After a very interesting weekend, the streets of Toronto are finally quiet. As the G20 Summit has wrapped up, many Canadians and Torontonians find themselves with a plethora of discussion pieces for the week. Whether it be the G20 Summit agenda and billion-dollar security bill. Or the events that transpired in the streets of Toronto in the clashes between protestors and riot-geared police officers. Regardless of your support or indifference, no one can deny the growing impact social media is having on situations such as this.
Real-Time News
From video to pictures, updates of the events taking place to personal opinions, YouTube, Flickr, Facebook and Twitter have not only become the platforms of information. They’re the libraries of knowledge. They’re the new “Breaking News”. News, knowledge, and information are no longer an aspect of the morning headlines, professionals or the 6 o’clock news. Not only has social media changed the game, it has given everyone the means to be heard and seen. A remarkable characteristic that is relatively new.
It’s remarkable because democratic values have existed for some time. However, only all aspects of the “truth” have been made available in recent times. But don’t be fooled. In no way should this suggest that absolutely everything is true or represents the truth. Though, it shouldn’t be suggested that everything is a misconception or misinformation. Rather it should be understood as uncovering the personal sentiments, events and information unfolding before our BlackBerry’s, cameras and “updates”. An aspect that wasn’t ever possible before.
We Are All Reporters, Broadcasters and Cameramen
And even though a sense of bias will always exist through the “eyes of the observer”, the value of a few “eyes” is significantly different from hundreds to thousands that exist now. You combine this aspect with advancements in mobile communication and mobile technologies, add a crowd of thousands full of smart phones, digital cameras, all with access to social media at a moments notice and you have yourself a mind-blowing event. Now imagine if we had these capabilities throughout time.
There is no doubt that social media will have an imperative role in social movements. Not simply social movements understood in the pretence of protests, marches, demonstrations and riots. But any social characteristic that is somehow effecting society. From early examples, such as Tiananmen Square, to Obama’s presidential campaign and the Iranian student protest of last year. Along with events as recent as the Toyota recall and the continuing outrage towards the BP Spill. Social media is becoming the grounds where movements will continually exist and take place.
The Future of Social Movements
What’s fascinating is social movements will only grow through social media. Not only will all sides of a matter be represented. But you’ll have the bystanders and commentators dragged into the mix (willingly and unwillingly). Everyone will have an opinion and everyone will have a side. Something that will be prompted by the social media savvy Millennials.
A demographic that is not only aging with social media but also, one that’s highly opinionated. They’re a generation where the vast majority of them live through social media. And will value friend’s opinion over anything else. What a powerful combination all this can be when you’re dealing with something small like a bad customer experience or something as big as the G20 events that engulfed the streets of Toronto.
The internet, technology, and social media have dramatically revolutionized how we see the world. With every second of video, every picture taken, the Facebook updates and tweets, everyone has somehow become part of a movement. Although these movements could be something small affecting a few people, they can undoubtedly have a powerful and expanding effect. Social media allows anyone to share their opinion and point-of-view, but it also unites people. Whether it be for better or worse, any type of social movement can now easily flourish through all the social streams. The deciding factor will be what friends and followers decide to believe. It will be a matter of what opinions Millennials choose to accept.
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