Problem:
How respond to this student discussion post in a short paragraph
Shirky explores group formation and activism in chapter 2 of his book Here Comes Everybody. He explains that co-ordination and group formation has been designated traditionally to companies and governments following a hierarchy system of communication to lessen costs. However, with social tools that are available now there is "large scale coordination at low cost" allowing for a category of organization involving "serious, complex work... without institutional direction" (Shirkey p. 47). This is seen through the 'Buy Nothing' Facebook group, which allows group formation through sharing resources on the group notifying others of available resources like food, clothing, furniture. Shirkey introduces this idea of 'share then gather' (p. 35), which is the concept that it is easier to reach people with mutual interest when you share first then trying to gather and organize first because it expends more time and cost. Versus when sharing first, it reaches people with like minded interests making gathering easier than having to go through all the logistics of how to gather. Thus, this Facebook group will exist and be joined by individuals seeking this kind of community without having an organizer stretch resources to market this group.
Through online platforms,communities and neighborhoods come together and share food, clothing, furniture without having to pay, which in turn helps communities flourish. Similarly, the Black Lives Matter movement was propelled via social platforms and technology to fight institutionalized racism (Stephen, 2015). In both instances of organization, group formation was much easier, which in turn allowed for information to spread easily. Like the Facebook group, information once posted was circulated to others who joined it, and also by word of mouth by those in the group. Technology stands as a powerful tool to form organized groups but it can also be a hindrance as seen in Get Up, Stand Up because online mobs form to spew hate and threats.
Simultaneously, social platforms serve to spread the word within seconds as posts and videos go viral. There does not need to be institutionalized organization or dependence on it because of the ease with which social tools allow for organization. It is easy to connect to people through available organizations online with a simple click. From posting about food pantries to social justice causes, social media has become a platform for organizations to form and gather with little to no costs. Hence, there is one less barrier to forming and sustaining organizations. Need Assignment Help?