Week 6 - The Battle for Public Opinion

How is social media changing the way people document history?

Because social media and smartphones are more readily available to the public individuals are able to post photos and videos very easily.   There is very little time between or thought between capturing photos or videos and posting.  There is rarely a gatekeeper processing the data before being shared with the world.  This can have differing effects on how information is being shared.  In some instances it can be beneficial to see how employees are treating customers if it is an exceptionally good or bad incident.  But we may not be seeing the complete story, all of the factors contributing to positive or negative treatment.  

How have people used social media to win the hearts and minds of people?  Provide examples.

Cat videos.  Plain and simple.  Cat videos and pictures have won the hearts and minds of millions of people, even non-cat loving people.  They're just so cute!  Baby animals are excellent too.

Other ways that people use social media to win the hearts and minds of people is to use multimedia, like we are using here, to touch on and enhance messages that are meant to touch our emotional core.  The European Cyclists' Federation placed a photo of an adorable baby in a cargo bike to headline their story How cargo bikes are winning hearts and minds in Lisbon.  Throughout the article they feature photos with children, as well as the Mayor, to play to the hearts of adults and parents in an effort to gain their approval and sway them.

How has social media become a powerful mobilization channel?  

Social media has made it possible for more people to communicate quickly and easily.  This has led to quick mass notification about events planned or spontaneously happening, like flash mobs.  Social media's audience and capacity for a wider audience helps to mobilize more people.  It has helped plan social events and political protests.  Much of the 2021 social movement events were possible because of social media.  Countries in the middle east and east have heavy censorship on communications, especially the internet, partly due to fear of protests and uprisings.  The ability to spread information quickly and easily via the internet/social media is profound.