“Human beings live in two different kinds of environments. One is the natural environment and consists of things like air, trees, rivers, and caterpillars. The other is the media environment, which consists of language, numbers, images, holograms, and all of the other symbols, techniques, and machinery that make us what we are” (Postman).
Social Networking, including websites such as “Facebook”, “My Space” and “Twitter”, are all a part of the “media environment” referred to by Neil Postman. These sites are all designed to bring together people who wish to share aspects of their personal lives, make new friends and find old ones, discuss issues, etcetera.
Although Facebook is considered a “social network” I feel that it is more than just that. It allows one to access games, blogs, knowledge communities and many more features; therefore I think that Facebook fits into many categories of “participatory culture”.
“Facebook's mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. Millions of people use Facebook everyday to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, share links and video, and learn more about the people they meet (Facebook)”
The above description pretty much sums up my usage of social networking. My purpose in using Facebook is to become more connected with those around me. It allows me to keep up with both old friends and new ones; I can view their photos, as well as share my own with them. I can see what they are doing on a daily basis through their “statuses”. I can share my ideas and opinions with them through “notes” and “blogs” and I can learn more about them through their personal profiles.
What will they come up with next?!
Works Cited
Facebook. February 2004. 10 October 2009.
Postman, Neil. The Humanism of Media Ecology. June 2000. 7 October 2009.
Social Networking, including websites such as “Facebook”, “My Space” and “Twitter”, are all a part of the “media environment” referred to by Neil Postman. These sites are all designed to bring together people who wish to share aspects of their personal lives, make new friends and find old ones, discuss issues, etcetera.
Although Facebook is considered a “social network” I feel that it is more than just that. It allows one to access games, blogs, knowledge communities and many more features; therefore I think that Facebook fits into many categories of “participatory culture”.
“Facebook's mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. Millions of people use Facebook everyday to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, share links and video, and learn more about the people they meet (Facebook)”
The above description pretty much sums up my usage of social networking. My purpose in using Facebook is to become more connected with those around me. It allows me to keep up with both old friends and new ones; I can view their photos, as well as share my own with them. I can see what they are doing on a daily basis through their “statuses”. I can share my ideas and opinions with them through “notes” and “blogs” and I can learn more about them through their personal profiles.
What will they come up with next?!
Works Cited
Facebook. February 2004. 10 October 2009
Postman, Neil. The Humanism of Media Ecology. June 2000. 7 October 2009
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