Week 3 Reflection

When most people think about social media, they think of mindless scrolling through pictures and ads. True, this is one aspect of it, but it can be so much more than that. Social media can be just as much about building and interacting with community, expressing your personal beliefs or learning a new skill. It is what you make of it. I know of people who use Facebook or Instagram as blogs. One person documents his thoughts and dreams as he copes with losing his wife. Another documents her struggles with Autism. Another uses it to display and promote an animation project currently in progress. There are so many possibilities that many overlook. The main point of social media is to form and maintain connections between people. What you do and how you do it is entirely up to you. With these various approaches to incorporating social media in our lives, not everyone will show up in the available communities the same way. Some people are producers and some are not. Some are active participants in communities, some are observers. There is no real right or wrong way to show, and I think it is a mistake to assume everyone will participate in the same way. This week, in our class discussion board, there was a question inquiring if silent lurkers are a 'problem' in communities. I think not. Lurkers are observers. People who are taking interest and learning about the topic in question and observing the interactions of the community. This is a natural occurance, and when they are ready and have something to contrubute, they will- but not with force. In recent years, it has been more common to call out lurkers. I recall many Youtubers saying "Hey, I see you quiet viewers! Comment and subscribe!" I feel this is equivalent to calling out the quiet person in a group and saying "Hey! why aren't you talking?" If you are shy or an introvert, you will understand the sentiment. How much of a positive difference does asking that make? Very little. It is more effetive to be aware of the different types of viewers and invite everyone to interact in whatever way they feel comfortable. Some may comment, some will like or subscribe, and some with do all of the above- and likewise, some will do none. But, it is up to the person and all is welcome.