Social Media Brings Us Together

I recently read another article that I feel is in close connection to my earlier post. I want to stick with topics of how new media outlets are trying to bring us together, whether that is for a particular agenda, or just in a generalized sense of good will.

Recently, TIME author Abigail Abrams posted an interesting article about Mark Zuckerberg's letter he posted to Facebook. Here, Mark Zuckerberg insists he wants to use Facebook for new and exciting idea on how to bring our global community closer together. In this letter addressed "To Our Community" Zuckerberg brings up topics such as safety, terrorism, fake news, and bringing humanity together. Also in this letter are some large goals that Zuckerberg sets for Facebook, and some great success stories in which people are already beginning to demonstrate these goals.

Mark Zuckerberg - Founder of Facebook and Global Humanist

Zuckerberg says in his letter, "There are many of us who stand for bringing people together and connecting the world. I hope we have the focus to take the long view and build the new social infrastructure to create the world we want for generations to come." His ideas include developing social infrastructures that further supportive, safe, informed, civically-engaged, and inclusive global communities. These five areas of work outline Zuckerberg's letter in which he states that these are the ways to create "collective values," "common humanity," and "common understanding" on a global scale.

I am wholly impressed by this letter, honestly. The new media leaders of my generation continue to work uncompromisingly to promote a better global experience for everyone. Their desire to bring the world together and to destroy hate resonates with me and I'm sure many of you reading this. While Ms. Abrams article was short and seemed to indicate that the letter was not specific enough, I disagree. Letters written with this kind of intent often cannot be specific, because they encompass ideas so monumental. There are too many ideas and situations in which Facebook can make Zuckerberg's ambitions a reality, that to specify much more than he did would leave many of them out.

Every time someone steps up and gives support for idealist goals, like bringing the world together, I am filled with hope that some day in the future, we will succeed in building global relationships that promote peace and understanding.

Well done, Mr. Zuckerberg. Well done.

Mark Zuckerberg was TIME's 2010 Person of the Year. Today, he is mine. 

Social Media Stands Together

I recently read an article on Cnet that gave me hope for my generation. If you've paid attention to the news at all, you will have seen that this past weekend, newly-elected President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning immigration from seven countries. Regardless of anyone's opinion on this matter--including mine--this was big news. As many people's lives were disrupted by this action, one message was abundantly clear: Our media would not stand for it!

According to Ian Sherr of Cnet news, dozens of the most popular media founders, owners, and business executives flocked to social media sites to voice their opinions, concerns and outrage at the executive order. Sherr reported that Facebook, Apple, Google, Twitter, Microsoft and many other companies expressed their criticism of the new president's actions. Other companies, like Uber, Netflix, and large technology corporations have joined in, showing their support of the movement and calling for the ban to be lifted. These same companies have begun raising money, donating, or writing letters to forward their cause. Several of them have spoken out about their own immigrant heritage, sparking a global discussion of opposition against the order.

President Donald Trump

As I stated earlier, this article gave me hope for my generation. Whether you consider yourself a 90s kid or a millennial, social media has become a far-reaching platform where globalized communities have been formed and bonds have been made. Yet, somehow, we have a reputation for not caring about politics or the events that are shaping our world. After reading this article, I have to say that I think we have been underestimated. I looked at this article as more than just someone saying "Hey. Everyone is mad about this executive order." I looked into the media effects of what the article says and saw hope. Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are creating conversations amongst the generations who have a stereotyped disregard for anyone other than themselves. We know that social media puts us in contact with the world, but it also puts the world in contact with us. And in doing so, we have become a connected unit of people willing to stand up for what we believe in, in a whole new way.

Immigration Ban Pickets

While the article sticks closely to just reporting on what these tech-world leaders are saying and doing, I want to see how these actions contribute to my generation's voice. Social media platforms have given my generation the ability to voice opinions, along with the ability to hear the opinion's of those who have shaped our world and our media. We are a whole new generation with our own processes and tools to shape the world. Seeing how the technological world comes together to not only voice their opinion, but also take action to help their cause, cements my belief that my generation will save the world.

Tayla Madaris

Social Media

Hello everyone! Blogging is pretty new to me, but I will have much more interesting posts concerning media and the effects of new media on our culture, the internet and much more! For now, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tayla, and I'm a college student. I have 6 beautiful cats who I think are amazing. I'm currently studying for my bachelor's degree in Communication with a concentration on media studies and effects. I enjoy writing, photography, reading fiction and watching documentaries concerning outer space. I hope you enjoy my upcoming blog posts, as I wish to see them as a communication between you all and I. Feel free to message me, share this blog or comment on it. Thanks so much!!