As repetitive and cliche as it sounds, Social Media has redefined social spheres and interactions in a way that has changed our world. The ongoing debate on whether or not social media is a commodity or mishap, is unnecessary and futile.

As much as people and so called experts complain, the effects of social media has already changed the future as we know it. We are no longer confined to a small library of knowledge, we have access to the world wide web. There are two ways that you can view social media, as either a trend setter of fashion or a tool for communication.

According to Clay Shirky,”this generation [has] the largest increase in expressive capability in human history” and he believes that social media is the reason for it. We learn about world events as they are happening, we have access to news by the minute and we have the power to be producers of content, not just consumers. Me, as an individual being able to share my thoughts and opinions through a blog is proof of that. I am a producer as well as a consumer.

Like all things in a cause and effect world, there are cons to social media. Radicalisation and corruption have manifested themselves online and negative messages about religions, races, genders, sexual preferences do spread but thats where we step in, the common folk with voices of reason.

 

Linked below is a Ted talk by Clay Shirky discussing the power of social media.