Social Media Does NOT Corrupt Human Interactions | Laalithya Vadlamani | Part 2 of 6

Summary

The video script discusses the impact of social media on society, arguing against the notion that it corrupts human interaction. It highlights social media's role in empowering individuals, fostering global connectivity, and enabling social change. Examples include organizing the Women's March and supporting marginalized communities, demonstrating social media's potential for positive engagement and relationship enhancement.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Social media is a counterweight to the devaluation of human lives, offering a platform for connection beyond offline constraints.
• 🔗 Online and offline worlds are integrated, allowing people to escape limitations of their offline lives through online interactions.
• 👥 Social media enables people to maintain relationships despite physical distance, such as with family or friends abroad.
• 📢 It provides a platform for those whose voices are suppressed in conventional media, allowing them to share their stories and experiences.
• 👵 The elderly can combat isolation through social media, staying connected with family and accessing online communities.
• 🌟 Social media has become an integral part of daily life, with billions of active users across various platforms.
• 🎭 The portrayal of an aesthetic lifestyle on platforms like Instagram has increased their popularity, with users employing scenes and filters to share cherished moments.
• 💪 Social media can be a force for good, empowering individuals and communities to instigate social change, as evidenced by the Women's March organization.
• 🚨 It helps to break social stigmas and supports movements like Black Lives Matter by providing tools for awareness and organization.
• 💼 Social media is a powerful tool for businesswomen and minority groups, offering networking opportunities that may not be available offline.
• 📰 Social media is one of the fastest ways to stay informed, often reporting events before traditional news outlets can arrive on the scene.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented against the notion that social media corrupts human interactions?

The main argument is that social media does not corrupt human interactions but rather enhances and translates them into a more effective form, allowing for the organization of social movements and maintaining connections among people who might otherwise be isolated.

How does social media contribute to the empowerment of marginalized communities?

Social media provides marginalized communities with a platform to organize, communicate, and share their experiences, thus highlighting issues that affect them and fostering a sense of collective consciousness and solidarity.

What role did social media play in the organization of the Women's March following the 2016 U.S. election?

Social media played a crucial role in organizing the Women's March by allowing a retired lawyer to set up a Facebook event that quickly gained traction, leading to peaceful protests in Washington and around the world, with an estimated 4.8 million participants.

How does social media help to break social stigmas, as illustrated in the script?

Social media helps to break social stigmas by providing a platform for campaigns like 'Sticks and Stone' in Spain, which uses Twitter to reduce stigma surrounding mental health and learning disabilities, and by creating apps that support movements like Black Lives Matter.

What is the significance of social media for businesswomen, particularly in minority groups?

Social media is significant for businesswomen as it offers networking opportunities that may not be readily available offline, especially for women in minority groups, by connecting them through platforms that are often dominated by women and providing resources to grow their businesses.

How does social media facilitate the maintenance of relationships for people who are geographically distant?

Social media allows people who are far apart, such as family members or friends, to stay in close contact, share updates, and maintain a sense of closeness despite physical distance, as exemplified by the speaker's grandmother who uses her iPad and smartphone to keep in touch with her family around the globe.

What is the fastest growing demographic on social media sites, and why do they report feeling happier?

The fastest growing demographic on social media sites is the 74-plus age group. Seniors report feeling happier due to the online contact with family and friends, which helps combat isolation and provides access to information that has moved online.

How does social media enable the expression of appreciation and respect for people we might not interact with in real life?

Social media enables the expression of appreciation and respect through features like likes, wows, or loves on statuses, allowing users to acknowledge and connect with others in a way that might not be possible in face-to-face interactions.

What is the 'Mark Yourself Unsafe' app, and how does it serve the Black Lives Matter movement?

The 'Mark Yourself Unsafe' app is a web application that allows black social media users to symbolically mark themselves as unsafe in certain locations across the United States, highlighting the threats faced by the black community and raising awareness about the safety issues they encounter.

How does the script suggest that social media has changed the way we interact, and is this change necessarily negative?

The script suggests that social media has indeed changed the way we interact by providing new forms of communication and connection. However, it argues that this change is not necessarily negative, as it has allowed for the enhancement of existing relationships and the formation of new ones that might not have been possible otherwise.

What is the potential of social media as a vehicle for social change, according to the script?

According to the script, social media has the potential to be an incredibly pivotal vehicle for social change by organizing actions, spreading awareness rapidly, and connecting people across the globe, especially for marginalized communities.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Social Media's Role in Human Connectivity

The first paragraph delves into the transformative impact of social media on human interaction and its potential to counteract the devaluation of human lives often seen in modern society. It argues that social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are not merely virtual spaces but are deeply integrated into our daily lives, enabling us to maintain connections with family and friends across the globe, share our interests, and even participate in social movements. The speaker uses the example of the Women's March to illustrate how social media can mobilize collective action and empower marginalized communities.

