By Rusnanee Kareema
Today, the power of Twitter makes everyone see the trending messages on Twitter. If you go back 10 years ago, no one would have expected the trend hashtags words would come out to the public.
The documentary titled “The Social Dilemma” directed by Jeff Orlowski illustrates the rise of social media and its damage caused to society. This has reminded me to be more aware of using social media especially Twitter.
Twitter is one of social media platforms with a large number of members and it will increase exponentially, especially when there are important events to discuss. Today the whole story has changed as the Twitter has emerged as a new superpower social media platform that challenges the old. If the word Twitter is to be defined, it will depend on the views of each party.
One party may view Twitter as the place of freedom of opinions, it is a tool for social change. Going back 10 years or 15 years ago, what would an individual tell to the society, it is so difficult, but Twitter has already given that opportunity to ordinary individuals.
However, to another party, it may be viewed that it is the place of negative comments, wayward, excessive demand for everything you want, and making small sound that is not suitable to be expanded to the public.
This may be something in the documentary “The Social Dilemma” that tells us that we are living in the era of great changes in society with technology and its algorithms accelerating. What people in society are looking for from the need to take many years to be a catalyst, it is accelerated to happen a minute now.
Ultimately, from people who are not using Twitter it can become addictive. Because they want to know what is the trending hashtags issue on Twitter today and most of the issues on Twitter are concerned with wanting to criticise something in society which is very influential today.
Previously, users in the system are not concerned with the trends that much which is opposite with current situation, when there is a trending on Twitter, it would then be drawn to be in accordance with the majority of people in it and it will attract more people into a large crowd to a powerful cycle of criticism.
This article is to remind us that our society is in a “crisis” in terms of economy, society and politics. The things that are causing the crisis include “human pathogens and technology”. Something we never expected it has changed in every moment of us now. Whether online ordering, cash payment, food delivery to eat at home, wearing a mask and etc.
An interesting speech from Tristan Harrison (Founder of Centre for Human Technology) quoted in the documentary, “It’s not about the technology being the existential threat, it is the technology’s ability to bring out the worth in society, and the worst in society being the existential threat.”
As a result, it is undeniable that “any changes” in society there are always both parties who agree and disagree but we must admit that many changes will not be able to go back.
A thing that most of us neglect while using Twitter is being “mindful”. This is actually an essential term to start taking control of our thought. Using mindfulness to listen and express thoughts before posting or publishing a message.
To remind, “The good use of Twitter is that all users should be aware of ethical practices and etiquettes in sharing to avoid causing damage and break the harmony in society.” ***
(This article is written as part of individual assignment series for Feature Writing class)