Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Can Social Media really empower the masses?

Good Question. And Ulises Mejias provokes more questions than answers. He explores the debate between the idealists and the critics of Social Media here.

A quick note: Mejias masterfully makes an exegesis of C. Wright Mills' book "The Power Elite" (1956) and its description of the features of a Democratic Public Sphere, fifty years hence.
1) Balance between the ability to produce and consume ideas
2) Affordable and effective means of producing ideas
3) Translation of ideas into action.

Good framework.

Bottomline: Get a happy blend of "wisdom of crowds and wisdom of individuals".

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