Social Networking: changing our world for the better

In the article entitled How the Web Can be Harnessed for Social Good, author Adam Conner discusses how the social web connects people with family, friends, causes, and interests, while organizing information and taking action in ways not possible before. The article focuses on how this changes people's relationship with the government and non-profits, as well as altering the way people approach the world's challenges and engage in taking action. It speaks of MDGs and how these social sites have greatly affected the concept of Millennial Development Goals.

Overall, i feel that this article shows how social networking like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc. has become a form of tactical media. It is a way for us to make a change in the world and keep people updated on everything from a needed citizen response to natural disasters. Its true that many people have had a negative response to these sites by seeing them as a waste of time, a stalkers playground, or a loss of real life communication. However, I agree with this article that social networking has had a greatly positive effect on our society today. Not only has it greatly helped the world to connect with each other, but it has helped create cause for taking action and changing our world for the better in times of conflict and disaster. Especially in these rough times with poverty levels rising, natural disasters becoming a common occurrence, and warfare, I find that social networking is a way to make our lives simpler and allows the everyday citizen to get involved.