The Internet is increasingly becoming
an important tool in the way in which we contribute to our national culture.
But what is interesting is that many of us wouldn’t even realize that we are
using the Internet to do this when we connect online. Every time we post our
thoughts, pictures, music or stories onto sites such as YouTube, Facebook,
Instagram or Twitter, we are contributing to our national culture.
National culture can be defined as
norms, behaviours, beliefs and customs that exist within the population of a
sovereign nation (BusinessDictionary.com 2012: np).
So every time you upload a video clip
to YouTube or change your status on Facebook, you are sharing your culture
with the world. The stories you write, and the way in which you write them,
inadvertently portray your values, beliefs and customs. However, there is a
flip side. The use of social networks to portray your personal thoughts and
views also enables others to comment or pass judgment on what you post.
So this begs the question, will social networks change our culture? Are we altering our personal values and behaviors
in order to avoid criticism as a result of going against the social norm?
However, social networks also provide a medium for a
diaspora population to gain a new found sense of belonging by connecting with
their traditional roots. Check out Hot Peppa Sauce as a great example of NYC resident Ameer Bacchus connecting with his West Indian roots demonstrating how
powerful a tool the Internet is in contributing to national culture.
References:
Bacchus, A 2012, Hot Peppa
Sauce Yuh West Indian Fix, Hot Peppa Sauce, Retrieved 13th
August 2012, <http://www.hotpeppasauce.net/>
BusinessDictionary.com
2012, National Culture,
BusinessDictionary.com, Retrieved 13th August 2012, <http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/national-culture.html>
Kallas,
P 2011, Will Social Networks and Sharing
Change Our Culture?, Dreamgrow, Retrieved 13th August 2012, <http://www.dreamgrow.com/will-social-networks-and-sharing-change-our-culture/>
Kameliaculture
2012, Sharing West Indian Culture Through
Comics Online, Culture Kamelia, Retrieved 13th August 2012 <http://cultureatkamelia.wordpress.com/2012/07/15/sharing-west-indian-culture-through-comics-online>
Wikipedia
2012, Diaspora, Wikipedia, Retrieved
13th August 2012, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diaspora>
Interesting read Joel. Discussing the different aspects of what using social media contributes to made for a good blog. Posting a video or status online not only contributes to your national culture, but also the global culture of the use of social media. Reading other statuses that were made by people on the other side of the world may influence the way you will write your next status, and vice versa. The link in your last paragraph really helped explain what your whole post is about. good work!
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