Post 4, Library 2.0 participation, interactivity, technology

 Why do we have this urge to complicate things? Or maybe that is a frustrated cry of an over-stimulated brain cells? Guess so... 

So what is a Library 2.0? We owe that now widespread name to a certain Michael Casey who derived it from Web 2.0 

That has a lot to do with new way to use media and World Wide Web. It is no longer a mere source of information, it is a whole new world of interaction in any possible way. It is no longer only the access, but participation, collaboration, instant feedback and creative community of users. 

It is divided by seven components of the phenomenon:

1) Interactivity

2) Users

3) Participation

4) Libraries and library services

5) Web and Web 2.0 

6) Social aspects

7) Technology and tools

Here, no place for digital illiterate, that is a service for a new breed of consumers, who know what they want and how to get it. But fear not, there are always helpful hands everywhere, discovery learning programs and sites that guide the newcomers through the maze of a new, digital knowledge. 

some www that help

https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/00220410910970294/full/html?skipTracking=true

http://www.ala.org/tools/atoz/library-20

Post 3 / social distancing, divisions, youth issues

 Social media considerations/issues

The biggest issue I see is the social stratification. Social media are creating bubbles of information and content according to a person profile and interest, and in accord with what she/he is viewing. Therefore, there are many groups living in totally different reality, being shown totally different content. That will create tensions and clashes that transcend to the real life. Especially dangerous when inciting to crime, unrest, abuse and so famous right now, radicalization.

Another issue, which can be also a blessing in disguise, social media somehow remove many people inhibitions and social norms otherwise followed in real life. Therefore, many people are doing a thorough check and pruning in their various circle of friends, learn to keep distance from some, appreciate others more, and also, learning how to manage their own interaction. 

The biggest, however, is the issue of youngsters and kids on social media. That topic is frankly bottomless. Firstly, there is a problem of brain development and what Manfred Spitzer called a digital dementia, basically how the early use and overuse of digital media changes neural pathways formed in the brain during growth (and that is not a good news),  but that isn't the only thing. The mental and emotional strain and pressure on young people is huge. Take school bullying for example, before it ended at school, now it extends everywhere a kid goes. Followed by unrealistic images of self and society expectations (did you know there are some unwritten rules how to make selfie and any deviation from that might result in social ostracism?). The rate of suicide and suicide attempt among youngsters skyrocketed just around time, when smartphones and internet access became ubiquitous. Something to follow closely. Which is hard considering how parents are made to slave away for long hours in their works, without time or energy, and mostly, without awareness and proper tools to tackle the problem. 

Post 2 / Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Forums, Discord.

 Social media platform.... or the lazy way to create content. Lazy way for the platform creators I mean. There are thousands of eager users, that will jump to virtually anything and start giving generously. Embroiling themselves into all sort of actions, activities, and, wait for it, embarrassment. Some smart and cautious, most reckless and with short fuse, using social media as a "free" therapy session. Or, for some, as a platform to create, to multiply their lives, to make an alternative, to play with possibilities. 

Some will be mostly enjoying Facebook, LinkedIn, Google(plus) - these are social networking creatures, some addicted, some casually browsing whenever they need. Totally unrelated to their lives, or on the contrary, deeply intertwined. 

Some will choose microblogging Twitter, Tumblr and that is quite politicized zone, I would say. Donald's favorite medium. And anyone who wants to express himself, but is in constant lack of time otherwise.

Some are more visual beings and chose YouTube, Facebook Live, Periscope, Vimeo for video sharing, and man, that can eat up your life... Even things that are otherwise very useful, one need a big discipline and a virtual sieve with a very small mesh. Or say goodbye to real life as you know it. 

For more busy people who still like colors and image, we have Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat. That is a vast ocean of inspiration, comparison, reality and un-reality check. To be used with caution.

And last, but not least, a whole array of internet Forums, that cater for every need and every group imaginable. And those hard to imagine. Basically a heaven for verbal incontinence people but not only. For those of few words too, that is the beauty of it. Themes are from all mish mash, like the Australian Whirlpool forums, to some specific, like "90 day fiancee" viewers, of babywearing community. 

One last that pop to mind, if you have children most likely, are forums for gamers, like Discord. Initially made for discussing various games in the privacy of the individual "rooms" accessible for few members only, it evolved into something much more, like all virtual creations do. 

Social media definition, post 1 /links

 Well, I've been asked what is social media . How to put it well and give it justice? It is a great, scary and exciting vortex that can be deadly, or... quite useful. It has that great capacity to connect you with impossible to connect otherwise, to entertain and inform, to engulf you completely in the depth of so many dimensions your head starts turning, and you start to experience all sort of symptoms, physical and quite imaginary. It can steal your time, your reality, your sanity - if you're not careful. It can transport you anywhere in the world, it can inspire you, find good souls and friends in the most unusual places, give you inspiration and turn your life around. It has great sparkly places, dark, and cobwebbly corners, and plenty of, let's admit it, quite boring places. 

It is an adventure right at the click of the mouse... or touchpad. Enter key enabled. 

For beginners, intermediates and quite advanced. For bored to death and with no idea what to do and where to go next, to the very focused and specific creatures.

So, let's begin. 

The most obvious, obviously, here it is: An FF or Famous Facebook. long ago, a closed circle of friends, where you could go only thanks to an internal invitation (been there, done that), now, open to everyone. 

Enter at your own risk. 

https://www.facebook.com/

And for really interested wormbooks, or should I say, networms? here are links to study up close, or be prepared for what's ahead:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media

https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/social-media

 First virtual steps can be wobbly. You need to arm yourself with patience and lots of humor. Everything gets easier and better with time, even horrible or embarrassing moments, with time get that aura of quirkiness and hilarious vibes. 

To be continued...