Social Media and the ‘Spiral of Silence’
pewinternet.org
Social Media and the ‘Spiral of Silence’
1–10 of 89 posts
Re: Social Media and the ‘Spiral of Silence’
#2The last paragraph of the article:
"Because of its sample size (1,801 people) and choice of topic, Pew’s study might not be a fully accurate example of social media’s silencing effects, but it’s definitely fodder for discussion – if you dare! – as well as further research."
Sigh.
Re: Social Media and the ‘Spiral of Silence’
#3Wouldn't http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/08/26/social-media-and-the-s... be a better link as this article seems to just repeat what the study says.
Re: Social Media and the ‘Spiral of Silence’
#4I don't want say to I am ahead of the curve or anything but yes I already have started not saying nothing on my social network that's related to politics/religion/social-issues/etc. I don't say yes or no on any of those on social network. I have decided silence is the best option.
I do have a real world example too. I used to work with a manager over me who was really cool and worked with me well. Felt he was looking out for me and my career advancement. We shared common interests on more than a few things too.
And then one day I said something that rubbed him the wrong way (still don't know what exactly) and just like that, he pretty much stopped talking to me. And that led to the point where I was left out of projects, out of discussions, and eventually to the point where the upper management felt I was not needed. I had to leave the company. I still feel he was a great guy and smart dude.
Btw, I read somewhere that on US Navy ships' officers' dining rooms, 2 topics are not discussed at all: politics and religion. I understand why.
Re: Social Media and the ‘Spiral of Silence’
#5LOL.
> Of course, it’s worth pointing out that the choice to use the Snowden situation as the basis for this particular study could be flawed – after all, social platforms, including Facebook, were implicated as being among the places the government tapped to listen in on citizens’ conversations. Perhaps citizens didn’t want to publicize an opinion on this particular matter, but would be more willing to do so on others.
LOL again. Have the Pew researchers never heard of the "priming" effect? As soon as you bring up Snowden as the topic, respondents may immediately think of the social network surveillance and of course, think that they may not want to talk about just anything -- Snowden related or not -- online.
Re: Social Media and the ‘Spiral of Silence’
#6I'm concerned that it's only going to get worse.
Look at Brendan Eich, no matter what we think of Proposition 8, I think it's crazy that his support of a political position that was also supported by a very narrow majority of his fellow Californians could cause him to have to leave his job six years later.
It's entirely possible that Eich could become a verb, like Bork. Any one of us could support one side of a contentious political fight today and in six years get Eiched because the winning side chooses to be vindictive and petty.
I hesitated to bring this up because I thought about the last time I was moderated -4 for something I said here.
In the end we need to decide, how serious we are about the marketplace of ideas. We need to decide if we really believe in the ideals that we claim to.
If I disagree with you, I'll challenge your ideas. I'll challenge your thinking. I'll debate you. I will not attempt to silence you.
Re: Social Media and the ‘Spiral of Silence’
#7Wouldn't http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/08/26/social-media-and-the-s... be a better link as this article seems to just repeat what the study says.
Yes; thanks; changed. (Was http://techcrunch.com/2014/08/26/social-media-is-silencing-p...)
Re: Social Media and the ‘Spiral of Silence’
#8I'm concerned that it's only going to get worse. Look at Brendan Eich, no matter what we think of Proposition 8, I think it's crazy that his support of a political position that was also supported by a very narrow majority of his fellow Californians could cause him to have to leave his job six years later. It's entirely possible that Eich could become a verb, like Bork. Any one of us could support one side of a conte…
I see stickers on cars 'Coexist'. And I look at what's going on. And I have to say it was bait-and-switch.
Will I get down votes for this?
Re: Social Media and the ‘Spiral of Silence’
#9I was going to sternly object, and then I remembered how a friend deleted me on facebook because I liked a certain politician. Then my work friended me so I went back and pruned every semi-controversial topic from my feed and "unliked" a ton of subjects. And now I keep it all to myself. I probably reveal more here in my writing than I do on those outlets.
And to say I edit my thoughts here on HN would be an understatement. People don't want true diversity. That would mean hearing something they dislike. Which would invalidate their life apparently.
Re: Social Media and the ‘Spiral of Silence’
#10The last paragraph of the article: "Because of its sample size (1,801 people) and choice of topic, Pew’s study might not be a fully accurate example of social media’s silencing effects, but it’s definitely fodder for discussion – if you dare! – as well as further research." Sigh.
Which of the following does your sigh indicate:
a. You are sighing because you believe the study to be meaningless due to its sample size.
b. You are sighing because the writer needlessly undermines the results of a completely legitimate poll (+/- 3.3% margin of error for the subgroups).
c. You are sighing about poor comedy ("if you dare!").