Pick
a topic or issue from the readings that struck you as interesting, important,
confusing, etc. and reflect on it in by responding to the following prompts: What
is / are the tools and techniques being put into practice? What is / are the
key issue(s) outlined in or underlying the text (think in terms of Green’s
model: operational, cultural and critical)? What are your feelings and opinions
on the reading? Be sure to reference the reading(s) including author and page
number.
The article by W. Lance Bennett called “Changing Citizenship in the Digital Age”
stuck me as interesting because it addresses the shifting of communicating and
sharing information. Even though this
was published in 2008 it is still reverent today. Young citizens are utilizing technology as a
means to express themselves and share information in an effort to change and
bring political issues to the forefront.
“It is clear that many young citizens of this digital and global age
have demonstrated interest in making contribution to society” (Bennett, 2008).
Digital platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,
and LinkedIn provides an avenue for young citizens to voice their own opinions
or discussions and link up with those of share their ideas. The United States presidential election in
2008 was groundbreaking when then candidate President Obama used social media
as a form of communications. “This
election was the first in which all candidates – presidential and congressional
attempted to connect directly with American voters via online social networking
sites like Facebook and MySpace” (Fraser & Dutta, 2008).
In using Green’s 3D model the Operational is the language used within social media and amongst
digital natives. The Cultural is the Internet and platforms used to voice their political
opinions. The Critical is maximizing these online platforms to reach other young
citizens. In my opinion, this text
focused too much on politics than the median in which the message is
shared. I do understand that the
author(s) point of views of their expressions in the text but I felt it was too
wordy in trying to express the point. Overall,
good read and it has opened my mind to another way thinking about politics
using digital media. I’m not a big user of social media.
References:
Bennett, W. (2008). Changing Citizenship in the
Digital Age. Retrieved from
https://moodle.esc.edu/pluginfile.php/1266359/mod_page/content/11/Changing%20Citizenship%20in%20Digital%20Age.pdf
Fraser, M., & Dutta, S. (2008). Barack Obama and the
Facebook Election. Retrieved from U.S. News:
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2008/11/19/barack-obama-and-the-facebook-election
The Bennett article was very informative, and you made some great observations. One of the points made by Bennett that was fascinating was the Nielsen polls. The Nielsen ratings survey who is watching certain TV shows and what shows they are watching. A recent poll that they conducted found that males in the 18-24 age demographic had severely dropped off in their television viewing (Bennett, 2008). What they found was that they were using their TV to play X-box and other games. In sum, they had become disengaged with traditional media outlets. Bennett makes a parallel connection to how youth have become disengaged from traditional methods of receiving political messages.
ReplyDeleteThe presidential election of 2008 was a pivotal point, as were the occupy movements in 2011, and organizations such as moveon.org that can get the younger demographic to mobilize and become engaged in issues that are important to them. This will continue, and I think it proves that the youth demographic is not necessarily disengaged, but finding new ways of expression.
Reference:
Bennett, W.L. (2008). Changing Citizenship in the Digital Age. Learning How
Digital Media can Engage Youth. edited by W. Lance Bennett. The
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Series on Digital
Media and Learning. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2008 1-24
Derek,
ReplyDeleteNot having realized that it was definitively the 2008 election that brought online connections with Obama and his followers, but now that I think about it, I agree with the time line. Since then I have seen it more and more. On my facebook alone, I am friends with a childhood friend who is now a State Senator, 2 members of the assembly, the Sheriff of the county, the County Executive, and the list goes on. The forum of Social Media is a connection which cannot be created any other way. The digital era is quick and available 24/7. The audience does not need a special invitation, there is no need to rent an auditorium to host a town hall meeting because everything is virtual. However, the virtual part doesn't take away from the personalization, considering the fact that their is Skype, OooVoo, etc... a meeting can be held at anytime. More importantly, so long as there is an audience, there is a change to connect with the public.
For me, I am running for my Town's Supervisor in the November election this year and I am just finishing up my campaign page on facebook. It will be a place for my followers to post concerns and engage with me directly. It is to my advantage to have a page like this.
Lori
Derek,
ReplyDeleteI do agree that social media has caused a major change. As Recuero (2012) stated in her video, social media helps to raise awareness. With Obama it definitely had a huge impact. Social media helps to keeps people to stay connected with news, family members, different issues that need awareness etc. In my experience I used social media when my husband was ill. There is a different side still, it seems to work best for those who are more popular. The more followers(friends) and/or likes you have the better the experience.
Recuero, Raquel. Digital Youth, Social Movements and Democracy in Brazil. N.p.: Connected Learning TV, 24 July 2012. YouTube.