The essay by technology reporter for the New York Times, Jenna Wortham, titled, “It’s Not about You, Facebook. It’s about Us” discusses the idea that Facebook has helped shape emotions and now leaves its users emotionless. Although Wortham brings in several sources she does not support these sources with statistics and her personal feelings stand in the way of getting her main points across. In addition, she has a weak conclusion that leaves readers trying to grasp the actual message that Wortham is attempting to convey. Wortham fails to effectively support her thesis that society feels that it can not live without facebook. In her essay, Wortham considers how important Facebook has become to society and how it warps our emotions. She claims, …show more content…
She recalls a disagreement that took place on Facebook between her and a close friend over a few comments placed on her timeline. Wortham describes how she felt embarrassed over the pointless argument. She discloses “I’m the first one to confess my undying love of the Web’s rich culture and community, which is deeply embedded in my life. But that feud with a friend forced me to consider that the lens of the Web might be warping my perspective and damaging some important relationships” (171). Introducing her personal feelings and perspective of how she feels Facebook is taking over her own emotional response online weakens her argument. Wortham reasons that others feel the same as she does. She says, “This has alarmed some people, convincing them that it’s time to pull the plug and forgo the service altogether” (171). Wortham does not bring in other testimonies of those who feel the same as she does, therefore the readers are only introduced to her personal …show more content…
These sources include Sherry Turkle, a professor from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and analyst Andrew Frank from Gartner Research (171,173). While both of these sources are from respectable technology backgrounds, Wortham does not disclose why their work is relevant to her essay. She gives no research results from studies that her sources have completed that supports the idea that Facebook corrupts the emotions of the public. The scarcity of support from her sources fails to reinforce her main points in her
The audience can empathize easily with Sue and the death of her youngest and this allows the audience to understand the usefulness of Facebook “friends”; however, Dailey’s shift to present the other side of the argument with Bugeja’s forward truth of the flaws in online social networks. Bugeja convinces the reader that reality provides a more intimate level of support that the virtual world can never offer. Dailey could have ended the article on a stronger note that Facebook “friends” only serves as an additive to friendships to reality. In reference to Henry Adams infamous quote, Facebook “friends” cannot be made but built from existing
“The Facebook Sonnet,” a poem by Sherman Alexie, deciphers the present day culture’s fascination with social media. Alexie scrutinizes how status updates are altering and molding Facebook user’s day to day lives. He gives his cynical opinion of the website in the form of a sonnet, analyzing how Facebook is lengthening the immaturity of youth by concerning its users with opportunities to portrays one’s life as more fulfilling that it is in reality. “The Facebook Sonnet” describes twenty-first century culture in its most negative light by painting a picture of a self-centered society through Alexie’s use of satirical tone, irony, and sonnet structure.
It is a commonly known fact that once someone is on Facebook, they are usually hooked for a good amount of time before they have realized how much time they have been on it! The reason for that occurring is due to the interactiveness of these social media platforms and the doors that they open to new information with every like, share, and post. Facebook is a great example because of the never-ending bank of ideas that it provides from other users for other users, and this trend does not stop as every link opened leads to five more links with potential for new encounters and new experiences. This line of thought is echoed by critic of Sunstein, Henry Jenkins in saying, “New ideas and alternative perspectives are more likely to emerge in the digital environment…” (26). Social media is the epicenter of new ideas in our world today because it does not have any filter, and people are allowed to speak their minds as if everyone is listening, because in fact, everyone could listen. In addition, it is important to note that these new encounters are happening more rapidly than ever thought imaginable. The appeal of interactiveness combined with the accessibility of these outlets at the
In “Is Facebook making us lonely” Marche speaks about Facebook coming at a time where Loneliness was at its peak. He argues that the popularity of Facebook came because it promised a connection that people longed for during the period of peak loneliness. Facebook in his eyes is seen as an outlet for the lonely. The popular social media site helps those who are alone cope because they feel as if Facebook connects them to the world and their “real friends”. While “Love in the age of Like” may contrast those views it does not make any of Marche’s claims inferior or untrue. Ansari simply just offers a different view on the effects of social media and technology overall. Rather than argue on the side of isolation Ansari believes that technology provides a real connection that has never before been offered to society before. In my belief Ansari’s stance holds more weight and is more relatable. Marche’s stance also argues that Facebook does indeed connect us, which is its job. His article and research proves exactly what Ansari is trying to convey to the readers of his own article. One thing that both have taught me through these readings is that Technology can be a double edged sword, it all depends on who is behind the keyboard and also the users intentions. Each author has also taught me that regardless of your opinion the effect of technology on today’s society cannot be denied. The day and age we
In the article “Is Facebook Making Us Lonely”, Stephen Marche calls to question the impact that Facebook, other social networks, and technology as a whole, has on society. The article begins with a startling anecdote about the once beloved actor and Playboy playmate Yvette Vickers. Despite her major contributions to the film and entertainment industry, Yvette Vickers’ life still came to an isolated and lonely end; her rotting body was found by a neighbor in her home nearly a year after she died. In her final years of life, Yvette Vickers became withdrawn from her close friends and family, and turned to “distant fans who found her through fan conventions and Internet sites (Marche 2).” This story accurately exemplifies the main idea Marche is trying to convey which is that technology is making human connections more plentiful whilst also making them more shallow and superficial. Vickers may have had a mass of online communication each day, however, none of these connections were close or meaningful. No one cared enough to check up on her when she stopped responding. Marche implies that more close and meaningful connections could have potentially resulted in a more timely discovery of Vickers’ body.
