I don't think that I'm alone in being a bit disappointed with youth involvement in civil society. What happened to impromptu riots, rallies and gatherings? Or even planned ones for that matter? Don't get me wrong, I've heard of the Stewart-Colbert rallies, but the majority of our class hadn't yet heard of the liberal response that's apparently happening this weekend. I say apparent, because 1. I am unsure if it’s this weekend or next 2. because just because something is planned doesn't mean anyone will show up. That is not a jab at liberals. That is a jab at our generation. However, the tides may be turning.
Social networking is one of the latest assets of congregation and communication. Everyone around the world is using it. And its inspiring people. Maybe we won't be bowling alone for too much longer. The State Department even asked Twitter not to undergo a scheduled maintenance because it would coincide with an Iranian revolution. Nations have closed off access to sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Bebo. The international community is aware of the growing strength and unity that social networking is providing. So maybe, just maybe, this won't just be a fad, and social networking will become an important tool in facilitating involvement in civil society, not something to put in the history books as an attempted reinvigoration at the beginning of the 21st century.
I think your right though, as people have become more a custom to clicking a button that states one of the following: "will attend, won't attend or maybe", less have actually dedicate themselves to a event by, well, showing up. I think tools such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin etc. are unique and have great potential,though if not followed up by action, are then just tools. Hence, like any "extension" as Edward Hall states, can cause distance and dehumanization to occur between the user and the person or environment they are interacting with. So, I guess in the long run we can only hope that people will use these tools or "extensions" in more meaningful ways then click a button.
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