How does social media help engage in community-based communications?
Social media has given the general public a bigger voice than ever before when it comes to serious issues in society. Although there are many downfalls of social media in terms of public negativity and misinformation, it is a place where meaningful conversations happen very regularly. I believe that, with the proper adjustments, the social media world will exponentialize communities’ ability to discuss ideas with the people in power to make real change happen locally, and across the globe. This helps immensely with the “citizen to leader” conversations that didn’t happen at scale before social media was present. Pooley et al states, “Publics are the element that keeps democracies democratic.” I believe social media has amplified the pubic communication that keeps our democracy democratic.
How does social media challenge community-based communications?
Before social media took off, it seemed that the voices of community members where not always heard, and the conversations driven by the community carried less weight than they do today. With the ability for everyone to communicate across the entire planet, certain issues going on globally can be discussed by everyone in real time. In 1990 for instance, you would have to wait for the news to see a certain issue, then you would maybe talk about these issues amongst your small group or family, and then maybe you see someone at grocery store and chat about it some more. This is a very slow flow of information to the public and also between community members. Furthermore, the ability for the general public to express their thoughts on the certain issue to people in power was almost non-existent. With social media, the general public receives information instantaneously and can immediately start the conversation around this topic on a multitude of different platforms.
Are there cultural sensitivities that should be considered?
Engaging online is something that gives individuals great power, but it also comes with great personal responsibility. Essentially, while you are online, you must realize that what you portray online is an extension of your biological self offline. You must act online how you want to be seen in real life.
What should your PLN say about you as you communicate to the public via social media or communication tools?
Your PLN should portray the identity of what you want to be seen as in the public eye. If you have your name attached to your social media profiles, everything you do online is given the exact same weight as what you say offline, so make sure you are being your true self.
What does it mean to balance your professional expectations and your personal beliefs in curating a PLN for the purpose of career development?
There is a very fine balancing act that you need to be aware of at all times while engaging in the online world. While you may be commenting on something that is out of the sphere of your workplace or profession, the actions you take online can still cause serious issues that you may not have foreshadowed.
Balancing personal beliefs and your professional expectations while conversing online is difficult. I believe when you are being fully true to who you are, while being open to new information to shape your ideologies, is the best way to handle yourself online. This way, you will be participating in conversations on topics that you enjoy, which will increase the power of the conversation. This way you will attract employers who will see the passion in your conversations without having to think about “the right thing to say”.
What do you think you need to reflect on (in regard to your PLN or development of a PLN) to adapt evolving social media communication expectations as a community learns more about who you are?
I believe that I have a better idea on how I want to curate my PLN thanks to this course. I believe that I need to engage and surround myself with more topics that genuinely excite me so that I can be a more powerful member to the conversation in the community.
Reference
Pooley, J., Taub-Pervizpour, L., & Jansen, S. (2013). Media and social justice. New York: Palgrave.
I also think that only by participating in more new and interesting topics to adapt to the evolving social media communication. The Internet is updated every day. Only by keeping up with the pace and accepting new things can we better integrate into the Internet media era. As you said, become a stronger member.