Thursday 28 February 2013

The Path of Least Resistance: Social Media and Relationships

The Path, Photo of myself (2011)
Energy takes the path of least resistance; it's the law of physics.  As I explore the complexities of how and why humans are utilizing technology, I can't help but wonder, are humans using social media as the path of least resistance?  Sacks and Graves (2012) point out all too clearly that "the use of social media lends itself well to many of the impression management techniques...such as personal branding (p. 80) which provides individuals with a quick and simple tool to pick and choose the best images that create immediate impressions on those that view the tailored profile.  Immediate consideration of this opportunity sounds incredible.  Within minutes, anyone can create custom tailored profile suitable for any image an individual wishes to portray.  Are we concerned at all about perfectionism, vanity or narcissism when creating the self-brand? How many imperfect Avatars are being created or profiles that include pictures of our bad hair, wrinkles, or when we're feeling unfit?                    

The amount of time needed to create a real life image requires repetitive physical/social interaction, sensory acquisition, emotional engagement and is dependent upon a continual impression based on how you and the other individual/s behave.  Pollet, Roberts, and Dunbar (2011) explain it perfectly when they state, "Time is a crucial constraint shaping primate sociality, and recent diary studies...have shown that time spent using a computer does negatively affect time spent interacting... (p. 256). Social networking sites, online messaging, texting, emailing, are all ways to create a highly efficient forum for interacting, creating an impression, building a reputation that doesn't require the confidence of face-to-face verbal conversation but may give the impression of confidence.  And what about the idea of building character?  Are we no longer concerned about real life human integrity?  How do we create that in a matter of hours or days? Can we trust the images we are being provided with?  

Relationships are being formed online via new virtual societies and Brown (2011) indicates that "we will see an increasing transition from basic matchmaking sites to sites that enable people to actually go out on online dates" (p. 30).  It seems even love is happening with less effort and takes the saying, "falling effortlessly in love" to a whole new dimension.  Have we forgotten the saying, "if it wasn't difficult, it wouldn't be worth it?"  I can't help but wonder if we're short changing the journey for the end results, and feeling less satiated because of it.

I love what technology has enabled us to accomplish, "bringing people together who would not otherwise be in the same place for business meetings, financial planning, meal sharing" (Brown, A., 2012, p.34) online education, and perhaps we are enabled to express ourselves with less restraint because of the space, time, and consideration writing provides us with; "greater self-disclosure and thus for communication to become unusually intimate and hyper-personal, leading to stronger relationships" (Pollet et al., 2011, p. 257).  I also love making an effort, being brave, trying new things, facing my insecurities, stepping out of my comfort zones and if there is a balance to be achieved between online and offline relationships it will need the acknowledgement of the masses. Mutual agreement and understanding in what habits/behaviours are acceptable need to be met.  If there are those who wish to live and build relationships in the virtual world, will they influence the potential for others who wish to live and build relationships in the real world? Are they willing to forgo the path of least resistance?



References: 

Brown, A. (2011). Relationships, community, and identity in the new virtual society. The Futurist, 45(2), 29-34. Retrieved from:http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/58079646/relationships-community-identity-new-virtual-society
 Pollet, T. V., Roberts, S. G. B., &  Dunbar, R. I. M. (2011). Use of social network sites and instant messaging does not lead to increased offline social network size, or to emotionally closer relationships with offline network members. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14(4), 253-258. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2010.0161
Sacks, M., & Graves, N. (2012). How many "friends" do you need? Teaching students how to network using social media. Business Communication Quarterly, 75(1), 80-88.

1 comment:

  1. Your post underlines the importance of teaching digital literacies to our children. As you say, “Within minutes, anyone can create a custom tailored profile suitable for any image an individual wishes to portray.” Being able to use digital tools in a powerful, thoughtful, honourable way is a critical skill for the future. And I am not talking about being able to manipulate technology. I am speaking about using technology tools for creation of ideas, and yes, profiles. It will give incredible power to those who have the ideas and skills for presentation.
    The days of reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmetic are gone. If humans are using social media as the path of least resistance, is it because they are not digitally literate?

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