Social Media and Society: The Vehicles and the Drivers

The universe is now interconnected through social media.  Since the era of mIRC, Friendster, Multiply, Myspaces, Blogspot, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, to the uninvent-next-generation-of-social-media, people have more chances to broaden their network virtually.  Social media creates digitally connected society, and even more initiates unbound conversations.

The Networked Nonprofit by Beth Kanter and Allison H. Fine states that social media is vehicles for conversation. It is the agent of changes, as the drivers, who should drive the vehicles into right directions or the other way. The high way, the engines, and the horn equip the vehicles to run into the final destination, which in this case is social change.
 
Accessibility for social media is widely available. Internet revolution brings people into unified world. Moreover, technology advancements such as notebooks, mobile phones, or iPads provide the infrastructures to utilize the internet. People can share stories or even report events right on the spot. The #EarthHour is happening when people from all over the world shared pictures of their surrounding during the switching-off moments. People not only became viewers, but also actively participated in the cause of protecting the planet.

In addition, social media is echoing information further and for wider range. In my home country, Indonesia, who is the top five of twitter citizen, the social media once made a huge impact on society. It was ‘Coins for Justice’ and #FreePrita in 2009. Prita Mulyasari was prosecuted for writing a complaint email (and unintentionally sent to a mailing list) regarding a bad hospital service. She was found guilty for accusing the hospital by a High Court, and was ordered to pay a fine to the hospital. Then, Indonesian netizens initiated to collect the sum of the fine in form of coins because they are outraged by the court decision and they hope the coins will overwhelm the hospital. The cause attracted national-wide attention and became headlines in both electronic and mass media. This cause has reverberated the issue of freedom of expression and protection of consumer's right on the society at large.

Causes spread viral, when friends of friends are supporting things on the behalf of someone without directly being asked to do so. Social media transforms a ‘voice’ into a parade of passionate supporters for social movement through a simple ‘click’. The idea of connecting (or reconnecting) people on social media also meets the anthropological background of individual, which is a social being. Inevitably, social media is a promising media in influencing people to create social changes. *

This writing is written in order to join The Digitally Connected Students fellowship on 

the Social Good Summit 2012 by The UN Foundation. 

*picture courtesy of http://www.wizmarketings.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Austin-Social-Media-company.jpg

Maintaining the Momentum: Delivering Solutions for Girls and Women.

1:27 - 1:45 PM. Maintaining the Momentum: Delivering Solutions for Girls and Women.

Maintaning the Momentum: Delivering Solutions for Girls and Women. Women engaged in poverty reduction, but women mostly were victims of poverty. While, women play roles in educating children that they have.

There is $2,6 billion, money spends on women health. Not only about the money, but also legitimizing family planning and contraception. Politics is also involved, and sometimes put the issue behind. Leaders should take action on it. For instance, President of Malawi educate young about making choices.

Technology breaks the barriers that politics put. Technology is a powerful tools, but need people behind it. Social media speaks the voice of the voiceless. Connected with the MDG #5, people at large should be recognizing that there are people who are dying due to health issues, esp. women. It's time for technology and human help solving the issues.

The World in 2015: MDGs.

1:07 - 1:25 PM.

It's the second session on the Social Good Summit 2012. Pete Cashmere, Helen Clark, Kathy Calvin.

MDGs are here to improve human's life. - HC
We need everybody to be involved in creating a better world. - KD
Incredible roles of social media and ICTs in supporting development. - KD
Citizen journalism. - PC
Social media brings ideas and problem solving. - KD
UNDP invites citizen of the world to interact through social media and contributing their ideas on what should be after 2015. - HC
More engagements from all of sectors to get involved after 2015. - KD

The Social Good Summit 2012 (Day 1) #SGSGlobal

Morning!

It's an exciting day. I've been selected as a Digitally Connected Student Fellowship for the Social Good Summit 2012 by the United Nation Foundation. So, I am attending three day summit for free and even get paid. Cool! Alhamdulillah.

It is here in the 92Y Lexington Avenue, NYC. Scholars, students, bloggers, journalists, start-ups, and all social media enthusiasts is joining a global conversation on how social media (should)  support human development.  It's a three day events with a cramped schedule!

I met the lecture of New Media and Development Communication class (where I am in this semester), Anne Nelson. We had a little conversation while enjoying a bagel and a cup of coffee, talking on how media should provide people access into a better life. He picked an example on The Years of Living Dangerously where a radio could be a powerful tool to spread information and educate society. However, she said that the Good Summit 2011 was great!

Now, I am typing this post while sitting next to an International Politics student/journalist from Georgetown University, a Healtyreads.com start up founder from Canada, a Women Tech person, and another Georgetown student who originally come from Indonesia, Rio. I still have no idea what I will get from this event though, but it is a nice networking 'site'.

Ohya, based on the schedule, HE Ambassador of Indonesia to the US, Bapak Dino Patti Djalal, is also attending the event speaking on "How Digital is Redefining Diplomacy".  Can't hardly wait!
 

It's cold morning. I guess I need to grab another cup of hot coffee! Blog to you later!

This Friday!

 Today, it was the first time for me to take Jumaah prayer at the Earl Hall as last time, (the jamaah and) I had the prayer at the Interchurch at the 122nd Street. I was waiting in the Muslim Student Association prayer room at the 1st floor, when Omar, a new friend, was coming. Omar, a Palestinian (but recides in Jordan), is a Freshman of Columbia College. While waiting for other jamaah, we chatted about Palestine.

Omar said the situation is more condusive lately, but some problems still exist. Trade barrier and border access count as main problems. The trade barrier makes the economic growth lag behind, and the border access makes people difficult to look for opportunity out there. Omar is lucky as was born in the US and hold a US passport so he easily go back and forth. But his family must wait for 3 months for a visa.

After ten minutes waiting, I initiated to check the MSA's Facebook, in case the post a new announcement about the shalah. However, there is no new announcement. Thankfully, there was a man who were going to take a wudhu (ablution), so we asked him about the place. In fact the Jumaah prayer was in hall at the third floor. Then we went upstairs.

The theme of khutbah for friday prayer this week is Remembering Allah swt after Ramadhan as it's almost one month after Ramadhan ends. The khatib 'asked', "Do you remember how does it feel when you take your ifthar? Do you still thank Allah when you eat your dinner?"

The question shocked me. I realize that recently each time I eat, I never really thankful to Allah anymore. I do pray before I eat, but it is not as khusyu as it was during Ramadhan.

How about you?



photo courtesy of http://www.bookcentre.co.uk/3-7-years/1075-allah-gives-us-food.html

How is The Web 2.0 Using Us?

Spending time with uber-cool people today. A new media enthusiast, a PhD student on climate change, & an MDP senior interning in Rwanda. New Media in Development class by Anne Nelson today is digesting the youtube "Web 2.0 is us/ing us" by Mike Wesch, an anthropologist.

Web 2.0 is not only sharing info, but also linking people. People sharing, collaborating, trading. My classmates are mostly journalist, and I introduced myself as an ex journalist who got his karma and end up as a government agent. Chinese students (who are also journalists) brought up the issues on "made in china" media. Chinese google, chinese facebook.

One of the fun facts on the New Media class: in Kenya and Uganda (CMIIW), people use cell phone for mobile banking rather than calling. So, do you think all African country are underdeveloped?