Great pieces of literatures all begin as a story. Although they are similar, literature is written, whereas a story can be much fuller. As we are witnessing today, stories can be injected with life through multimedia technologies, such as hypertexts, videos, audio tracks. Stories can be shared online instantly. As explored during our lesson, there are some limiting factors for the reader when it comes to the written word. The reader is unable to alter the written words; whereas, when a story is told verbally, one can twist and turn the words to add their own personal touch. I believe that with the invention of social media and hypertext, stories – even written ones – are taking a very different shape. Instead of being fixed and limited, stories are fluid, and able to expand over international borders.
Why do we feel the desire to share our stories? It’s human nature to express yourself, and desire connection with others. However, according to this CBC article, it is becoming more common for young people to turn to computers and connect with people online than create intimate relationships in real life. Through social media, people are able to connect with larger audiences. However, as mentioned by Lauren Sherman, “if we’re losing out on opportunities to connect with people as well as we can, that’s a problem” (Dakin). While stories are being shared more often, is the quality and connection (mentioned in Lesson 1.2) being damaged?
If you asked the question above to Jonathan Harris, he would say absolutely not. As explored in his TED Talk, hypertext and social media tools are allowing stories to be shared and understood internationally. As he points out, through online platforms, people are able to translate stories from other languages. Also, through chat rooms/blogs, people are able to communicate with those who speak different languages. As a social media inventor himself, Harris has created a platform that connects users to people who may be feeling sick or down. Users are able to share similar stories: these users may not be in the same city or even country.
While Harris explores the power of multimedia in relation to personal stories, Clay Shirky champions the absolute importance of social media when it comes to large-scale stories. During his TED Talk, Shirky argues that platforms such as YouTube or Facebook are changing the way we experience histories. For example, when a large earthquake hit Japan, citizens were recording and sharing their experiences from the ground as it was happening. As Shirky mentions, people were sharing this story even before news outlets. I believe this talk demonstrates that through social media, people have the power to control the story of their culture. Side note, I do wonder how a different the lifespan of cultural stories are, when they grow in countries where outside social media is limited.
I think with the development of social media and hypertexts, stories are becoming far more compelling than literature. Stories can be created in an instant, and sent out for millions to experience. With modern technologies, stories are read, watched, heard and experienced. I do believe that this is a positive step, as it invites more people to contribute to the story of them, their family, and even their country.
Works Cited
Dakin, Pauline. “Social Media Affecting Teens’ Concepts of Friendship, Intimacy.” CBC News. CBC/Radio Canada, 2014. Web. 16 Sept. 2016.
Harris, Jonathan. “The Web’s Secret Stories.” TED. N.p., Mar. 2007. Web. 16 Sept. 2016.
Shirky, Clay. “How Social Media Can Make History.” TED. N.p., June 2009. Web. 16 Sept. 2016.
jbachynski
September 19, 2016 — 2:10 pm
Hi Tillie,
Thanks so much for this post- this is a topic that I find really interesting. I took a writing class that focused on social media and it’s role in changing the way we communicate with others. I find myself really struggling with my feelings towards social media and I think that many people are trying to find the right balance using it in their lives. I had Facebook for years but found that I was not benefiting from having it and deleted it (I do have an account that I use strictly for school groups like the one for our class). One of my main reasons I did this was related to the CBC article you posted: I was spending less time having face to face interactions with people that were important to me. I do find that I miss having the updates from friends, but in general, it has been a good choice for me. I am a big fan of Instagram and like the simplicity of sharing moments through photographs.
One of the most interesting things about telling story through non-literary means is the legitimacy behind the message. One one hand, I think it is really fun to have very little context, and have the opportunity to look at a photo and make your own assumptions. On the other hand, people are able to convey and manipulate their appearance to perhaps give off something that is not necessarily true- the people who only post flattering or complimentary things… are their lives really like that?
I guess we just need to outweigh the pros and cons of using social media as a primary source of communication. I do agree with you, that in general it is a very positive tool that can create inclusion. I would be so curious to hear if anyone else felt otherwise (that the cons outweigh the pros).
-Jenny Bachynski
TillieStainsbyAnderson
September 20, 2016 — 12:47 am
Hi Jenny,
Thanks for your reply!
I think I may have taken the same class as you! The social media CRWR course at UBC? If so, I really enjoyed it as well.
Also, I deleted my Facebook this past January (but continued to use Instagram), but have opened it again for the purpose of this course. I am interested to hear that you did the same.
One of the major reasons I deleted Facebook was because I did think that it was negatively affecting my relationships. I found myself obsessing with friends or ex-boyfriends online presence instead of being present in ‘real life.’
So, while I agree with you regarding the negative impact of certain online platforms, I do think the avenues that the www adds to story telling is impressive. I think we are able to tell stories now in a way that was previously nonexistent.
Tillie