2011: A Social Revolution

Whoever said Facebook and Twitter are pointless really doesn't get out much. Facebook has 500 million users for a reason. The ability to have so many users speaks for itself. I got my Twitter account in March of 2009. Back then, I didn't see the point of a website where individuals were asked to constantly update what they were doing. So, I'm brushing my teeth, do millions of people really care or need to know that? Probably not, but if you take a step back, then you could see the amazing potential and power of a social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. 


Power and potential - how so? Malcolm Gladwell's article, "Twitter, Facebook, and Social Activism," in The New Yorker, really puts the importance of social networking sites in perspective. In an era where news can be transferred at the click of a button, and mass movements can be arranged over the internet, is our society on the brink of a social revolution? Possibly so. The recent protests in Egypt have put a heavy spotlight on social media websites and the power they hold. After reading articles day after day about the chaos and tragedy in Egypt, it is unbelievable the entire event was organized over Facebook. 


Facebook. How many times a day does the average person check their Facebook? I would answer for myself, but I would like to save some of my dignity. A website most people take for granted, including myself, most Facebook users look at their friends' walls, pictures, and comment back and forth on walls. The average user doesn't use the largest social networking website as an organizing tool for an national revolt, but what if this became a more common theme? Gladwell might have hit it on the nail when he said we're on the verge of a social revolution. 


Twitter has drawn a lot of attention recently because of it's ability to transfer "real time news." Users are able to place themselves in the situation and make any reader feel as if they are partaking in the event as it transpires. Gladwell talks about protests the 2009 protests in Moldolva, when citizens rebelled against the government. Sounds familiar. With the protests in Egypt, Twitter kept millions of people informed about events going on in Egypt as they happened. The use of metadata tools, such as a hashtag, help group and organize news as it is tweeted in. The #Egypt hashtag on Twitter brings up millions of people talking about the protests. Within these tweets, users provide the readers with valuable information and "real time" updates. 


After reading Gladwell's article, I am semi-convinced he might be telepathic. Gladwell's ability to weave history and technology, perfectly demonstrate what might be in store in the future. The article was written in October 2010, months before the events in Egypt. Although the protests are an isolated event, they could potentially serve as an example for future movements.