How Social Media Has Impacted Our Culture? - Essay Sample

Introduction

The article published by Josh Rose aimed to reflect on the impact of social media on our culture. The story began when he got a message from his ten-year-old boy saying that he would be going to a birthday party. As written, Rose grew up in two houses similar to his boy. He never got time to go home and spend time with his son. Having seen this, Rose decided to give his son the old iPhone 3G so that he could keep in touch through an app known as 'Yak.' According to him, it was better to listen to someone via a social media tool instead of having empty promises that they would go back home and it won't happen. He also felt good to hear what his son took for breakfast and thought that it was better than that parent who does not care. Having said this, the purpose of this essay is to elaborate the message Rose wants to share to every internet user concerning the advancement of technology.

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The purpose of the author is to find answers as to whether the advancement of technology can satisfy our emotional part. " The amount of calming satisfaction that the internet gives someone when communicating is undeniable human and palpable." (Rose n.p). In other words, Rose wanted to tell the internet users that despite the fact the internet has come with its way of operating, when used smartly it can be beneficial even though it does not fill the emotional gap. He also added that whenever he talked to his son, every word was listened to keenly. Rose felt that listening to words that had no pictures were better than waiting for a few days to meet the person. This is because the mundane moment would have gone. Rose also got more conviction when he read how microblogs found the abducted kids. The version which used Twitter managed to track their whereabouts. However, what puzzles him is how he felt after having seen the tears of the father and children, and yet they are not near each other to hug.

'The paradox of the online closeness' as elaborated made Rose question his friends in Facebook, Foursquare, and Twitter whether they felt close to people who are far away from them but through the use of technology. Here, Rose knew very well that not only does he lack time to meet his son but also his friends. The way Rose presents this article makes the audience to think twice about the situation. For instance, Jason his friend upon seeing the question answered "Closer to those that are far," (Rose n.p). While this is true, another way, the author tried to show people is that the use of the internet has two effects; it brings you closer and yet takes you far away. This is the same feeling Jason realized after he had responded to Rose's question. While this statement is confusing, it is the whole truth. People live in a paradox world, but because technology has significantly advanced, the fact is conflicted side-by-side. In life, everyone knows that advanced technology has become part of life and as much as people reject, the reality is that it is here to stay. Rose uses many examples to simplify his message. One example is the New York magazine. 'How the Internet Gets into us' was one way the author wanted to exemplify to the audience. He even breaks down into three categories and subjects through the three viewpoints; 'Ever-Wasers, Better-Nevers and the Never-Betters,' (Rose n.p). In other words, the audience may either view it as usual, good or bad but depending on how someone understands or sees the truth.

Another view the author wanted the audience to realize is how today's restaurants are designed. Even though many viewers may be in denial mode, he used the example of peer-to-peer networking and how it is disturbed to form one network. An excellent example to support his facts on how social media and the internet has penetrated people. The case of the four customers and how they were looking at the screens while still reading the newspaper was just to prove that, while the papers came first, social media remains an attention grabber. Even the author himself could not resist multitasking looking at his phone, and the TV without even staring outside the window. Therefore, the message is too loud to the audience that the internet does not steal humanity, but reflects on it (Rose n.p). It is also a fact that the internet has become the atom behind the culture of the media and has interviewed the cultural and familial bonds. The purpose of this message to the audience is that people have to accept the fact that internet is the future and even though some may reject, it will still catch up with them. Rose also assured the audience that "The machine is not designed to control people, but a tool to be used," (Rose n.p). In short, the audience should note that even though technology looks like a sharpened stick, it comes with instructions on how it will be used.

Works Cited

Rose, Josh. "How Social Media Is Having a Positive Impact On Our Culture [OPINION]." Mashable, Mashable, 23 Feb. 2011, mashable.com/2011/02/23/social-media-culture/#sOaIpNYBzgqF.