Media and Communication Week Three

Technology has impacted communication on all levels; personally, nationally, and globally. Some argue that the advancements have destroyed the sense of community, but ultimately technology has made global empathy a possibility. Jeremy Rifkin says, “Empathy is the invisible hand. Empathy is what allows us to stretch our sensibility with another so that we can cohere in larger social units. To empathize is to civilize; to civilize is to empathize” (Empathic Civilization). Empathy allows community to grow from two people to thousands; everyone is looking out for one and other because they are able to empathize with them. Technology makes empathy easier because it allows the viewer to physically see what others are going through. Rifkin explains this concept with recent events, “We have the technology that allows us to extend the central nervous system and to think viscerally as a family not just intellectually. When that earthquake hit Haiti and then Chili, but especially Haiti, within an hour the Twitters came out and within two hours some cell phone videos, YouTube; and within three hours the entire human race was in an empathetic embrace coming to  the aid of Haiti” (Empathic Civilization). Without social media horrific events went unrecognized on a global status. Even with newspapers, events were easily scanned over but with the influx of pictures, videos, and posts now the reader can easily step into others’ shoes globally which has increased the level of empathy around the world. These posts can help to start charities and get help to tragedies faster. To bring out the empathy that is in our DNA we need to establish it into our society. Rifkin explains, “To begin rethinking human nature to bring out our empathic sociability so that we can rethink the institutions of society and prepare the groundwork for an empathic civilization” (Empathic Civilization). To repress this natural tendency is only holding our goal of global empathy back, but if embraced empathy and communication will flourish with the improvements in technology. Technology can drastically improve our communication and empathy if allowed.

The advancements made with technology have made an impact on the way society communicates and interacts. Joseph Garner set out to text how democratization has impacted the empathy and community. Arguably, these improvements have taken the closeness that used to be depended on. Joe explains, “As a country we’re wealthy, diverse and technologically sophisticated yet some say we lost the sense of community” (Craigslist Joe). His 31 day challenge worked to test the empathy and kindness of complete strangers. The amount of technology use can isolate people from their communities, Joe states, “…it can be hard to relate to the struggles around me” (Craigslist Joe). Often it is hard to empathize with the community with so much information is being thrown at the viewer. With the introduction of the online community, people are able to find social groups, road trip company, even a place to stay. This opens the door to people who want to help but don’t quite know how to start. After his journey he was blown away with the kindness he experienced. Joe reflects, “Truly inspiring for humanity, to know that we can take care of each other” (Craigslist Joe). The growing popularity of the online social groups may seem to kill community but truly websites like Craigslist take community and put it online.