Passiveness no more

With the advent of internet, social media came into existence. It changed the entire nature of how people communicate with each other.

Source: HTW Chur

The audience, back in the time before the new media was introduced, was a passive one. They read the newspapers, listened to the radio, watched news and programs on televisions, but that was it. They could not voice their opinions right away. They had no way of interacting with the producers of the show, or even with the cast who they loved.

On the other hand, social media does the total opposite. The word ‘social’ itself means ‘relating to or involving activities where people spend time talking and doing enjoyable things with each other.’

Facebook is a very direct example of an active audience; an audience that sees themselves as a part of a conversation ‘rather than people who suck it all in.’ Actors, politicians, directors, athletes, everyone has a Facebook account/page where they update the happenings in their lives and converse with their followers.

The most recent option that Facebook provided was to go ‘live’ where the audience can post comments and ask questions and the person going live can answer their questions or comment at the same time.

It’s an active conversation rather than sitting passively in front of a television, watching a live program, and not being able to convey your opinion at that exact time.

Working on my blog gained me a lot of experience in having an active conversation. I am not a talker, but I can write well. Even then, I hesitate in expressing my opinion.

However, as I moved on, sharing my blogs and uploading videos on YouTube, it became normal for me to converse with my audience. They gave instant feedback that helped me to improve and also gave me ideas for what I can write on next.

Furthermore, the interviews that I took got shared by the interviewee on their Facebook page, which brought more audience for my blog, and more feedback and advice.

I got instant feedback and appreciation that helped increase my confidence. I once wrote an article that got published in Express Tribune Magazine. The only feedback that I got was the one from people to whom I showed the magazine. But online, I received it from a lot of people and that too instantly.

So, times have changed, and media has advanced. You get the result as soon as you upload it for the world.