Ok so I have been thinking about generalized self expression on the internet and I have mixed feelings about it. Generalized self expression was mentioned in Wenger's book, and Shirky's by a way of publishing as a form of acting. I completely agree that expressing your opinions on the internet and making a fb page about it can definitely make change and cause actions through coordination, but I it is kind of annoying at the same time depending on the rant/cause. For example the guy in the first chapter of the Shirky book that made a huge fuss about his friends phone and got a bunch of bandwagon followers to help him "hate" (yes I just used slang) on that 16 year old girl for a phone that was left in a cab until he got it back... ridiculous and annoying. Just let the phone go dude! Is giving people this type of voice making them feel entitled to make others feel humiliated or angry? This kind of thing happens on fb all the time! It drives me crazy if you cannot tell. If someone uses Facebook as a soap box and someone who reads it does not agree apparently when hiding behind a computer people feel entitled to be as rude, harsh, or just plain mean.
Don't get me wrong I believe there is so many great things that come out of being able to have a voice on the internet, but I wish it was more positive on specific social media like Facebook. Will having blogs and other types of social media soap box bring people together, or tear nations and cultures a part? You can argue both sides, but I think it is a question that needs to be asked.
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