05:03

💪 Social Media as a Catalyst for Social Change

The second paragraph emphasizes social media's capacity to instigate social change and challenge societal norms. It provides examples such as the Women's March, which was organized largely through social media, and campaigns that use platforms like Twitter to combat stigmas around mental health. The paragraph also discusses how social media has been instrumental in empowering businesswomen and minority groups, and how it allows seniors to stay connected with their families, thus enhancing their well-being. The narrative suggests that social media is not a corrupting force but rather a tool that can be used for positive social engagement and support.

10:03

🌟 The Positive Impact of Social Media on Interactions

The third paragraph refutes the notion that social media corrupts human interactions. It argues that social media does not replace face-to-face communication but rather supplements and enhances it, allowing for the formation of new connections and the strengthening of existing ones. The speaker highlights the collective consciousness and the organizing power of social media, as evidenced by the Women's March, and suggests that these platforms are particularly significant for marginalized communities. The paragraph concludes by asserting that social media is a force for positive change and a means of fostering love and solidarity in an increasingly connected world.

Keywords

💡Treasure

The term 'treasure' in the context of the video script refers to something highly valued or precious. It's used metaphorically to emphasize the value of human interactions and experiences over mere material wealth. The script does not directly use the word 'treasure' in a specific example, but the concept is implied in the discussion of the value of social media in enriching human connections.

💡Corruption

In the video script, 'corruption' is discussed in the context of how it is often perceived that social media corrupts human interactions by reducing face-to-face communication. The script argues against this notion, suggesting that social media can actually enhance and support existing relationships rather than corrupt them.

💡Social Media

Social media is a central theme in the video, defined as online platforms that enable users to create and share content or participate in social networking. The script discusses how social media can be a counterweight to the devaluation of human lives, a tool for social change, and a means to connect and empower marginalized groups. Examples include organizing the Women's March and supporting businesswomen through networking sites.

💡Devaluation

Devaluation, in the context of the script, refers to the reduction of the value of a human being to mere numbers, such as a salary or consumer power. The script argues that social media can help counteract this by providing platforms for individuals to express their identities beyond economic metrics.

💡Global Supply Chain

The global supply chain is mentioned in the script as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of modern economies. It is used to illustrate the point that those not highly integrated into this system, such as the elderly or disabled, are often the first to be marginalized in society.

💡Counterweight

The term 'counterweight' is used in the script to describe how social media serves as a balance or opposing force to the negative trends in society, such as the devaluation of human lives. It suggests that social media can provide an alternative means of valuing and connecting people.

💡Hacking Connectivity

In the script, 'hacking connectivity' is a metaphorical term used to describe how individuals can use online interactions to break away from constraints in their offline lives. It implies that social media can be a tool for individuals to overcome physical distances and maintain or strengthen relationships.

💡Aesthetic Lifestyle

The term 'aesthetic lifestyle' is used in the context of how social media platforms like Instagram have become popular due to the ability of users to curate and share visually appealing aspects of their lives. The script mentions the use of scenes and filters to enhance posts and the 'like game' as part of this trend.

💡Marginalized Communities

Marginalized communities in the script refer to groups that are often overlooked or excluded from mainstream society, such as the elderly, the disabled, or minority groups. The video argues that social media can be particularly empowering for these groups by providing them with a platform to connect, organize, and be heard.

💡Collective Consciousness

Collective consciousness in the script is the shared sense of identity and purpose among a group of people. The video uses the example of the Women's March to illustrate how social media can bring people together around a common cause, fostering a sense of collective consciousness and action.

💡Social Change

Social change is a key concept in the script, referring to the transformation of societal structures and behaviors. The video discusses how social media can be a powerful tool for instigating social change, as seen in the organization of the Women's March and campaigns against social stigmas.

Highlights

Social media is a counterweight to the ongoing devaluation of human lives, rather than a separate entity from real-world interactions.

Online and offline worlds are tightly integrated, allowing people to break away from offline constraints through online interactions.

Social media enables individuals to maintain connections with family and friends across the globe, regardless of physical distance.

Communities can be found online for those who cannot find like-minded individuals in their offline lives.

Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook can amplify voices that are censored in conventional media outlets.

Social media has become an integral part of daily life, with over 1 billion active users on Facebook alone.

The aesthetic lifestyle portrayed on Instagram has significantly increased its popularity, with users employing scenes and filters to share cherished moments.

Social media can be used as a force for good, empowering individuals and communities to instigate social change, as demonstrated by the Women's March.

