Written Analysis 2

      

Written Analysis 2

Mona J. Barnes

Popular Culture

Instructor Jenifer Garey

April 16, 2015

            My popular culture topic is Facebook.  With regard to the concept of ritual or ritualistic

actions, I am amazed at how Facebook has become a part of many people’s morning and nighttime rituals.  Facebook is one of the first things most young folks and some older ones, check first thing in the morning.  They check it while they are having their morning coffee or just when they wake up to see what they have missed from the night before or to see if anyone has commented on what they themselves may have posted from the night before.  This brings me to the other side of the ritual.  I find that in my own personal usage of the application that many more people are on at night.  They are posting about what they did all day or responding to other people’s postings.  Often there is chatter going back and forth as if it were a chat room as opposed to just a “wall” to post things to. 

            My theory is, that overall, people really DO need people.  We are always looking for people to connect with.  Humans have a need to connect with others.  Even people who are introverts appear to be more communicative through the veil of Facebook.  People can connect in different ways on Facebook.  It does not have to be verbally but could be through interest pages, or Facebook videos and postings like the ALS challenge that was so big last summer.  It unites people or at least gives them a place to vent or just browse and not feel so alone.  It also gives people a chance to review, remember, and share their past with people that they have been out of touch with. As they age, these forgotten or disconnected people from their past can be reached out to, found, and even perhaps reconnect after years of being away from each other.

            I think it is a valuable tool if used properly.  On the dark side of things, as we have seen in the news many a time, it can be used to do harm.  It is often used for bullying when it comes to school age children or as a defense mechanism to call out the bullies so that they don’t get to remain hidden behind the scenes playing dirty.  I think it empowers bullies but also empowers the person being bullied because they can turn it around on those who are being nasty and expose them. 

            I have realized that some social medias are just so important for people.  Everyone needs a place to belong or a soft place to fall at the end of the day, and if they do not have a significant other or a close family, they can create, find, or reconnect with one on Facebook.