Christopher S. Penn's Awaken Your Superhero - Latest Comments in The Most Dangerous Part of Social Media

Re: The Most Dangerous Part of Social Media

david usher — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:09:14 -0000

Well put Chris. Niche is an amazing thing that brings like minded people together, but it also allows them to stay their, in the comfort zone and not have to look, listen and experience new ideas. The Long Tail isnt just for marketing and selling. Its relates to ideas as well.

Re: The Most Dangerous Part of Social Media

Social News — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:05:13 -0000

I totally agree with reading alternate news sources. Getting news from BBC makes more sense to me than Fox news or CNN. It's more likely they will have an unbiased opinion.

Re: The Most Dangerous Part of Social Media

jmoonah — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:56:21 -0000

Right, _IF_ you're getting most/all your information from social media, which almost no one is other than us 'fishbowl' folks... and in fact I'd bet that most people who are heavily involved in SM are likely BIGGER consumers of a variety of mainstream media than the general pop. I know for my part I almost never trust one source only for anything factual, and part of the reason for that is BECAUSE I read blogs.

Re: The Most Dangerous Part of Social Media

cspenn — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:45:39 -0000

True, though I'd argue that the nearly unlimited choice of social media channels means you never even have to accidentally encounter an opposing viewpoint. That's where social media diverges from mainstream media.

Re: The Most Dangerous Part of Social Media

jmoonah — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:43:43 -0000

Chris, I think what you're proposing is valuable advice in principle, but as I see it the only people who are likely to truly take it to heart are those are open minded to begin with. The vast majority of people will seek out media that agrees with the views they already have. Big media has always played on this and social media is just doing what it does -- fragmenting the discussion further.

What you're describing is not really a danger of social media, it's a danger of the human condition. We like to feel safe, and a feeling of safety comes in part from a feeling that our beliefs are right. People who don't mind feeling uncomfortable now and then are the ones who will learn the most, unfortunately they are not and never will be the majority.