Social Networking

2009-09-30T20:48:00.001-07:00

Pbs Presentation – Young people often turn to social websites like Myspace to create a person that is entirely different from the person they present themselves as towards their parents. They can get away with a lot including racy pictures, and unruly behavior that would be frowned upon by their elders. These young people also use Myspace as a way to talk to other people their same age, and find things in common with each other. They consume their lives with websites like Myspace, children as young as seven years old, without even realizing it. These kids become hypnotized by a computer screen and what’s going on in the virtual world; they forget to live in the now and what’s physically in front of them.

Obama Campaign’s Use of Social Networking – The use of social networking, and forming a virtual society really improved Obama’s campaign to presidency in 2008. He added a whole demographic in the virtual world of the internet, and created a fan base beyond the conventional forms of media that we have now, such as t.v. and radio. By using the internet, Obama created a gateway towards reaching out to people all over the country. He increased popularity by means of social networking sites for young voters such as Myspace, Facebook, and the ever popular YouTube. All of these websites helped Obama to grab the attention of a whole range of fans, both young and old. Once he gained the popularity, events were organized on his behalf, supporting groups grew and grew, and his numbers continued to go up. Obama gained many supports through the internet and what he offered on websites, like videos of himself, and the campaign as well.

Second Life – Much like Myspace, or Obama’s use of social networking sites, Second Life serves a similar purpose. It unifies different types of people for different reasons. It was created by Linden Lab, and allows people to get to know one another, and socialize throughout the website. It has sufficed as a way for people to share similar experiences. Much like Obama’s campaign techniques, Second Life is used to bring people together who share a common like or dislike. We are brought together by a computer screen on a social networking site to talk to fellow peers. Obama used these websites as a tool to gain more fame and approval from the American people. The PBS presentation also presents these websites as creating a virtual world for young people to relate to others around the same age group, or with similar interests. Beyond using Second Life as a virtual space for interaction, it has also been used as a substitute learning space, or a classroom. Professors from different universities use the website to teach courses to students, and create a social communication between teacher and student. Also, they are actively participating in a website designed for their class, thus engaging them. It also helps to build social skills.