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6. Activism and Potest

Whether it be a revolution, protest or activism social media is having an effect on society, whether we like it or not. Forming subcultures of ‘everyday activism’, ‘subjectivism’ and ‘cultural jamming’, which is being used across more mediums and platforms than ever before. Our unique ‘digital citizenship’ is who we are online in a digital society that is forever changing. We see collective action increase and participation levels rise, whilst, social media platforms are being used to their maximum potentials. Whether it be to bring down regimes or entice community awareness and action. 

Activism and protest have been given a new life from its former grassroots. With social media tools such as, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram its become a very likely avenue to facilitate communication amongst society. 

The benefits of social media in regard to activism and protest are as follows:

build and sustain communities with (lower) geographical restrictions

gain visibility and voice—one of the trickier areas where dealing with violent authoritarian regimes

resist or talk back to dominant views, confront dominant media institutions, politics and structures of power

present alternative or marginal views legitimately

DIY—lowers the barriers for entry into the debate (e.g. proliferation of mobiles with data access and improved network infrastructure).

(canvas, 6.2 Digital activism and digital citizenship, 2018)

‘everyday activism’, ‘subjectivism’ and ‘cultural jamming’

The phrase ‘culture jamming’, popularised by Mark Dery (1990), 'comes from the idea of radio jamming: public frequencies can be pirated and subverted for independent communication, or to disrupt dominant frequencies. Culture jamming is a form of resistance to the hegemony of popular culture, based on the ideas of guerrilla communication and the detournement of popular icons and ideas. It has roots in the German concept of spassguerilla ("fun guerilla") and in the Situationist International' (Marshall, 2004)

Where ‘cultural jamming’ examples, such as the work by artist Banksy is head turning, and often left alone for years due to its relevance at the time.  ‘Subactivism’, ‘slacktivisim’ and ‘clicktivism’ has no real or lasting effect in the world. Another term used is ‘subactivism’, referring to the 'feeble motions immersed in the everyday many times removed from the hot arena of politics' (Bakardjieva 2009, p. 103).

A great example is the KONY 2012 below:

 You can view the original promo video, Kony 2012 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Invisible Children 2012), on YouTube.

KONY 2012′s intent was to gain recognition of an African Warlord with the intent to get Joseph Kony arrested. Gaining impressive power through social media. Though, it wasn't long until the population came to the realisation that nothing was going to come of it. 

VIEW BELOW TO SEE WHAT EVER HAPPENED!

Joseph Kony 2012: What happened to invisible children? – Truthloader (2013)<http://bit.ly/1pk3M06> https://youtu.be/okmswBs4rdg <--- link to video 

AGAIN, its hard to draw the line on whats okay and whats not okay on social media. Should we be held accountable for our actions in regard to ‘everyday activism’, ‘subjectivism’ and ‘cultural jamming’? Defamation is very real in a digital society in relation to these terms. 

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5. Politics and Civic Cultures

In this Blog, I will elaborate on the growing relationship between political campaigns and social media. In specific, the effect it had on the 2008 US presidential election. Whilst examining the use of social media tools such as Youtube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as a political campaign strategy to effectively increase civic and/or political participation. 

“In general, the Internet has become a dominant force when it comes to how campaign funds are raised, information is accessed, perspectives are shared and discussed, and individuals are mobilized to act politically. Youth politics, in particular, now includes a meaningful online component, as has been exemplified by Black Lives Matter, the DREAMer movement, and countless examples of flash activism (Earl, in pressEarl, J. (in press). Technology and social media. In D. A. Snow, S. A. Soule, H. Kriesi, & M. Holly (Eds.), The Blackwell companion to social movements (2nd ed.). Malden, MA: Blackwell. [Google Scholar]). What is less clear, however, is whether, when, and why engagement with social media is associated with political participation.” (tandfonline, 2018)

Social Media tools are a contributing factor in the relation of connecting younger age demographics to political campaigns. For example, the use of videography and comedy skits such as, Tina Fey’s Saturday Night Live impersonation of Sarah Palin and comedy network Barely Political's 'Obama Girl' and internet video Crush on Obama (Links to Barely Political Video) (Barely Political 2007). These clips continued to be posted on amateur political social sites, which were seen to have detrimental or beneficial effects to candidates campaigns depending on which party you were voting for. Using this example alone, illustrates that views and/or likes do not directly correlate to votes but show the implications these platforms allow. 

