Social Media Networking: From Occupy Wall Street to Flash Robs
From the Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Chicago to the recent riots in England and the current slew of Chicago flash robs/mobs used to rob tourists, many are either praising or condemning social media for its part in these events. It has become far easier to organize just about anything via Facebook events or Twitter postings. How have these actions impacted activists and causes? Is this something to be praised, condemned, or neither? When it comes down to it, can we really hold accountable the tools used to mobilize, whether they are used for good or bad, instead of the people involved?
Mark Anthony Thomas agreed to answer a few questions about the role of social media in grassroots movements and activist causes for SocialTechPop. He is the Director of City Limits (a non-profit news organization covering the advocacy community in NYC) and an organizer for the New York City’s Online News Association.
Social media has made it easy for people to connect and communicate around interests. We've never in history been able to interact so easily and so instantly, it has officially changed who has a voice and who has a platform.
How vital is social media networking to activists today?
The biggest impact is how easily activists can speak directly to their audiences. They really can share resources and information and news and build a following without the filter of traditional media sources. With the huge flow of information most people receive daily, activists and organizations without an online or social media presence, will have a difficult time retaining audiences that, more and more, are shifting to the web for all information.
What role have you noticed it playing in the Occupy Wall St/Occupy Chicago/etc. protests?
People were, in essence, gathering on line, then took it to the streets. Large cities have seen social media play this role for social events and recent political campaigns, only now has the activist community start to truly leverage social media's power to push for the change they'd like to see. It totally changes everything we know about how organizing is done.
Do you think that this level of organization was as easily managed in the past or is social media revolutionizing these events?
Americans have always organized for its causes. The economic climate, and to some extent, the interest of people and media audiences in the rise of the Tea Party, has encouraged media organizations to look at other economic-focused movements that may be on the horizon. Years from now, this will be a part of the narrative of the Great Recession.
Do you think it’s acceptable to credit the potential riots and negative impacts (such as with the recent riots in England) of group meetings/protests to social media networking?
t
Kristen Micek (@KristenMicek) is pursuing a BA in English with a minor in Digital Cinema from DePaul University. She is a Digital Media Strategist at Kambio Group and a contributing writer/product reviewer for SocialTechPop. She's been published in NewCity and occasionally contributes film reviews to CrimeSpree Magazine. Kristen is always trying to learn about the newest technology trends, as well as keeping up with the current pop culture happenings.