M2 socio-digital debate (Topic: Social Media) | By: Lourenzo Manimtim

M2 socio-digital debate

 

ØEverything we post on our social media will remain there forever.

·       Agree, what we post on social media reflects what kind of person we are, our traits and personality reflect on each post we put on our social media accounts. Art is the expression of the soul, and these expressions it immortalizes you. Same can be said with social media, as post are expressions once it’s posted it stays there. What people has seen will stay and make a mark in their minds. You may delete the post but what you post will be history. Our word is powerful and what we say, or post can be used to better or against us. It is significant to remember to responsible in social media. It is an expression and what we post and do in social media immortalized and reflects what you are. It will remain forever; it may be forgotten but what you say will stay. Stay in the pages of history.  

ØThrough the use of social media, you can feel invisible.

·       Agree, Anonymity, social media enables us to engage as a different person. To wear the mask of another and be free to safety. And in this invisibility, it enables to go beyond of your real self and do things usually limited to you. In social media, you can become anyone you want without restrictions and repercussions. You can comment, bash, and swear without having and experiencing the consequence. It enables you to feel the illusions of invisibility an artificial and virtual safety in the wide curtains of anonymity.

ØHow we present ourselves using social is the same with how we present ourselves to the real world.

·       Agree, but it depends, yes but usually no, social media enables people to create, develop and build a new identity. And as I said earlier it develops anonymity and invisibility. We can be who we are or be others in social media. In the real world, you might be a quiet and a silent person, but in the other world, in social media, you are a pro-bardugulanista! You are active! Engaging and Loud! Social Media is a place created to be an area of recreation and a space for people to connect and meet with one another. It’s like room or a conference, where it gathers people to socialize in LDR (Long Distance Relationships) but as technology, engagement and fascinations evolves social media does evolve too, it has become another world. A virtual world, a space where people can be free yet not. Social media in the modern world today is a new world, a free yet isolating world, and in this world a person has a choice to be them or be different in liberty or death.

ØThere is no authority in the virtual world.

·       Agree, why are there still Hackers? Why aren’t they in Prison? And until today many of them still roam on the internet. In relation to my statements above, there is no authority in this world, as everything or everyone can be invisible or anonymous in the virtual world. There is no one who controls and there is no higher power to vest authority and ruling figure. The virtual world is decentralized, which means that no person controls this world, and everyone is equal in this world. But what about the Global Corporations? Do they not control the virtual world? Yes, they have the power but not the authority. They can have influence, but people are free to do what they and if they willed it to be even the Global Corporations can be destroyed and that’s where hackers play the part. So, is it a good place? Yes, it’s good in use, efficiency, and accessibility. But in morality, the virtual world is complex and twisted place it can good, bad, and grey. None controls the virtual world, as anyone can contribute and become someone, and possibly create their own worlds. It is decentralized as a whole; in the virtual world no one limits or restricts the people on their acts and imagination except for real-world problems that may affect their virtual experience.

 

ØWe are more confident when we cannot see the people we are talking to.

·       I truly agree, when we talk face to face with other people, we are careful in our own words to not offend and destabilize the communication. No matter in what context or circumstances we face, we become conscious and careful to who we are talking to face to face as in any moment there is a sense of guard and that person in front can do something like harm you as example. Our confidence when we cannot see the people, we are talking to is high. For instance, in the peak times of the pandemic, there are virtual classes, and in these classes opening of cameras is duly required. But some students did not open their cameras. Common reasons include shyness, fear and social anxiety. Some students fear and are not comfortable to talk and speak while their cameras are open. And they only gain the confidence to speak up when their cameras are off. So, what does this imply in relation to the question? People are more confident speaking or talking if they are in safe space and does not feel endangered or uncomfortable. Though there are lapses with not seeing or talking in person, by having no physical or virtual interaction in talking gains the ability of the person to speak freely. A person can feel free and invisible that there is nothing holding them back especially when engaging in social media.