Looking forward passed the 2008 election we see ‘Obama Girl’ change her thoughts. VIDEO BELOW

https://youtu.be/C98I3oE6HUs

Social media helps politicians promote their campaigns. The 2018 key statistical indicators for the worlds internet, mobile and social media users show that 3.2 billion people worldwide are active on social media. So, in relation to creating a larger reach platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and the like are generating much larger numbers of people viewing posts, videos and images. 

 Some ideas to ponder:

Does social media ruin or build political identities?

Can presidential candidates reputation be brought back after false accusations made through social media?

When considering social media and its potential to alter election results and if it can. Individuals, local and state governments need work together to create regulations that protect the society of today. 

Personally, I don't find people being held accountable for many things online, whether it be as simple as cyber bullying or more complex like hacking data bases. Social identities are much easier to hide than personal identities. This being said brings me to think 🤔 When do we cross the line in relation to going #toofar online? Is a comedy skit that shows a presidential candidate being something they are not #2far? or is a #meme with false representation of parliament #2far? Where is the line and where do we cross it? Where is #2far (use the #hashtag #2far to identify areas where society has gone too far)

_______________________________________________________________________

Christopher. 

Anduiza, E., Cristancho, C., & Sabucedo, J. M. (2013). Mobilization through online social networks: The political protest of the indignados in Spain. Information, Communication & Society, 17(6), 750.[Taylor & Francis Online]

Best, S. J., & Krueger, B. S. (2005). Analyzing the representativeness of Internet political participation. Political Behavior, 27(2), 183–216.[Crossref],

Bode, L., Vraga, E., Borah, P., & Shah, D. V. (2014). A new space for political behavior: Political social networking and its democratic consequences. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 19(3), 414–429.

tandfonline. J. Kayn, J. Bowler, (2018). The Political Significance of Social Media Activity and Social Networks, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10584609.2018.1426662 Accessed 26 May 2018

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Accidentally Insecure

When considering the detrimental or astronomical effects social experiences can have on politics and civic cultures. I’d like to highlight the past idea of the “keyboard warrior”, a digital footprint some individuals take on-board with the idea that things can be said or done from the protected environment of their bedroom or toilet cubicle, without injurious and adverse consequences.

Now, you have the idea in your mind. Position this digital footprint on the likes of a candidate for presidency of a powerhouse nations such as, The Unities States of America. I’m certain, a particular blonde oversized joke for a current head of state comes to mind.

And here we are, History has showed us the problematic influence social media can have on electoral votes (with the hactivism on the most recent USA political election), fakenews in showing false entertainment and credibility as well as cultural jamming to defame the image of older canidates, who are “too old” and “out of date for todays society”.

Social media platforms can as astounding as it can be a dangerous tool. For example, the recent USA congress hearing regarding Facebook and its responsibility as a social network to keep people safe and secure.

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Speaking Social

Generally speaking, digital communities exist just like societal communities based offline and away from social media platforms like Facebook, Youtube and Snapchat. In every area of the globe and in every industry, politics, business and connecting with friends and loved ones in a digital community is growing rapidly in popularity.

With this being said, there are individuals, like myself, taking a step away from their online presence and digital footprint. Virtual communities, smart mobs, network publics and a digital society to these individuals is only a way of feeling less connected. In saying this, I would like to reference a popular TED talk, given by Sherry Turkle. In her talk ‘Connected but alone’ she “discusses her concerns about people becoming connected only through technology, and therefore disconnected from their inner and outer lives and personal real-world contexts.” 1.5 Discussion in Canvas (TED-Ed 2013)

BUT, its not just about being connected, is it?

Digital communities have lend their hand in many aspects of our lives. Whether it be social, political, cultural or economic, social media has given individuals, groups, business and organisations the tools to a louder voice, larger sharing capabilities, increase sales and market position, and ability to rally for a cause on a much larger scale.  

  https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/social_media

Wilken & McCosker, 2014, Cunningham & Turnbull, The Media & Communications, Australia, pp.291.295

Sherry Turkle,  Speaker, TEDAvailable at: https://www.ted.com/speakers/sherry_turkle2016