Facebook: The power of popularity
‘Power as I understand it, is a relational
effect of social interaction’ (Allen, 2003).
Social interactions
on social networks allow people to gain power and in a sense, authority over
others. This is due to certain interactions and relationships they gain within
these networks (Kuttainen, 2013). This power can be of a particular kind, such
as domination or coercion (Allen, 2003).
During weeks 3-8 I
have chosen to focus on the social network, Facebook, that I have been part of
for approximately four years. When I first got Facebook I was instantly
disempowered due to the lack of ‘friends’ and photos I had as I was primarily
using it for a game on the network, not for social purposes. As the years
progressed I became familiar to the social networking of Facebook and how power
has a place within this network.
The amount of friends
you have, the amount of likes you get on a photo or statues, or even how many
people share your statues or photos all comes into play when talking about
power on Facebook. Just because of the amount of likes or friends you have, how
does this give you more power and authority over others on this network?
Recognition. Allen (2003) said, “Authority, as I have said, is a peculiarity
distinctive act which works through recognition”. We as Facebook users
recognise these people that get over 200 likes on their photos, or make 10
statues a day and by talking and looking at these peoples profile. We are
recognising these people, therefore giving them power and domination to this
social network.
This power is unequally
distributed (Kuttainen, 2013) when comparing an individual who has 300 friends
to a person who has over 1000 friends. Or comparing a person who uploads a
photo and gets 100 likes compared to someone who gets 10 likes. Who has more
power? The person with the most amount of likes on their photo with comments
such as “OMG you look amazing”. It all comes down to the power of popularity.
Reference list:
Allen, J. (2003). Lost
geographies of power. Malden, MA: Blackwell..
Kuttainen, V (2013) BA1002:
Our Space: Networks, narratives and the making of place, Lecture 2: Power. [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://learnjcu.edu.au
Image credits:
I completely agree, without recognition on a networking site such as Facebook, the person seeking ‘likes’ or ‘shares’ has no power whatsoever. If every single individual person stopped interacting with each other online, there would be no social interaction, and therefore no power shift in relation between each person and another (Allen, 2003). The site would be pointless, unneeded and powerless. Power is not simply something you have, other people give you power by giving you attention; in the same way an entertainer would run out of work if people stopped watching his shows. Although people with authority enforce their power on others, such as Police Officers and Government representatives, their power is heightened and increased by the fact that they are respected and feared. Power works in many different ways, some of the ways it can function are very strange and complex, but it exists and surrounds us none the less.
ReplyDeleteReferences:
Allen, J. (2003). Lost geographies of power. Malden, MA: Blackwell.