Fracking the Media: Does shrinking and therefore dividing news sources sabotage our common understanding of reality and impede compromise? Might this spell the end of democracy?
Writer’s Note: Today’s essay is a continuation somewhat of yesterday’s topic, “Are Twitter and Facebook Flaming Out?” which can be read HERE.
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A thought-provoking essay appeared today online, “Why Twitter’s Dying (And What You Can Learn From It),” authored by Umair Haque. I urge everyone to read it. If accurate (and I believe it is), the future doesn’t portend very well for traditional social media outlets, particularly the two most popular platforms in the United States — Twitter and Facebook.
In his essay, Haque describes Twitter as what was once the embodiment of a Utopian promise, that an instantly-accessible open global town square would become the centrifuge for creative thoughts and new ideas which could be freely expressed, without censorship nor commercial viability. Posts could be compressed into a single, easily-digestible cliffnote of just 140 characters, be blasted out, and then receive instant feedback. Presumably, one’s own devoted army of followers serve both as a sounding board and a filter to the vast greater universe beyond. Post something truly profound, and it just might get re-tweeted into the thousands.
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Sometimes the most powerful voice comes from where you’d least expect it.
Certainly not from a 14-year-old Pakistani girl, named Malala Yousazai.
Now age 17, the little girl known to creeds and colors all over the world simply as “Malala” has grown up some, her maturity taking place very much in front of the camera as tens and perhaps even hundreds of millions of people — young and old, male and female, Muslim and non-Muslim — have watched with intrigue and admiration. She’s become a global champion of human rights and a public advocate for female education, particularly in countries and societies where such virtues not only aren’t guaranteed but even risk personal endangerment.
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I fully support….am working on behalf of….have contributed to….and will vote for Sen. Bernie Sanders once the Nevada Caucus comes to my home state next February.
I am mistrustful of….deeply concerned about….suspicious towards….and have far less enthusiasm for Sec. Hillary Clinton. Assuming she eventually becomes the Democratic Party nominee, she will have some serious work to do in order to win my favor and thus earn my vote.
All that said, Hillary Clinton won tonight’s Democratic Presidential debate.
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Imagine a world where….
— Everyone is religious. All your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and associates are devout Christians. Almost everyone who lives in your town or city attends church regularly. The local church is the centerpiece of all social life and activities.
— Christianity rules. Christianity isn’t a secular concept, but rather is looked to as the supreme authority. Religion dictates all national laws and local regulations. Christian teachings outlaw homosexuality and deny gender equality. Religious teachings forbid reproductive rights, including contraception and abortion which are outlawed. Marriages are sometimes arranged and divorce is next to impossible, especially if instigated by a woman.
— Science is doubted and discredited. Science and discovery are looked upon with suspicion. When new discoveries are made, they are ridiculed. Advances in astronomy, biology, and medicine are considered blasphemous because they pose a serious threat to the natural order and traditional way of thinking.
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