Tufekci’s Main Argument

Tufekci’s main argument is that despite online activism being easy to grow it only lasts for a short period. She proves the point through comparing modern movements such as Ukraine, Hong Kong, and Gezi to the 1960s civil rights movement where it uncovers an amazing organizing benefit protest just the way it occurred before the rising of social media campaigns and protests (TEdGlobal, 2014). On her talk, Tufekci is more focused on the issue that online demonstrations are easy to mobilize but hard to achieve successful outcomes. For instance, a network of tweets can lead to global awareness campaign as well as a Facebook page becoming a massive mobilization hub. However, according to Tufekci, the achievements brought about by such protests are not proportional to the energy and size they aspire.

Intended Audience and the Purpose of Talk

The intended audience for Tufekci is social media users, especially the online campaigners and protesters. Since nowadays most people are involved in online protests where they use social media, Tufekci purpose is to let them know that their efforts are in vain because there are no better outcomes and it’s better to use the hard and slow way of doing things.

How Tufekci Words Resonate with What Happens in Social Media Today

The words of Tufekci resonate with what is happening today in social media. For instance, nowadays a cell phone can be used to start a protest. Use of social media in organizing protests is rampant in the contemporary world because the speed in which information spreads is very fast such that even a single email might start an international awareness campaign. Despite not achieving successful outcomes today’s social media protests are not that people fail to take risks as before. Nevertheless, the movements lack the capacity of working and thinking together which can be built after a long period. Therefore, for social media protests to be successful the protesters need to move beyond participation, think together, create political proposals and leverage.

Replying to Lord Abdullah

I agree with Abdullah that Tufekci argument is the use of social media in branching out, being social and interactive rather than isolated and lonely. Abdullah indicates that parties have online and offline discussions for those aspiring in turning proposals and decisions into actions through administrative laws. According to Abdullah, Tufekci intends her message to reach the Turkish government’s censorship because the talk is more focused on administration suppression. For instance, Tufekci purpose is getting organized on how individuals are using social media in organizing protests.

Lastly, Abdullah gives its own opinion that media ensures social growth instead of loneliness. Abdullah indicates the personal relations to Tufekci argument since he is pretty shy when meeting strangers. Nevertheless, when online on Facebook or snapchat Abdullah is more confident in what he says and feels more confident and better in continuing a conversation as well as opening herself to being funnier and shyer. Abdullah concludes that Tufekci did an excellent job in convincing him that social media was helping rather than hindering.

Replying to Sandren Khammo

I agree with Sandren that nowadays a single tweet or an e-mail can start a worldwide protest. Sandren indicates that according to Tufekci online campaigns and protests do not last although they can increase. When today’s protests are contrasted to the 1960s classical civil rights movement, they have no impact like the past one’s despite having media like Twitter. Sandren shows that social media paradoxically weakens ideologies just the same way it empowers them due to the reason that there are many protests, but little change is noticed. According to Sandren, Tufekci is addressing and comparing today’s society with the early days when there was no social media as well as from a political view where technology can help politicians grow but not win elections. Therefore, for all these online developments achievements are not relative to the motivated size and vitality meaning that the expectations are misaligned with what is accomplished. Sandren concludes by indicating that Tufekci is right because of the recent turn out of events where social media is bringing less actual effect than the intended impact it was meant to achieve

Work Cited

Zeynep Tufekci, TEDGlobal. Online Social Change: Easy To Organize, Hard to Win, 2014. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/zeynep_tufekci_how_the_internet_has_made_social_change_easy_to_organize_hard_to_win?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=tedspread