However, as far as I am concerned, the above authors fail to mention the positive effects Facebook has on our lives. Facebook is also very useful. It enables us to keep in touch with friends and family all around the world. A modern journalist, Adam Piore in his article, “What Technology Can’t Change About Happiness,” also argues that “The overall effect of technology is to overcome the constraints of time and location that would have proven insurmountable before” (Piore 9). Piore’s purpose here is to tell people that technology can be a good thing as well. I also believe the same: with the video call function, we are able to see each other’s face and talk with ease. If some people are not familiar with video call, they can even voice message others, making communication easier while reducing the hassle of typing. No doubt, Facebook has greatly changed our lives with both positive and negative effects. And I also believe that it is when we find the balance between technology and relationships can we enhance our happiness level and relationship with people. That is, we need to go out and have face-to-face conversations with people while using technology to help us keep connection with
Through the use of his own experience, Rodriguez proves how harmful facebook is when he is reminded of people that he wanted to forget about. Lowry uses the words of a student, who is directly affected by the situation, to explain how facebook is more bad than good. The student outlines the fact that people have to create lies to fit in with their friends. Consequently by doing this, people are creating fake identities to hide their real self. ICMPA disapproves the critics of facebook being harmful when they bring up the dependability factor which comes from using the social media outlet. ICMPA showed how addicting facebook really was when they proved that people weren’t able to function the same without it. By using facebook, people are lying to themselves and others and feeling nostalgic, not to mention getting addicted to it. No matter what way one looks at facebook, it can only be seen to be harmful. At the rate that social media is controlling people, it’s only a matter of time before people stop interacting with each other in person and do it through social media outlets like
“The Facebook Sonnet” by Sherman Alexie brings up ideas and controversy over social media because it decreases face-to-face communication. Though Facebook allows people to contact old and new friends, it renders away from the traditional social interaction. Online, people are easily connected by one simple click. From liking one’s status to posting multiple pictures, Facebook demands so much attention that it’s easy for users to get attach. They get caught up in all the online aspect of their lives that they fail to appreciate real life relationships and experiences. Within Alexie’s diction and tone, “The Facebook Sonnet” belittles the social media website by showing how society are either focused on their image or stuck in the past to even live in the present.
...probably thinks that Facebook is being used more frequently by people to occupy themselves, give false impressions of their lives, and even to attempt to create a relationship with God. Alexie’s main reason for writing this poem was to show people that social media in general – not just Facebook – can really bring out the ignorance in people. Specifically, people need to spend more time being physically together rather than virtually connecting via Facebook. Social media has diminished the importance of face-to-face conversation and the pleasure of having someone physically at-side. Sherman Alexie’s “The Facebook Sonnet” reiterates that there needs to be a balance between social networking and reality. People should relish their own time and existence, making memories with those they love and who can support them in such a way that social media will never be capable.
Facebook and other internet applications and technologies affect many young kids and young adults every day. From seeing pictures of famous people looking flawless, to mean comments shared between “friends” on social networking sites, a person’s psyche can be messed with. The last decade has been turning over milestones in the field of technology. New 3D TV’s for ones entertainment have been introduced to the public recently, along with multiple new handheld devices, such as new editions of the Apple iPhone, iPad, and Mac computer. Other milestones have been hit as well through new ways in which people can get in touch with each other, educate themselves on the internet, and create new creative outlets through music and blogs. Schools are even investing in greater technological advances for their students, to give them ...
Hu, Elise. "Facebook Makes Us Sadder And Less Satisfied, Study Finds." NPR. NPR, 20 Aug. 2013. Web. 7 Apr. 2014.
and family, and also “meet like-minded people” ( Metz, par. 1). In some cases, business people such as Ron West, claim that he uses Facebook “to become acquainted with new customers”( par. 8). Yes, these types of websites are great tools to stay in touch with old classmatesand faraway family members. It is a great source of communication, but there is always a con to every pro. Even though users are connecting with others, users of social networks never know exact...
As a social species, which depends on human interaction and body language, Facebook is no substitute for what we need. This new social media, that was designed to connect people, ironically has the effect of making us feel more socially isolated, depressed, envious and dissatisfied with our lives, writes Shristhi Ranjith.
“Can Facebook make us feel better?” Justin Mullins tries to prove in his article “Can Facebook Make You Sad?” which was published in The New York Times in February 6, 2014 that facebook doesn’t make us feel any better. Mullins clarifies in his article that facebook make us sad and every time we log on facebook we start to feel sad. He used evidences, statistics, and researches to prove his point of view. Although there’re some agreeable ideas in his article that must be agreed on, however there’re some ideas must be examined carefully.
Marche, Stephen. “Is Facebook Making us Lonely? (Cover story)”: 8 (10727825) 309.4 (2012): 68. Academic Search Premier. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.