Blog Post #3
Due to the freedom we have for the post this week, I took the time to really think about what I wanted to write in my post. My first thought was to discuss sports but I wanted to try and discuss a topic that could create more discussion. As most social media users have learned over the last few days, former SNL actor Pete Davidson, and pop star Ariana Grande have called off their engagement. While the speed at which their relationship seemed intense, at the end of the day, shouldn't we be more focused on the wellbeing of each of these individuals who very well may be walking away from the loves of their life? I would think it is safe to say that those of us in this class won't garner as much as attention on social media if and when we find a life partner. These individuals are only a handful of years older than ourselves and are under the microscope of the media every day of their lives. We may never know exactly this relationship didn't work out, and honestly, we as complete strangers to these human beings shouldn't be allowed to know unless Pete or Ariana disclose this information to the general public. I'm not saying I don't invest time and effort into celebrities that I take a personal interest in, but come on let's take into account that they are going through a very difficult time, not to mention the fact that Ariana recently lost someone near and dear to her heart in Mac Miller only a short while ago. We as general public have more of a say as to what we choose to publish online about ourselves, whereas celebrities have a much harder task in controlling what information, whether it be true or false, gets released regarding their personal lives. All it takes is one Tweet or Instagram post containing false information to catch fire and spread untrue stories about these two, because people "want the tea, sis". Like I said, my hands aren't clean in some of this stuff, but I like to take the time every now and then to stop thinking about these people as mere celebrities and think about the personal trauma's they are dealing and how I definitely would not be cool with all this stuff being published about me when all I would want is to be in the comfort of my own home in the company of my friends and family.
Hey Brandon,
ReplyDeleteYour post was really interesting to read! It really made me think about the separation between the digital realm and the physical realm of interactions. I completely agree with your concept that we have to take more responsibility and care in how we interact with people online (even with celebrities) because at the end of the day we're all humans with emotions. Your idea of individuals taking more responsibility for their digital activity is really interesting to me. Why don't we already take more responsibility for our actions and words online, regardless of to a celebrity or not? Is it because we're behind screens, and we feel as though we're not talking to real humans that have real emotions? We all know that this is not the case, yet people continue to post recklessly and without care for others. I honestly don't have all the answers for my questions here, but what I'm getting at is why are these two realms of interaction different, when we all know they can still have the same consequences?
Hi Brandon! I love the angle you took with this blog post as it was something I was thinking about too, but you analyzed it deeper. It is very true that once individuals come by the classification of celebrity, suddenly their business is our right to know and discuss freely. We rarely take a minute to think that these are people's personal lives and I really like how you stated "under the microscope of the media every day of their lives". Cool analysis!
ReplyDeleteHi Brandon!
ReplyDeleteI agree this topic has been a very popular one to discuss recently and has stirred up a lot of controversy regarding why their whirlwind romance came to such a sudden end. I find your view of things interesting as the pressures of having everyones opinions broadcasted as 'public news' can really effect a relationship. Most of us will not have to deal with something of this scale, however, this is not an unlikely situation to find yourself in at one point. With the amount of social media and personal information sharing within those platforms, everyone's personal lives are put on display for society to judge.
Hi Brandon!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really great angle on a topic that has been very popular. I really enjoyed the idea about our private lives becoming public. The stories surrounding Pete Davidson & Ariana Grande is a great example of when that "private" life becomes open to the public eye. For better or for worse that is how it looks like news and celebrity lives are going to be shown as, especially on social media where you said that one or two tweets can start a massive snowball effect of information. How would you react if you were a celebrity who's personal life is basically always in the public eye now due to social media?
Hey Brandon!
ReplyDeleteReally interesting post. This topic that you have chosen is really interesting and allows for much conversation to take place about it. With social media booming and constantly being produced on through a variety of outlets, there is no chance for one to actually be out of the public eye. All that we publish, although may be considered as 'private' is actually available to all and will never be erased from the internet. This is something that is especially an issue for celebrities and the things that may be going on in their lives. With he example of pete Davidson and Ariana Grande that you have mentioned above, it seems quite apparent that nothing in our lives, no matter how personal is private knowledge. Within a matter of hours of these two celebrities break up, most of the world were aware of this as well. It is crazy to me that no matter how hard individuals try to keep their private lives private, it is never really possible.
Hey, great conversation starter. From reading your post and the way you chose to represent the issue it makes me look at socio-technical affordances as negative attributes to technology. Through the fast social media and different technological mediums we own, we have the ability to learn vast details about individuals who aren't exactly wanting to share. Being a fan of Mac Miller, I was truly invested in the drama between him and Grande, and was modified to hear about what happened to him. However, I heard rumors and assumptions on social media about the break up, which were things that were not intentionally shared, however I also was informed about Mac's death this way. So, yes I see social media as a socio-technical affordance that can negative but also as a positive. Social media still seems to bring a positive by allowing individuals to stay connected and informed, however we are never sure as to was is truth, fact or myth.
ReplyDelete