This extreme example of a negative effect of a social networking website shows how influential this technology can be. I personally think that people should choose carefully which networking sites they should belong to, because they are more powerful then people think.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Social Networking Groups
Our discussions this week on various media networking websites, sparked my interest because just recently I viewed a documentary called "We Live In Public". The movie, which was released in 2009, is based on the internet mogul Josh Harris whom created Pseudo.com, the first online television broadcasting website. Although the film is aimed to reveal the negative effects the web is having on our society, it contains a segment about media networking websites as well. Josh Harris, the films focus, decides to have his entire life at home taped and broadcasted online, while allowing his online subscribers to communicate with him via chat room. During that time Josh had a wife living with him and although she agreed to be recorded as well, it ultimately caused them to break up. The reason this happened was because the people online viewing their lives started to turn Josh and his wife against each other, by posting their opinions of their every word and action. The people online took sides in the former private relationship, and even created their own networking websites to show either Josh or his wife, who was in the wrong. Eventually this caused the couple to separate and get a divorce.
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This documentary seems very interesting. It's amazing just how influential social networking can be. This reminds me of something we previously discussed in class frontstage and backstage. Stangers are able to see into this man's house and observe him and his wife and freely voice their opinions but they aren't actually there. This blurs the line of frontstage and backstage and when it is appropriate for complete strangers to judge your life. Social networking sights are enjoyable to belong to but we need to realize that there is a difference between the Internet and the outside world.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I think that documentary really opens people's eyes to see the benefits and consequences of Internet social sites. It would be really scary to have your whole life taped and have others be able to comment and critique your life. I mean, would you ever submit yourself to something like that? Also, I feel that sometimes social networks can really damage a person. Take Facebook photos that can contribute to a person not getting a job. Everyone needs to be careful with what they post. You never know who is looking.
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