Our Digital Society Needs One Thing

We live in a society dominated and powered by digital communication. Indeed, we are part of a Digital Society, one composed of powerful voices, each proselyting diametric views. There are many ignored voices that deserve and need to be heard.

These voices can only be heard if change happens. Our Digital Society has the potential to spur change or inhibit change, based on the way each of us decides to act. We need to be aware of the way we use digital media so that we can understand where we might better society through our use of technology.

Here are three ignored voices that you need to hear: 

1. Change in the integration of technology in the learning process;
2. Change in the toleration of radicalism online; and 
3. Change in the media's perception of women.

Tolerating Today's Tolerance

While tolerance serves to combat radicalism, tolerance can fuel radical ideas as well. Today's social climate indicates that we must rethink the way we utilize social media, in order to preserve a truly tolerant environment.

Tolerating Today's Tolerance (V2)

While tolerance serves to combat radicalism, tolerance can also fuel radicalism. Today's social climate indicates that we must rethink the way we utilize social media.

Digital Society E/Affects: Womanhood, Education, and Tolerance

Our digital society is made up of many parts, similar to a pie. Technology doesn’t just include social networking and funny YouTube videos, that is just the cherry on top. The real meat of it includes politics, education, co-collaboration, and overall social progress. We have chosen three parts of this pie that we feel passionate about and want to share with you in our short group video.

Tolerating Tolerance: A Video Claim

I've embedded below my video claim regarding the link I'm exploring between tolerance and radicalism:

I initially planned on sharing it via Facebook, but I ran into a rather interesting dilemma: my claim can seem rather prejudiced if not fully developed or explained. Ironically, the very idea that overly tolerant social media platforms fuel radicalism prevents itself from being circulated on these channels.

I may seem like I'm overreacting, but I can honestly see several "friends" lashing out against my claim. I realized that I was so concerned about political correctness and didn't want to appear as a bigot, that I wasn't willing to post my idea online.

Hopefully I'm not the only one that sees the irony here.

Anyways, I shared my claim with old roommates, my family, and coworkers. That way, nothing could be taken out of context. I'm still waiting on replies, and will update my post with feedback.

Tolerating Tolerance

I am experimenting with certain online animation apps to express my growing understanding between tolerance and radicalism. I've iterated several times already, relying mainly on text-based formats.

My new video format, while more interactive, is also incomplete. It requires a lot more time to compile. I'm hoping that future iterations will develop both my story and the actual video.

Future Goals:

• Incorporate more of the digital literacy aspect
• Experiment with voiceover and audio tracks
• Experiment with new forms of animation (colors, characters, objects, etc)

Tolerating the Wrong Kind of Tolerance

Communication constraints have always limited the potential of civilization. We generally view new forms of communication as an opportunity for society to evolve and improve. Today's social media platforms, however, are increasingly minimizing the feedback loop between people, cultures, and even ideas. "Radical" ideologies today seem to grab traction more than ever before, relying on the fact that universal tolerance is not just expected, but required.

After several years of internal debate, I finally formalize my struggle in the form of one question: while tolerance prevents prejudice and hate, does it also promote radicalism and, consequently, prejudice?

Tolerating Today's Communication Standard

I've explored the (possible) connection between radicalism and today's higher standard for tolerance. Today's ubiquitous communication mediums warn of prejudice and hate like never before. Facebook, blogs, online forums, podcasts, and other social media sites provide a personal and persuasive platform that previous generations never enjoyed.

These new tools provide an equally opportune environment for radicals who want to defend their beliefs, however drastic they may be. With the condition that tolerance is observed, society tends to turn a blind eye toward the radical.

While these communication platforms dramatically increase general awareness, they blur the already fuzzy line between tolerance and appeasement. Society is increasingly "tolerant" of behaviors and ideologies that were previously deemed immoral or even illegal. The fear of bigotry and prejudice inhibits courage to stand up for what's right.

Does Tolerance Promote Radicalism?

"My name is Alec Hammond, and I'm concerned about the abuse of tolerance through technology and digital communication. Perhaps you should be concerned too."