Like it or not Social Media is now a part of our lives. Although Social media has existed for some time now (in Open-Source software environments this type of communication & collaboration has been used for more than 10-20 years), it has only recently evolved to a point where it is easily accessible and easy to use.
Recently, a conversation about the reasons & need for Social Media highlighted the reasonable belief that the tools of Facebook & Twitter were nothing more than places where people gossiped about each other and posted pointless babble about what one had for dinner. And Twitter was pointed out as the worst of all for inciting this type of behaviour.
This got me thinking about the value I have found in this tool. Since joining Twitter I have:
- Connected with key influencers, entrepreneurs & thought leaders
- Gained a clearer perspective on an individual or an organisations personality
- Had some insight into the thought processes of successful people
- Shared articles & opinion pieces relevant to topics I am passionate about
- Created or became part of tribes who share common interests
- Re-invigorated my social circle with interesting people
- Demonstrated my ethos, values & passions while carving my niche
- Participated in conversation & expressed my opinion
It is important to point out that I am aware I do most of the above points offline and I will continue to do so. Have I been able to achieve the points highlighted above on the same scale offline as I have online? Definitely not.
The main point, which keeps highlighting itself, is the benefit of mass collaboration, especially by connecting peoples ‘minds’ to strengthen the success of certain projects.
Documentaries such as UsNow discussing the power of mass collaboration, transparency & openness in politics/busness highlight the benefits. Or demonstrated examples of Kiva.org which provide micro-donation/micro-lending, collated from small amounts of money being donated by a large number of people. These loans are provided to people to start their business or to simply buy a cow to feed their village.
Andy Hobsbawm, the co-founder of Green Thing recently wrote in Reboot Britain essay:
There’s no doubt that the internet symbolises a potential global connectedness the like of which we’ve never seen. And this comes at a time when a challenge like climate change represents a global crisis the like of which we’ve never faced. The only way to tackle something that affects all of us is together, so some level of global consciousness is going to need to take place if mankind can defeat a problem of this scale.
So, do I think that Twitter and Facebook are the solution? NO
Do I believe that the tools which exist now, namely Facebook & Twitter, having brought this conversation into the mainstream, connecting people all over the world are an important step in this path to global collaboration? YES
Do I believe these communities & tribes will now start to create their own niches, will diversify, strengthen and empower those who are a part of them that to take action in areas of Environment/ Sustainability, Social Justice and Social Inclusion? YES
Yes, Social Media can be used for gossip, it is a tool that democratises and allows freedom of expression after all. However, it is up to the individual how they use and what they find.
I look forward to the continuing and evolving nature of these networks, new Social Media tools, their uses and the impact collaboration can make. After all, its not about the tool, its about how you use it!
How do you use your Social Media platforms?
What do you see is the future of Social media & community collaboration?
