On the contrary, the value of social media is that previously unknown individuals can lead thousands, even millions, to action whether it's making videos about Diet Coke and Mentos or taking political action. Someone unknown with something interesting to say, and the crucially important skills to promote him or herself, certainly can develop a following by using and participating in social media.But another line caught my eye: "It is because we believe (rightly or wrongly) that social media aggregates the best of individual contributions that we trust the results. "
I would even take it further and say that any kind of information within social media gains disproportionate authority, especially when in a context that others cannot comment or otherwise express their disagreement (or agreement). I'm inclined to believe that humans are hard-wired to accept the veracity of information appearing in public, especially if no-one has questioned the information in the same forum as it appears.
I don't think media in which one can't comment or express an opinion would be considered social media. By definition, social media involves give and take.
Posted by: B.L. Ochman | July 31, 2006 11:50 AM | Permalink to Comment