Campaigns like Spain's 'Sticks and Stone' use Twitter to reduce stigma surrounding mental health and learning disabilities.

New apps and tools, such as 'Mark Yourself Unsafe', strengthen social change movements by highlighting threats faced by minority groups.

Social media is a powerful tool for empowering businesswomen and minority groups, providing networking opportunities not readily found offline.

Social media is one of the best ways to stay informed, often spreading information faster than traditional media.

The elderly demographic is the fastest-growing group on social media, reporting increased happiness due to online contact with family and friends.

Social media allows for the expression of appreciation and respect for individuals who may not be encountered in real life.

Social media facilitates the translation of interaction and social networks through a more effective form, rather than corrupting human interaction.

The Women's March demonstrated the power of social media in organizing for action and fostering global connections among participants.

Social media's role in modern life is to increase connection in a world divided by capitalism, television disengagement, and suburban sprawl.

Transcripts

[Music]

now now look to the treasure elect lolly

random Annie Trinity College to open the

case for the opposition to corrupt

something is to do more than changing

the mayor essence or nature of that

thing but to strip it of its utility its

functions and its pleasures much of what

ails our modern lies is the fact that we

reduce the value of a human being to a

number a salary or consumer power and

the first to be thrown overboard tend to

be the elderly the disabled and anyone

not highly integrated into the global

supply chain rather than a corruption

social media is if anything a

counterweight to the ongoing devaluation

of human lives rather than being

separate virtual and real worlds the

fact that online and offline fears are

tightly integrated is exactly why people

can attempt to break away from the

constraints in their offline lives by

hacking their connectivity through their

online interactions can't be close to

your family because your docks your job

took you to the other end of the planet

you can still share updates on Facebook

can't find people who share your hobbies

and interests surely there is a

community online can't get your voice

heard through conventional media outlets

because your government is censoring

news of your protests you can tweet

photos of it with a few clicks were able

to share in the life experiences of

other people whether they're old

colleagues friends from high school or

people we've not yet had the opportunity

to meet offline and might never have

encountered if it wasn't for social

media online communication can make face

to face offline relationships stronger

parents are able to keep in close

contact with their children who are

travelling abroad or going away to

university and global friendships are

still able to flourish amid all this

controversy let let us not forget what

the principal reason for Facebook having

over a billion users is it works social

media has become an integral part of our

daily lives over 1 billion active

two accusers visit the site each day

there are over 500 million tweets per

day and around 80 million post shared on

Instagram

the idea of portraying an aesthetic

lifestyle has increased Instagram

popularity immensely more and more

people play the like game using scenes

and filters to aid them the enjoy being

able to share some of their most

cherished moments with their families

and friends let's pick the example of

user X they have a black-and-white

Instagram with the bio making my life

looks fun so people think I'm cool

photos include gym poses with the

caption there's no place like home and

post on liquid with poses with celebs

you might think I'm referring to the

Instagram of One Direction peristyle but

no I'm actually referring to tonight

first proposition speaker

that is recession dear economics and

management students just like myself and

is also a member of the Union Standing

Committee he's someone I actually met in

my very first lecture here at Oxford and

around one year ago he endorsed me on

LinkedIn for public speaking so I'm

really looking forward to seeing where

he makes my speech tonight it falls on

me to introduce all of our proposition

speakers this evening not just our

Australian Cinderella our Gannon is the

writer of award-winning millennium Bible

girl lost in the city and author of

control-alt-delete how I grew up online

and former social media editor of

British grammar and a leading blogger

she's immensely well qualified to speak

about the issues tonight's debate came

to discuss Carey Healy is a British

television presenter he'd have taken on

subjects such as feminism body image

money and parenting having even given

birth on-screen in addition to her TV

work she's also an incredibly successful

journalist and author having released

her first book last year mr. president

physio seekers and they are certainly

most welcome

moving on my first main argument this

evening social media empowered us to

feel our interconnectivity and

collective consciousness on November the

8th discouraged and upset by the outcome

of the u.s. election retired lawyer

Teresa shook set up a Facebook event

inviting women to stage a peaceful

protest in Washington the day after the

presidential inauguration the Hawaiian

resident wanted the Trump administration

to know on his very first day in office

that women's rights are human rights by

the time she woke up on November the 9th

if a 10,000 people had expressed their

desire to attend the rally

soon after women across across the

country began setting up similar events

on January the first to a 21st a day

after president Trump's inauguration

over 500,000 people including many

celebrities arrived at the nation's

capital to stage a peaceful but Propst

but forceful protest an additional four

hundred and eight marches took place in

cities across the United States and 168

more in 81 countries worldwide according

to some estimates over 4.8 million women

men and children took to the streets

this Saturday it's clear to see how

social media can be used as a force for

good and empower individuals and

communities to instigate social change

