2. What does it mean to think critically?
Critical questions, criticize the work of our
academic colleagues
“Thinking critically about society and the media is
concerned with creating structures of society
and the media where everyone can benefit”
When consuming political social media, we must
remember to think critically and not just accept
all that we read.
Thus it is essential to take into considerations
both the pros and the cons of social media
platforms.
4. Pros
Direct Contact with voters without paid advertising or really spending money at
all (through facebook, twitter, instagram, etc.)
YouTube ads- journalists often write about those ads, which is even more publicity for no cost
Allows people with like-minded ideas to share news and events with each other
Can make certain events or news viral and bring huge amounts of attention to different issues
Politicians can customize their messages to the different types of people
following them on social media
Engages young voters
Raising money through social media campaigns
5. Cons
The evolution of technology in elections:
(1920s) Radio disembodied candidates, reducing them to voices; simultaneously, campaigns
became more intimate and reached more people
(1960s) Television: “image became everything, as the line between politician and celebrity
blurred”
“Facebook Election of 2008”
Marco Rubio broadcasts “Snapchat Stories,” Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush debate student debt
over Twitter, Bernie Sanders attracts nearly two million likers on Facebook, Trump uses
Twitter not to inform but to provoke
“Our political discourse is shrinking to fit our smartphone screens.”
6. Cons
“You’re only as relevant as your last tweet.”
“Clinton’s predicament is a particularly painful one. She spent year filing the
burrs off her personality, only to find that rough edges are in.”
Changes what the country wants/expects from its potential leaders: emphasis
on personality
Emotions > logic
“It’s the crusty Bernie and the caustic Donald that get hearted and hash-tagged,
friended and followed.”
7. Compared to an example from the HW reading:
“Social Media and the Arab Spring”
Facebook page made during the
Egyptian Revolution
Spread ideas far without retaliation
Many can contribute to the content;
merging opinions
Liberates society (everyone can
contribute; democratic)
In contrast, Twitter/Facebook cannot
bring a revolution
Has no real political impact: an
illusion of democracy
9. What do you think?
Does social media benefit or harm serious politics,
movements, and campaigns in America?
10. Works Cited
Tom Murse (About News), “How Social Media Has Changed Politics”
http://uspolitics.about.com/od/CampaignsElections/tp/How-Social-Media-Has-
Changed-Politics.htm
Nicholas Carr (Politico Magazine), “How Social Media Is Ruining Politics”
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/09/2016-election-social-media-
ruining-politics-213104
