Letter To Malcom Gladwell

Dear Malcom Gladwell,

I fear that you don't seem to understand the way in which people use the internet. Sure, social media networks are not the best way in supporting a cause, but don't get confused that people don't understand the services in which they use. Most people on the internet understand that "friends" on a social media network are not their true friends. It was merely a term that was created for the use of the network when it was in its stage of functioning in a college setting and just stuck. Facebook and twitter were created to form new ways in which individuals communicate with each other. Sure you can post an activist cause, but that's not what the service was meant for. It's for starting conversation and promoting people to look into more focused institutions on and outside the web to learn and contribute to. Also, for those who actually contribute a small portion to a cause through social media may not continue to actively support it, they are still contributing into a micro-sum mass that they alone may have not contributed to in the first place if it'd taken more effort.

You're also comparing social media activism with with activism that occurred in an age without social media. Where the values were different and there was no other option to support a cause. Imagine if there was a sit in of sorts, today. Sure you could put yourself on the line and do it physically, but what about all those who are to scared to voice their opinion or have something they must protect? Instead they would have the option of anonymity over the internet. Not only does this increase the scale and voice of the cause one would be fighting for but gives props to those who otherwise could not.

You claim that Shirky's argument is weak because they helped someone retrieve a phone, but it's that mass communication between the community that builds strength. The amalgam of each of their individual strengths and free time gives an exponential and possibly unlimited amount of resources.