As my roommate and I camped out in our living room last night watching election coverage last night, we were also engaged as to what journalists, our friends and classmates were sharing. Social media contributes such a quick flow of information - we were watching statistics being reported as they happened. As Laura had TweetDeck open, and I had Facebook and Twitter up, statuses were being posted by the second. A Pew Research Study titled "Politics on Social Networking Sites" conducted just this fall states that 25% of social network users say social networks are important to debating or discussing political issues with others, and 25% say they're important to finding other people who share their views. Based on my observations last night, these numbers skyrocketed and I project that these percentages will be much higher in the upcoming months.
I kept wondering, what motivates us to post about our political reactions on Facebook and Twitter? It appears that people are seeking validation for their viewpoints, and only some wish to argue with the opposers. Does posting your view reinforce the idea that you are educated and involved in political issues? Or do people post to accommodate for their lack of involvement and understanding of what's actually going on?
Needless to say, I was pretty fascinated at how much my Facebook friends' and Twitter following's viewpoints radically differed. With a variety of friends from Mizzou, Chicago, the Greek community and church, there was a huge variety of statements made. Check out some examples of posts I saw, with overarching themes including:
These are real statuses I saw last night, in the above categories:I kept wondering, what motivates us to post about our political reactions on Facebook and Twitter? It appears that people are seeking validation for their viewpoints, and only some wish to argue with the opposers. Does posting your view reinforce the idea that you are educated and involved in political issues? Or do people post to accommodate for their lack of involvement and understanding of what's actually going on?
Needless to say, I was pretty fascinated at how much my Facebook friends' and Twitter following's viewpoints radically differed. With a variety of friends from Mizzou, Chicago, the Greek community and church, there was a huge variety of statements made. Check out some examples of posts I saw, with overarching themes including:
- Democrats, excited for Obama
- Republicans, specifically focusing on economic suffering because of Romney's loss
- Rejoicing in the completion of election results, focusing on Ohio's close race
- Acting fed up that people even post so astronomically on social media sites
Democrats
Viva Obama!
proud to have
re-elected a president who values human rights!!!
WOO OBAMA!!!! SO PROUD
TO BE AN AMERICAN!!!!! CELEBRATING FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA!!!!!!
Thank the good lord Barack Obama
is my president again!!!
Republicans
Well I suppose I should go to sleep before I vomit everywhere.
Great. Another 4 years
of being dirt poor.
GREAT...but we're still f***ed
Here's to another
trillion dollars down the drain at least each year for the next 4 years... I'll
drink to that, natty's of course, since that's all I'll be able to afford from
this point out.
One Big Ass Mistake
America...round two.
Trusting in the Lord
that His plan will prevail over any politicians plan for this country. With
that being said I will be making a very concerted effort to save money for my
future and hope that after the next four years our government will be
prosperous again.
Rejoicing in results- especially Ohio
God I love the people
of Ohio!
Ohio is like the glen
coco of all the states right now
WHAT UP
OHIOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! THAT'S MY STATE AND MY PREZZZZZZZZZZZ
Fed up
Seriously, I don't want to see
another election status until 2016.
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