Social media: a different approach

‘’We humans are social beings; we share mirror neurons that allow us to match each

other’s emotions unconsciously and immediately’’(​www.forbes.com​)​ [1]​ . What makes human

beings different from animals is the use of the language. Prior to the genesis of the internet,

people used to communicate face-to-face. When interacting face-to-face, humans are able to

make eye contact, express emotions and convey their ideas; though, due to the advent of

technology, people’s interaction changed dramatically, and social media have become the main

actor.They have established a different manner of using human’s communication. Although

some journalists and specialists have a critical view about social media, arguing that facebook,

instagram and twitter have a negative harmful impact on human behaviour; they assert people

became solitary, depressed and less human beings. Nonetheless, at no point might this view be

accurate whatsoever. Not only social media created a hyperconnectivity, but also developed a

new way of communicating with one another.

Given the hyperconnectivity provided by social media, humans are way more socializer

than before. Let’s take the example of adolescents in the 50’s, their only way of communication

was face-to-face interaction. Currently, there are a broad range of communication choices such

as video calls, instant audio messages, among others, though humans are still able to express

their emotions and ideas via those choices. For this reason, social media do not necessarily

affect face-to-face communication; they are just another choice to be used whenever and

whomever the user wishes to. Just as Peter Phillip affirms in an article:

‘’Instead of trying to slow the onslaught of technology and its impact on the lives of my

kids, by demanding that we have ‘off-grid’ holidays, screen-free mealtimes and

 technology blackouts after bedtime, perhaps I should be more open to the possibility that

it’s my own sense of humanity that needs to change. (​www.virgin.com​) ​[2]

Additionally, the sense of a solitary-man in front of social media is a bit subjective. Even

though people are considered ‘’solitary zombies’’ because they are constantly looking down at

their phone’s screen, 20 years ago, if an analogy is permitted, people were not less social by

writing a letter or making phone calls. New technology over the time made possible new ways of

communication. To illustrate this, let’s refer to Brenna Brandes who, in a blog post, asserts: ‘If

one were to argue that social networking makes us less social, how would you categorize the

handwritten letter? Is that considered being "less social," even before the use of the

Internet?’’​[3]

Though social media creates hyperconnectivity and a new way of communication, some

critics argue that social media turn people more anxious, isolated and indifferent to the external

world. Professor Sherry Turkle in her book ‘Alone Together’ states: ‘social networking are more

like mutual isolation networks that detach people from meaningful interactions with one another

and make them less human’’ ​[4]​. Neither has it been social media, the cause of people’s

depression, nor the cause of less human’s empathy. Multiple factors such as drug addictions,

mental illness, among others, might cause depression, loneliness, and anxiety. To blame social

media causing these factors means having a narrow perspective about the whole picture. Like

Peter Phillips insists: ‘’Ultimately, technology is still just a tool. On its own, I don’t believe it has

the power to make us less human. Or more human, for that matter. That’s up to us’’. ​[5]
 Social media has shifted the paradigm of the usage of humankind’s communication in

the last 20 years; though, this change embedded some luddite detractors arguing that social

media such as facebook, twitter and instagram turn people more isolated and depressed.

Nevertheless, these arguers do need to grasp that social media are new completely sources to

establish other interaction between two or more people than face-to-face. “A fundamental

approach to life transformation is using social media for therapy; it forces you to have an

opinion, provides intellectual stimulation, increases awareness, boosts self-confidence, and

offers the possibility of hope.” ― Germany Kent. ​[6]

Words​: 662

Reference

[1] ​Morgan, Nick. (2015, September 1).We Humans Are Social Beings - And Why That Matters
For Speakers and Leaders. Retrieved from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickmorgan/2015/09/01/we-humans-are-social-beings-and-why-th
at-matters-for-speakers-and-leaders/#4fd6965d6abd

[2]​ Scrimgeour, Heidi. (2018, june 12). Is technology making us less human? Retrieved from
https://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/technology-making-us-less-human

[3]​ Brandes, Brenna. (2014). Social Media... or Antisocial Media? Retrieved from
https://www.tremr.com/brennabrandes/social-media-or-antisocial-media

[4]​ Turkle, Sherry. (2011). ‘’Alone Together’’

[5]​ Scrimgeour, Heidi. (2018, june 12). Is technology making us less human? Retrieved from
https://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/technology-making-us-less-human

[6]​ Kent, Germany. (n.d) Social Media Mind Quotes. Retrieved from
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/social-media-mind
Glossary

Hyperconnectivity​: it is the use of many systems and devices so that you are always
connected to social networks and other sources of information.

Paradigm​: a typical example or pattern of something; a pattern or model.

Off-grid​: not using or depending on public utilities, especially the supply of electricity.

Luddite​: a person opposed to new technology or ways of working.

Detractor​: a person who disparages someone or something.

Grasp​: comprehend fully.

Chocobar, Augusto