Creative and Intellectual Autonomy in the Age of Social Media Essay

Creative and Intellectual Autonomy in the Age of Social Media
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Creative and Intellectual Autonomy in the Age of Social Media
In The Gutenberg Galaxy: The Making of Typographic Man, McLuhan posits that technology is one of the most fundamental elements that shape culture and society in general. This has been evident in the 21st century following the rise of the internet. The internet has facilitated the invention of and access to a variety of social media platforms across the world. In this age of social media, traditional media as we know it has been weakened since a majority of people around the world have migrated to social media. Individuals are using social media to showcase their creativity by sharing their work on social media platforms. Companies are using social media for advertisement and to create a strong brand. Governments are also utilizing social media in creating awareness about certain social and political issues. However, social media has also led to increased reliance on the judgment and opinions of others, thus limiting the ability of people to think for themselves. This reliance, if not addressed, will continue leading mankind on a dangerous trajectory of conforming to social pressure. Developing creative and intellectual autonomy in the age of social media is, therefore, paramount for three major reasons. 
           First, social media promotes a false reality. As Min (2018) indicates people want to share a reality which, often, is polluted by false facts. I have, more than once, questioned my life decisions and experiences based on what I saw my friends post on social media. They depicted their life as perfect while it was far from perfect in reality. The comparison of one’s life with others on social media is often built on this false reality, yet it has the potential to affect how one feels or goes about their life. In the worst cases, the huge gap between reality and fiction on social media can cause depression when people compare their reality with what they see on social media. The same thing happens when it comes to making decisions because people want to make the same decisions as their friends on social media, who seem to be prospering. However, when people possess creative and intellectual autonomy, they will be able to make their decisions and form opinions without comparing what they think with what the world thinks, at least on social media.
Second, in the age of social media, it is easy to be alienated from th...