Social Media, Technology, and Economic Divisions in Contemporary American Society
Overview
This assignment analyzes perspectives from multiple authors on technology's role in society. It examines Blanda's views on social media authenticity, Boyd's argument about economic segregation and democratic infrastructure, and Vance's personal experience balancing work and education, highlighting tensions between social connectivity and systemic divisions.
What this coursework covers
- Blanda's perspective on authentic social media communication and peer-approved information sharing
- Boyd's analysis of economic segregation in the U.S. and need for social infrastructure
- Vance's personal narrative on work-life balance and prioritizing education
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Assignment 7
Student's Name
Institutional Affiliation
Assignment 7
Blanda
- Blanda loves to play the "Controversial Opinion" game, which involves asking questions about the feelings of other people.
- Blanda has authored the hacking PR: "A Guide for Boot-Strapped Startups (2013). She is also the founder of Technology Company located in Philadelphia that connects companies and people through services, events, and news, thereby growing the local technology in Philadelphia.
- Blanda ridicules the "holier-than-thou" behavior in social media, which has been counterproductive. On page 215, Blanda explains that people should utilize Facebook and Twitter to share information that will be approved by peers.
Boyd
- Boyd explains that the United States is still a segregated economy, although diverse, which has had significant positive effects on American politics.
- Although the impacts of technology were earlier thought to be bringing people together, currently, people have used technology widely to undermine social solidarity and cause divisions. On page 221, Boyd explains that the U.S. can function well as a healthy democracy if effective ways of diversifying social connections are found.
- Boyd, on page 228, further expresses that the United States should primarily focus on constructing newer infrastructures for connecting people who come across divisions. Such social infrastructures are needed more than the country requires roads and bridges.
Vance
- Vance expresses the idea that in many instances, people, after graduating, leave their undeveloped cities and find new homes with work opportunities and education where they ultimately stay.
- Vance was over-occupied with jobs.