Group 2 of Collaborative Assigment

​Group 2  Students of Jasmine Boujer, Mariam Elhaddad, Joseph Fiorenza

Assignment 2 of Group 2

 

Word

# 1 Activism

 # 2 real friends

 # 3 Network

The top-ranked word, "Activism," encapsulates the heart of Gladwell's argument. It underscores his critique of online social networks, emphasizing the necessity of strong ties and hierarchical structures for impactful societal change. The term serves as a compass guiding readers through Gladwell's exploration of the limitations of virtual connections in fostering genuine and meaningful relationships crucial for effective activism. By prioritizing "Activism," the reader gains insight into the core message of Gladwell's skepticism towards the transformative power of online activism.

The word "Network" secures the second spot due to its pivotal role in Gladwell's thesis. It symbolizes the very structure that Gladwell challenges in his critique of online activism. Highlighting the inadequacy of loose and decentralized online networks, Gladwell contends that genuine change requires a different, more interconnected approach.

"Real Friends" is ranked third. While significant, this term operates more on a cultural and societal level, complementing Gladwell's argument rather than serving as its core. It connects with the broader theme of authentic relationships, resonating with readers as it reflects a widely valued concept in contemporary culture. However, in the context of Gladwell's argument, "Real Friends" takes a more supportive role, contributing to the overall understanding of the societal implications discussed in the article.

 Phrase

#1 "Strong ties vs weak ties"

#2 "Acknowledgment and praise"

#3 "Defined by their tools"

We ranked our phrases in this order as we believe the phrase “Strong ties vs weak ties” perfectly represents the main idea of this article. The difference between a more personal and direct “strong” tie and the loose and online “weak” tie is very apparent throughout the article and makes this phrase our number one pick for importance.

The second phrase “Acknowledgment and praise,” although relevant to the discussion of social media as a form of activism, is not as important as the overarching idea of strong ties vs weak ties. Although acknowledgment and praise within online activism may be important to understanding the article, it does not touch on the idea of stronger forms of activism.

Our third and final phrase “Defined by their tools,” attempts to push online activists to do something more impactful than sitting behind a screen. Although this is a great thing to push for it does not necessarily relate to the article and serves more as a callout to people not doing enough for a cause while pretending it is their top priority.

 Sentences 

# 1 "The platforms of social media are built around weak ties."

# 2 “Social Networks are particularly effective at increasing motivation”

# 3 "The evangelists of social media don’t understand this distinction; they seem to believe that a Facebook friend is the same as a real friend and that signing up for a donor registry in Silicon Valley today is activism in the same sense as sitting at a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro in 1960."

 The Sentence "The platforms of social media are built around weak ties" has several potential meanings for pop culture. For Instance, The Increased Accessibility and Discovery. Social media's weak ties can open doors to diverse pop culture experiences beyond immediate circles. In addition, We can encounter new artists, genres, and movements you wouldn't have discovered otherwise, expanding your cultural horizons and enriching your engagement with pop culture. 

When considering the sentence"Social Networks are particularly effective at increasing motivation" in the context of pop culture, the meaning is multifaceted. It depends on how individuals engage with pop culture through these platforms. For example, Exposure to Diverse and Inspiring Content. Social media connects individuals to a vast ocean of pop culture content, including music, movies, art, and social movements. Furthermore, Witnessing the journeys and accomplishments of others can spark motivation to pursue personal goals and aspirations.

The statement "The evangelists of social media don’t understand this distinction; they seem to believe that a Facebook friend is the same as a real friend and that signing up for a donor registry in Silicon Valley today is activism in the same sense as sitting at a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro in 1960." It does not directly address pop culture as bad or good and makes a statement about the perception of activism within both real-world and online spheres. However, its implications for pop culture can be analyzed through two main lenses. For instance, the Superficial Engagement vs. Deep Commitment. The sentence suggests that "evangelists" overestimate the impact of online activism like Facebook "friendships" or online petitions, comparing them to the deep commitment and personal risk involved in real-world actions like the Greensboro sit-in. This implies that pop culture engagement in activism, through hashtags or online campaigns, might lack the sustained effort and personal sacrifice crucial for meaningful social change.