Chapter 10: Joining the Conversation: Primary Sources, Secondary Sources, and You
Scholarly Articles
Our current thesis is far larger and more complex than the previous example, so, for the purposes of clarity and manageability, let’s first break each storey down individually:
Example
FIRST STOREY: Occupy Wall Street’s Facebook group page showcases some flaws as users of the space have a difficult time breaking away from their own “villages” in order to link those global events to their local concerns. This is demonstrated by the comment field under the post “From #Ferguson to #Gaza #BLM,” wherein discussion of the event turns to users calling each other names like “idiots” and wondering aloud about the two topics are related (ex. The post “What the hell does BLM have to do with geopolitics in the Middle East?”) rather than discussing the event promoted.
Concept 1: Occupy Wall Street AND Facebook
Concept 2: Facebook AND villages
Concept 3: Facebook AND local problems
Concept 4: Online Activism OR Social Movements
Concept 5: Online Activism AND Miscommunication
Example
SECOND STOREY: Such interaction in this space demonstrates that while Facebook groups do provide a useful tool for distributing information and bringing large tribes together, users often struggle to attach that awareness to action or viewpoints beyond local/personal concerns or interests; instead of users speaking to each other in an attempt to foster stronger global connections and consciousness, users often end up posting their own disconnected content without the necessary conversation around the complex topics posted.
Concept 1: Facebook groups AND global connections
Concept 2: Social Media AND Social Movements AND Debate
Concept 3: Social Media AND local AND global
Concept 4: Social Media AND Protest AND Organization
Example
THIRD STOREY: The Occupy Wall Street Facebook page’s tendency to strengthen local connections while weakening links to larger social and political contexts acts as an indicator that despite the increased reach of an online community, insularity among its users is likely to affect its ability to influence governmental policy and provide a base for civilian power. Users who wish to turn the Internet into an effective tool designed to provide a counterpoint to corrupt, dictatorial, or simply misguided governments will need to address this insularity and attempt to ensure that the broad reach of the social-media platform does not replace the broadness in scope of the movement itself.
Concept 1: Facebook OR Social Media AND Civilian Power
Concept 2: Facebook OR Social Media AND Protest
Concept 3: Occupy Wall Street AND Fail*
Concept 4: Social Media AND insularity AND online community
Concept 5: Social Media AND Social Activism AND
