is the perfect university. 

Drove around @ColoradoStateU tonight & every turn confirmed this is the right place for Derek. Beautiful, inspiring campus. #RamOrientation

— Carole (@irishnbuff) June 10, 2015

Colorado State has strong community bonds and they encourage their students to become familiar with the area visit it.  This is an indication that the university also has strong ties within their surrounding community. 

During this tweet, a sister Twitter account for Colorado State is giving advice to those who are planning on having a party.  They are advertising to make sure they are not posting things on social media and they hash tag it with party smart.  This is another way that Colorado State is maintaining a relationship with their student by trying to help them stay out of trouble, especially during a time when everything is posted on social media. 

Having a party? Think before you post on social media. #PartySmart #ThinkBeforeYouAct #ColoradoState

— CSU Party Smart (@PartySmartCSU) June 12, 2015

ADVERTISING

Colorado State University also uses Twitter a lot to advertise about their school as well as the area.  I will have to admit, it even made me want to take a tour of the area and the campus.   

It's a beautiful day in #FortCollins. Happy weekend, State. pic.twitter.com/ATs8JonBor

— Colorado State Univ (@ColoradoStateU) June 12, 2015

Colorado State is not only advertising their area, they are advertising to students about future career opportunities and about school events going on.  In a way this is the way Colorado State is communication with many of their students. 

@DisneyInstitute returns to CSU Aug. 6 http://t.co/nUQ2wIP4rE via @ColoradoStateU pic.twitter.com/B20bsjZgM7

— CSU Morgan Library (@CSUMorganLib) June 15, 2015

SPREADABLE MEDIA

So in short Colorado State University is attempting to communicate with their students by being supportive, instilling pride in them and their community, keeping them engaged, and effectively advertising to bring more people in.  Colorado State Twitter is showing that they are actively listening to their students and they are communicating back.  They are not just focusing on themselves, but they are making sure that their students are engaged and being recognized even after they have left.  This is a very effective form of active communication Colorado State is doing it!  I did not see them not having an effective way to communicate with their students.  There is room for improvement and a way they can better themselves is to have more interaction with them.

While this chapter emphasizes the needs for companies to focus on listening rather than hearing, I believe Colorado State University is doing a pretty good job at it.  On Twitter Colorado State University looks like they are interacting and listening to their audience and not just combining their audience as a whole, but viewing them individually.