Have social buttons changed the function and meaning of sharing ?

Assignment 2

Your main Task:

Critically evaluate the question using the new Dislike Button and the Like Button as examples. Support your argument with quotes from the course readings and slides.

Structure:

Break down the question into smaller parts. Start by defining the key values and meanings associated with sharing and describe how sharing has helped to promote a sense of cooperation, community and openness to the interests of others in society.

Then evaluate how social buttons (like, dislike) may have changed these traditional functions and meanings and illustrate how or in what way. You can limit you evaluation to the Like/Dislike button but feel free to include more examples (share, follow, join etc)

Consider the following questions to critically assess possible changes:

What do way actually say or mean when we like or dislike something on social media?

Does the limited functionality of like/dislike buttons narrow or undermine the values and expectations expressed through sharing in the past?

Does the fact that likes/dislikes are counted and publicly displayed make a difference in what, how and with whom we share and for what reason?

Who benefits from the new currency of sharing on social media and at whose or what expense?

Are the cost and benefits evenly distributed? And if not how may this impact the function and meaning of sharing in society at large?

Conclude with a brief statement on whether you think social buttons have impoverished the values traditionally associated with sharing or whether they merely added new functions and meanings to an essential social activity. Whatever you think is the case, make sure you explain if it affects the culture of sharing in society at large.

Length: 600–700 words (going over-length is perfectly fine)

Format: Blogpost on Medium

Grading Criteria:

To gain the maximum of points you need to include at least 2 links to examples on Social media: i. e. a Facebook post, a tweet, an image posted on Instagram and 3 properly referenced quotes from the course readings, using in text references and an end bibliography in APA style.

Deadline: Friday, Sept 25th 9 a.m.