Writing 150 Draft, based on recent international media events

From Facebook to Freedom: Promoting Democracy and Defeating Tyranny through Social Media

In the time it will take to read this, millions of people will log on and/or off a social networking site such as YouTube, Twitter, or Facebook. Most of these conversations will probably be rather meaningless and likely would not have happened otherwise. Yet what about that small proportion of conversations that do mean something? Could a Facebook events page or mass message in any way create change?

It was admittedly a rather ordinary February when Kony 2012 suddenly materialized on the Facebook walls of America. However, within a matter of days it seemed to take the nation, particularly the youth, by storm. Suddenly every internet-savvy individual became either a critic or a social activist. This thirty-minute video, found on YouTube and Vimeo, generated enough pathos to give added momentum to conversations about foreign policy. It seemed to electrify the people of the United States into remembrance that they were still the leading world nation, that were a people with a loud voice, that what they said truly mattered, and that if they honestly could unite to a cause they could potentially accomplish a lot throughout the world. After the successful Egyptian revolution that was, in part, organized online through social media, the question had arisen on what role new media would play in the changing world and this question only amplified with this new campaign to capture a man wanted for crimes against humanity. The critics of this campaign argue that “liking” a page will not create change, liking a page will not capture Joseph Kony. In these assumptions, they are right, to a point. Surely, knowledge is power but that power is useless unless it inspires action. However, the power of the human will is such that if a people stand united with a firm belief in their cause, it is difficult to defeat them. Social media, through each interpersonal connection, can inspire the masses to rise up for causes they believe in, empower people to advocacy and action, and, ultimately, generate enough influence to change the course of events of this world.

P.S. To all those reading let me assure you that I do remember that Sister Steadman said to save the introduction for last. However, I had already written this a week ago and am currently in the process of writing the 2.5 prescribed pages of body paragraphs that were to be posted today. Those will be up by the end of today, but I figure that, so no one is left waiting, I could put up this instead for your comments and corrections. Thank you very much and have a fantastic Friday.

P.P.S. The italicized portion is my thesis statement. I'm not sure if an intro can/should be two separate paragraphs but I figure why not try it out?