Wei Tang makes the argument that the connections individuals are making via social networking sites are not valuable, but rather distracting. In her perspective, social networking sites connect people with "strangers the social networker wouldn't normally care about." Wood, on the other hand, discusses the importance of communication in education and how social networking allows people to connect with experts. She references as an example her meeting with Kate Bornstein, "an intellectual role model of (hers)" as a result of their connection on Twitter. Though the people with whom individuals connect on social networking sites differ greatly, there is no doubt these sites allow boundaries to be stretched and social interaction to reach new heights.
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ReplyDeleteVery creative point of comparision. Even though you said that this point was one of the most visible commonalities, I think it was harder to see than some of the others. Excellent use of quotations; they certainly strenghtened your argument. Good transition between your analysis of Tang’s and Wood’s argument.
ReplyDeleteI found that Tang's claim that those connections made are not valuable was a rather harsh statement. I think it is obvious how important these connection can be, such as when family members, teachers, and colleagues are able to better keep in touch outside of their milieus. However, I do not deny that many individuals use social networking sites in unproductive ways and allow them to become sources of procrastination. This is a bad habit easily made as a result of social networking sites, but it does not erase the numerous positive aspects of these sites that are still present.
ReplyDeleteYou took a different approach in the similarities between the two arguments that turned out to be quite insightful. It is true that both authors emphasize the fact that an individual is being connected to those that they would not normally be connected to without the use of a social networking site. By doing so, they either gain more "friends" and a sense of popularity that is commonly seen on sites such as facebook. Although, by being connected to social networks, one could talk to another intellect and exchange their ideas, leading to a productive progress of a student's education.
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