leadership in the new world?
We had a very enlightening discussion in my New Comm Tech class. My professor said "could it be that people are now following each other and not a leader?"
Look at whats happening in Egypt and the middle eastern countries. Look at how people have come together with out just one leader to change the structure. These people are standing up to some one who is officially appointed as the "leader"
Look at Facebook with more than 500 million active members online and over 700 billion minutes spent a month on the site. People are addicted to following other people, being in a network, becoming a part of a community.
Look at Twitter. Twitter attracts 14 million people in the US alone. Why do people like following others. Why do they think that they can more reliable information from a stranger rather than a news station (well.. hah I guess we all know the answer to that).
I think its a matter of choice and trust. People like that fact that they now have the ability to choose their own sources that are trustworthy to them.
I wonder what will happen in the future? Maybe we will have online communities where people come together in forums to vote for rules and regulations. Maybe there wont be one leader but rather a group that is will facilitate discussions. Maybe this is an extreme view but definitely not impossible right?
Look at whats happening in Egypt and the middle eastern countries. Look at how people have come together with out just one leader to change the structure. These people are standing up to some one who is officially appointed as the "leader"
Look at Facebook with more than 500 million active members online and over 700 billion minutes spent a month on the site. People are addicted to following other people, being in a network, becoming a part of a community.
Look at Twitter. Twitter attracts 14 million people in the US alone. Why do people like following others. Why do they think that they can more reliable information from a stranger rather than a news station (well.. hah I guess we all know the answer to that).
I think its a matter of choice and trust. People like that fact that they now have the ability to choose their own sources that are trustworthy to them.
I wonder what will happen in the future? Maybe we will have online communities where people come together in forums to vote for rules and regulations. Maybe there wont be one leader but rather a group that is will facilitate discussions. Maybe this is an extreme view but definitely not impossible right?
I agree with you I actually wrote a paper about it before. The book Democracy in America of the French author Alexis de Tocqueville written in the 19th century talked about it. I don't think it is a new concept of just our generation, but it is an American concept! In order to make change you need to first be part of a community who believe the same as you (political party for example). In the past we have seen leaders who make big changes on their own, but now it is almost impossible. No one would listen to you if you are the only one thinking that way simply because it is "undemocratic". The majority thought or idea always triumphs even if it is wrong. Conformity, can be seen even in the way people dress, people eat or people learn!
ReplyDeleteWe all have to go to college to learn and that diploma, approved by the community, is the only proof that you "learned". However, in the past one person can look for knowledge anywhere in the world and construct her/his own opinion and still be considered "educated".
I had an intersting discussion with David one time, he asked me: "If all people think that Arabs are terrorists, how could they be wrong Sara?" I answered: "Well, the majority is not always right" and he just laughed! He was right to laugh because it is hard to think of the majority of people being wrong!
Very good topic Sachie, I could talk about it forever but I'll leave space for others to comment.
Sara
Very interesting topic Sachie and i would like to post a phrase to think about it.
ReplyDelete* Some people were born to be leaders others to be followers.
Other than that, democratic is a prostituted word.
Finally, not because the majority thinks something is correct means they are right. I read this in a book from a southamerican author but i just can't remember his name. Sorry about that.
Most trends aren't sustainable Sachie. If today we are following each other, it's only a matter of time before we become a round table where everyone is on an equal plane and no one can make any decisions.
ReplyDeleteBut I don't really agree that there are no leaders, I think it is more the case that we have become our own leaders instead of doing as we are told.
To the comments...I don't think it matters if the majority is right. What matters is that there is a majority. And, fortunately or unfortunately, the majority does rule. I would even go as far as to say that in most cases it should rule. Because in most cases, and in the grand scheme of things, one person is only marginally smarter than the next. There are few enlightened leaders in the world, and apart from them, I don't think the rest of us have any more of a clue than our friends.
by the way...you definitely beat me to this topic..i have a draft saved with something similar..just couldn't figure out a punch line yet. :P