The effect social media has had on society as a community is immense due to how easily one can connect to millions of people on a certain subject, and the expansion of value it has brought to the voice. Similarly, in Kate Crawford’s, “Following You: Disciplines of Listening in Social Media”, Crawford demonstrates how social media has significantly changed the dynamics of listening and speaking for the world. Specifically, Crawford does this through highlighting that this current age could be viewed as the era that the world has been most connected to each other than ever before, providing the opportunity to listen to one’s voice unlike before. For instance, “In my view, social media powerfully invoke an efficient listening subject, drawing together the divergent spaces of modernity in one location- while simultaneously creating a gap between this ideal and what is humanly imaginable” (80). Additionally, Crawford emphasizes how social media provides people the opportunity to be heard and gives the power of the speaker to document their beliefs precisely. For instance, Crawford discusses the rise of politicians using social media as a source to connect to their followers. As Crawford states, “In Henry Jenkins and David Thorburn’s Democracy and New Media, the authors argue that the internet ‘is politically important because it expands the range of voices that can be heard in a national debate, ensuring that no one voice can speak with unquestioned authority’ (81). Although the piece was published in 2009, there is a plethora of evidence to support Crawford’s claims. As time goes on, dependence to social media increases to the point where it is viewed as a necessity to some and it must be adapted to their lifestyles.
