Social Media. How powerful is it? We're about to find out here in Oz

[think_too_mut]

5 hours ago, buffalo_bill said:

... "Simply I am too old to worry; til the AI takes over I hope to have signed off by watching the giant Mekong quietly passing by, preferably accompanied by my beloved cigar and maybe beer Singh. "...

Beer Singha by the Mekong river. Cheers!

[Old Hippie]

Quite well stated sir, I occasionally enjoy a decent cigar, Cohiba Rubusto or Arturo Fuente, usually 1-2 times a year, the drink will vary. I am now torn between beer Sigha and cold brewed Chang Draught in the 5 liter mini keg…still prefer Yuengling lager, America’s oldest brewery and many various Belgian or German beers. Here in NorCal, we have a decent selection and decent prices compared to other places…Yuengling is only available in the East, I bootleg a few cases Everytime I go east,  I fear may soon be ruined by poor management and getting too big…it ruined Rolling Rock. The local brewery, my beloved Anchor Steam is now gone, hoarded a few cases before they went under…but I digress…I too have no need for social media, other than here I suppose. One phrase I never uttered was “…hit me up on MySpace…” or “…what’s your twitter..?”  While we say we don’t need it, it does influence the world around us, for good or bad. Social media played a big role in politics the last few times, and we now live with the result…While I don’t “tweet” or “IG” etc…those around us do and it can have an impact whether we give a flying fuck or not…AI will also impact things, especially news/information/the truth… “…for the greatest casualty in any war is the truth..”  and we are in a war for such wether we like it or not, or participate or not…

[bust]

On 11/26/2024 at 3:49 PM, Old Hippie said:

Social media is interesting, it played a major roll in the last few elections and will continue to do so.  has made life more simple in many ways and more difficult  and more dangerous in other ways. 

It also played a major role in deceiving those who take their info from then.

Musk manipulated traffic on X throughout the election and beyond. He adjusts the site’s algorithm to throttle views he disagrees with and promotes the ones he does. He did this repeatedly during the election. In some instances Trump misinformation posts would achieve in some case 30 million views while responses correcting the OP with the actual truth or the facts would maybe get 10-15 thousand views.

[think_too_mut]

Eh, then you simply do not trust anything from X. Many former Twitter users deserted the platform, no wonder those siding with Musk have remained and have made those numbers of likes or agreements (never seen a post from Twitter or X, don't know what they look like)
That, even without any manipulation. That news, although possible, could also be fake.
I have no account with any of social networks.

[martino1]

Social media has become an incredibly powerful tool in today's world, and its impact is felt across every corner of society, including here in Australia. From shaping public opinion to driving consumer trends, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok hold a level of influence that was unimaginable just a decade ago.

What fascinates me most is how social media isn’t just a tool for personal connection anymore—it’s a major driver of business, politics, and even social movements. For example, think about how viral campaigns or hashtag activism have brought awareness to critical issues or how small businesses have thrived using targeted ads.

But with great power comes great responsibility. Social media’s ability to spread misinformation or create echo chambers is something we can’t ignore. The challenge lies in harnessing this power for good while mitigating its potential downsides.

What are your thoughts? Do you think social media in Australia is being used effectively, or are there areas where we could improve?

[Coss]

The wisdom of the masses, and its progeny, popularity=truth, are about to (in decades or more) meet the strongman's goons, who will be cracking down on the inane and popular discourse of the villagers in the town square.

[Mekong]

10 hours ago, martino1 said:

What are your thoughts? Do you think social media in Australia is being used effectively, or are there areas where we could improve?

I don’t know about Australia and have never been to Australia, perhaps you would get a better response posting this on an Australian forum rather than a THAI one

[bust]

3 hours ago, Mekong said:

I don’t know about Australia and have never been to Australia, perhaps you would get a better response posting this on an Australian forum rather than a THAI one

I don't really think it's about Australia. Last time i was in LOS social media was alive and kicking. Apparently all the girls like to take selfies on the stretch between Spankys and Rainbow 3. Now that they are using manipulated algorithms to drive content I'm over it.

[martino1]

16 hours ago, martino1 said:

Social media has become an incredibly powerful tool in today's world, and its impact is felt across every corner of society, including here in Australia. From shaping public opinion to driving consumer trends, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok hold a level of influence that was unimaginable just a decade ago.

What fascinates me most is how social media isn’t just a tool for personal connection anymore—it’s a major driver of business, politics, and even social movements. For example, think about how viral campaigns or hashtag activism have brought awareness to critical issues or how small businesses have thrived using targeted ads.

Interestingly, it’s also a space where industries like online gambling website have found new ways to connect with their audiences, using targeted advertising and social trends to engage users effectively.

But with great power comes great responsibility. Social media’s ability to spread misinformation or create echo chambers is something we can’t ignore. The challenge lies in harnessing this power for good while mitigating its potential downsides.

What are your thoughts? Do you think social media in Australia is being used effectively, or are there areas where we could improve?

 

[Old Hippie]

On 11/29/2024 at 11:09 AM, buffalo_bill said:

Mister, fallout from " social media" does not interfere with my pleasant life directly because I do not partake in any way. My mobile telephone is just a telephone 17 years old and almost nobody knows who and where I am. I despise anything the is called "social media" and I just laugh about individuals falling from a bridge taking instagram photos or running under a train reading tiktok shite. Up to them. It should indeed worry me realising that people adjust their life to what some rotten souls like Donald or now Elon publish be the hour but I have no reason to let this influence my life in any way. Simply I am too old to worry; til the AI takes over I hope to have signed off by watching the giant Mekong quietly passing by, preferably accompanied by my beloved cigar and maybe beer Singh. That would be fine, although the mighty river Rhein just 5 minutes away would also do the job. Khun Hippie, I am probably the oldest fart on this fine forum but life is still great, why should I worry about "social media" after 77 years, just fuck it. Hope you get my drift. On a strictly confidential sidenote: Previous Thai citizen Maylin, now even holding a German passport, bit overweight but good heart, making some money occasionally by strengthening the Thai/German relationship, confirmed the other day " You like young man". The exaggeration of the month, but social without media. Over to you.

I understand not participating in social media, however the way SM affects those who use it and the way it shapes society as a whole does indeed affect those around them, participants in SM or not. Ever have to deal with some of these “nose in their phone” type of “kids” and their lack of respect and social skill? That is directly related to SM and poor parenting…