July 5, 2015
Media Dissociation, Internet Use, and Antiwar Political Participation: A Case Study of Political Dissent and Action Against the War in Iraq
“Structural equation modeling revealed that the more the individuals surveyed felt their views differed from mainstream media portrayals, the more motivated they were to use the Internet as an information source and discussion channel.”
“ First, these exchanges could provide information about how to get involved; discussions might mention upcoming protests and events, organize transportation, and discuss strategies (Ayers, 2001). Second, online discussion can lead individuals to identify with a group or movement. Indeed, a number of social movement theorists have concluded that group identity is a key factor predicting activism.” I’ve seen this with our own organized advocates against my company/brand.
The way in which the data is collected for this survey seems odd, but I suppose makes sense. Additionally, the research appears to confirm what we already knew about how like-minded individuals will seek out other like-minded individuals in a society; in this case through the Internet as a medium. The less TV consumption with the more disassociated an individual was is a valid finding. But still sought newspapers? I like the term “echoing press.”
How Internet Communications are affecting (and being affected by) the Spiral of Silence: Possible Implications for Grassroots Campaigns
“According to the spiral of silence theory, people regularly scan the environment around them to see whether their views are inline with the popular opinion and withdraw from public discussion if they feel they are in their minority, or their opinion is losing popularity – thereby, sometimes, speeding up the demise of their position (Katz, 1983).” I feel like this is scene in corporations and why the government has had to create whistleblower protection laws for individuals to come forward when the company they work for is doing something they know it shouldn’t, but are too afraid to be marginalized, or worse, loss of employment.
The approach of finding a specific thread and monitoring its growth potential for the research overall seems somewhat limiting. The author concluded that any type of research or analysis of Spirals of Silence can be challenging to complete or measure.
Social Media and the ‘Spiral of Silence”
Is social or cyber bullying an extreme form of Spiral of Silence? “Be quiet or we’ll make you be quiet.”
Is the research on the Snowden case flawed? If the subject matter pertains to the government surveillance of online channels, wouldn’t those who disagree with the efforts potentially be less likely to engage online, for fear of being watched? Identified later, “In reaction to these additional revelations, people may have adjusted their use of social media and their willingness to discuss a range of topics, including public issues such as government surveillance.”
I’ve encountered this very instance personally, “Thus, it might be the case that people do not want to disclose their minority views for fear of disappointing their friends, getting into fruitless arguments, or losing them entirely.”
The Digital Divide is Not Binary
Hadn’t thought about those who have availability to Internet, but choose not to access it. Is this a comfort level with other media, a complete or little interest in the channel overall, or that they simply choose to be disconnected from the platform?
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This week’s readings on media disassociation, the spiral of silence in online and social media platforms, and the digital divide brought the module’s theories into focus.
In the first research article on the impact of media disassociation and propensity to then engage in an online or social media platform was altogether reaffirming of general observations and anecdotes. “Structural equation modeling revealed that the more the individuals surveyed felt their views differed from mainstream media portrayals, the more motivated they were to use the Internet as an information source and discussion channel.” The research appeared to confirm what we already knew about how like-minded individuals will seek out other like-minded individuals in a society; in this case through the Internet as a medium. The less TV consumption with the more disassociated an individual was is also of note.
For the second article by the PRSA, this part resonated the most, “According to the spiral of silence theory, people regularly scan the environment around them to see whether their views are inline with the popular opinion and withdraw from public discussion if they feel they are in their minority, or their opinion is losing popularity – thereby, sometimes, speeding up the demise of their position (Katz, 1983).” It appears this is a possible scene in corporations and why the government has had to create whistleblower protection laws for individuals to come forward when the company they work for is doing something they know it shouldn’t, but are too afraid to be marginalized, or worse, loss of employment.
In the article for Social Media Spiral of Silence and the research conducted on individuals perceptions on the documents released by Edward Snowden, I found myself initially questioning the inherent subject matter as being a large factor in the research, one that did not go unnoticed by the authors, “In reaction to these additional revelations, people may have adjusted their use of social media and their willingness to discuss a range of topics, including public issues such as government surveillance.” I’ve also personally encountered this various situation in both personal and professional interactions on social networks.
Finally, the article on the digital divide shed light on the consumers’ that have access but either aren’t interested or are unaware of the Internet and the access it provides.
Questions:
MMC6400, Social Media, Spiral of Silence, Web Theory,