social media can help us arm social

stigmas for example the sticks and stone

comes Spain's campaign users Twitter to

reduce stigma surrounding mental health

and learning disabilities new apps and

tools add to the strength of powerful

change movements launched earlier this

month marks yourself unsafe is a web app

that allows black lives matter

organizers modeled after Facebook safety

check to allow black social media users

to symbolically mark themselves as

unsafe in locations throughout the

United States the tool serves to

highlight the current threats the black

community faces across the nation making

it extremely and sobering me clear how

racism threatens the safety of black

Americans social media also to dilla

Tate's the breaking of glass ceilings

and shattering of conventional social

socio-economic barriers in a world where

only 24 14 500 company CEOs are one

in social media is also a powerful tool

in helping to empower businesswomen

being able to connect from social

networking sites gives business women an

opportunity not readily found offline

especially as social media sites are

dominated by women for example the

website one org helps African women

entrepreneurs connect from social media

to help grow their businesses in fact

it's clear to see how social media is a

particularly powerful tool for minority

groups in general whether these groups

are those defined by their identity or

their interests social media equips with

with the knowledge needed to become

global citizens and communicators no one

can argue with the fact that social

media is one of the best ways to stay

informed social networking sites spread

information faster than any other form

of any other form of media Twitter and

YouTube users reported the 2012 Colorado

theater shooting before news crews could

arrive on the scene and the red cross

earth witnesses to tell family members

that they would say via social media

outlets using social media allows people

to follow organizations and causes that

they believe in and makes them feel that

they are part of something even if they

are not fully integrated into society in

fact the 74 plus age group is the

fastest growing demographic on social

media sites seniors report feeling

happier due to online contact to family

and friends and they have also have

access to information that have news

that has moved online and out of print

let's take the example of my grandmother

after my grandfather passed away she

lived alone in her house in India three

of her children live in the USA whilst

the fourth my mother lives in the UK

many of her friends have moved away to

live with their children abroad - it's

easy to understand how isolated she

sometimes feels ten years ago this

isolation would have been incredibly

difficult to overcome in today's world

however she's managed to learn how to

use her iPad and smartphones to keep in

touch with her children and

grandchildren around the globe it also

helps us to keep up to date with the

things that are happening in her life as

well to check that she's okay and

sometimes human communication isn't

about sending heaps of time in a

conversation and it isn't about fussing

over how much time you spend with

someone it's about smiling knowingly

at the status of your friend here was a

600-mile

the way it's about that moment of relief

that you feel when your friend posts I'm

all right everything's fine after a

bombs gasps next Oh workplace it's about

your ability to express your

appreciation and respect for someone you

would never talk to in real life by

liking wowing or loving their statuses

it's about the Solidarity that you

foster through the fluid complex yet

powerful interactions that you get

online finally social media makes it

easier for us to love and be loved

the world really is getting smaller and

we're now connected to each other based

digitally and physically social media is

just one factor in modern life that can

increase the connection in a world which

is divided by the vagaries of capitalism

the disengagement of television and the

isolation of suburban sprawl tonight's

proposition will try to convince you

that social media corrupts human

interactions by reducing face-to-face

interactions and disrupting social

networks data on the matter however

simply proves them to be wrong social

media does not in fact just place one

type of conversation with another it is

instead allowed translation of

interaction and social networks through

a more effective form the invention of

Facebook does not make you stop speaking

to your loved ones in real life although

it has definitely changed the way that

we interact this change is most

definitely not a corruption no one is

saying that social media should be or is

our main form of communication and

interactions or even listen it as a

substitute for personal interaction

above all it's not up to the proposition

or any of us in fact to impose a

monistic absolute definition of what

makes human interaction valuable maybe

someone finds communicating online less

fulfilling and yet more expedient we

have no right to determine if expediency

is a wrong metric to fulfillment each to

their own social media certainly isn't

perfect but it's clear that it has the

potential to be an incredibly pivotal

vehicle for social change and that it

has the power to enhance existing

interactions and relationships I'd like

to close by thinking again about last

Saturday's women's march it goes without

saying that the extraordinary manner in

which it spread around the world

would not have happened if social media

did not remind us of our collective

consciousness and could not have

happened without social medias role

in organizing for action as I hope I've

shown tonight social media is of

particular significance to marginalize

communities around the globe from the

elderly to the structurally oppressed

group who led the women's March through

its connector power millions of people

came together to march on Saturday and I

really do hope that the network and

friendships formed among those who march

will persist in ways that could not have

done before thanks to social media sure

this constitutes change but it's quite

the opposite of corruption I could not

be more proud to oppose this motion

thank

[Applause]

[Music]

you

[Music]