Emerson’S Opinion Of Social Media. Ralph Waldo Emerson

In everything that I do I decide to go the road less traveled, I make the choice to see something in a different way than everyone else. I choose not to wear the same clothes as most people do, I choose to always say what is on my mind and I try my hardest to not let what people may think of me interfere with what I say I and do. I consider myself a non-conformist for these reasons. Even when it comes to culture: I would much prefer the independent, locally-owned video shop where I can find obscure movies to the gigantic Blockbuster. I don’t choose to listen to Popular music or buy the CD’s of artists being shoved down our throats by MTV. I choose to find my own flavor, to disregard the overwhelming majority to the best of my ability. My feelings go along with Emerson’s again in “Self-Reliance”: “A man is to carry himself in the presence of all opposition, as if every thing were titular and ephemeral but he.” Continuing on the subject of conformity Emerson provides the famous line: “Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.” Stressing again the view of answering only

When analyzing the role of social media in American society, several questions come to mind. What is social media and are these social media and networking sites helpful to the people of America; can these sites be used to enhance or do they intrude in the relationships people have with others, and can they be integrated into their daily lives successfully. As the world becomes more and more technology friendly, the internet has transformed into a place that nearly everyone can go to get away. With the constant click of a mouse for some is all it takes to relieve the stress of their day.

nonconformist” (Self-Reliance, 15), he took off the idea and went on to express the bold statement, “Imitation is suicide” (Self-Reliance, 3). David Henry Thoreau has beliefs similar to Emerson on the topic of conformity: “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he

In "Self-Reliance" Emerson talks about being disgusted by society. He believed that the individual mind, body, and spirit trumps society. According to the text, one of the reasons many flee from self-reliance to the comforting society of custom and tradition, is because of the need to appear consistent in the eyes of others. Every individual has a network of drives, beliefs, attitudes and desires, and are forever changing and developing. To stay true to this inner law means we need to be faithful to this character we hold, and contracdict

     Emerson’s writing focused on nonconformity and individuality. In his essay "Self-Reliance," he wrote, "Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind," and, "Whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist."

Nonconformity is someone who does not follow the generally accepted beliefs, customs, or practices. Although it is easy to conform, it is hard to be yourself, “It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude…” (Emerson 11). Emerson stated in his essay that a man must follow their own ideas and not conform to society like everyone else. He also believes that when you are self-sufficient it gives you the freedom to find out who you really are and this is when you become fully independent. When you conform to society you are like everyone else and that can make you happy, but all of the fame and fortunes can make you corrupt. That is why Emerson believes that living a life of nonconformity is best for one’s overall happiness. “Is it so bad then to be misunderstood? Pythagoras was misunderstood, and Socrates, and Jesus, and Luther, and Copernicus, and Galileo, and Newton, and every pure and wise spirit that ever took flesh” (Emerson 11). As Emerson compares these different philosophers, he explains that although nonconformity creates misunderstandings, it is also what makes you greater and different.

Emerson view of Transcendentalism and how he practiced it. Emerson had a very hands on view of Transcendentalism he thought that society should be involved in our actions. Society on the other hand has other idea shown in this quote here from Emerson’s “Self-reliance”, “The virtue of most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its adversion” (Emerson, p.g. 686 par 2). Emersion says when people conform they lose their time and their character that makes them who they are. He also says what would happen if people didn’t conform to society he said the people would be shunned like outcast. Emerson shows a way to conform to society and still be yourself in his example of helping others we are responsible for in a since like friends and family. Emerson says people must keep their obligations to those they are deemed responsible for, however these people do not have to agree with their statements or believes. Emerson shows his engagement in society in this quote here, “Emerson was influential in extending the interests of transcendentalists to include direct engagement with public affairs and politics, endorsing, for example, strong opposition to

Emerson believes that conformity turns men’s lives into a lie. Conformist men act other characters and do not represent their actual point of view. They are willing to be untrue to themselves just because they are influenced by the majority. Emerson says that it is effortless to be a conformist human and to live after the opinion of the majority and those people are no true men. Who wants to be “a man, must be a nonconformist (pg.56).”

For instance, Emerson's’ statement, “[a man] must be nonconformist” (Emerson par. 1) could be backed up by Romans 12:2a, which states “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Our lives, thoughts, and actions should not be influenced by the world’s views and beliefs, or even by what we think, as Emerson says in his essay. But, instead, we should be moulded by what Christ says, according to Deuteronomy 5:33, “Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days…” Along the same lines, Emerson says, “but the great man who in the midst of a crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” (Emerson Par. 2) Through Christ’s power, we are able to live inside the world, but not assimilate to it.

Social media has gained immense popularity, following increased access to the internet and technology devices including smart phones. Social media is used to denote platforms in which people build and share social connections; thus enhancing information sharing and interaction. Major examples include Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest and Instagram. Through social media, people can connect, interact and exchange information such as pictures, videos and other digital media by registering as users in these platforms and updating information affecting their lives on their profiles. When social media applications came into existence, these were mostly used for interacting and sharing with friends, relations and new friends acquired through these platforms. Social media has however been constantly abused, as people turn it into a ground to vent, lie, insult, bully or threaten others. The social networks no longer serve their intended purpose in the society and users have taken advantage of the free space to say whatever they want with no regard to how it affects others. People have used such domains to brandish their selfish acts and gains.

Electricity was first introduced to society hundreds of years ago; the way people communicate began to change in many different ways since then. New inventions helped people build more sophisticate tools to build better places to live and work. This new inventions changed the way we live now days; they make our lives much easier. In the decade of the 1920's when radio was first introduced to public, people begin buying it and using it more and more, as years passed by it become incredibly popular that most American families had a radio at their houses. They could spend hours with their families listening to music or their favorite shows. This was just the beginning of the revolution of social media.

At this very moment, there are thousands of people worldwide who are retweeting posts on Twitter, liking pictures on Instagram or posting a status on Facebook. Twitter, Instagram and Facebook are few of the many social media platforms that have become prevalent in our society. Because social media applications and websites allow users with easy access to communication with others around the world, individuals all across the globe are able to socially interact on a daily basis. Erving Goffman, Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert Mead, three of many sociologists who viewed society through the interactionist perspective, would use these daily interactions to make generalizations about society as a whole. The paradigm of symbolic interactionism reaches conclusion about different groups in society, generally by observing everyday social interactions. Accordingly, interactionists would view social media as an aspect of society that consists of constant social interactions that continuously influences and affects individuals and the whole of society.

Social media has become prominent parts of life for many young people today. Most people engage with social media without stopping to think what the effects are on our lives, whether positive or negative. Are we as a society becoming more concerned with Facebook "friends" than we are with the people we interact with face-to-face in our daily lives? What will the longterm effects of today 's social media use be? There are many positive aspects, but there are equally as many dangers that come with the use of sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google +, Tumblr, Instagram, gaming sites, and blogs. Social media has both negative and positive effects on society, it is up to the user to decide what impact they want to make. In order to make the right choices, we must dig in and research this topic thoroughly.

In “Self-Reliance,” Emerson explicitly states that “whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist” (827). Emerson urges his readers to think for themselves, rejecting the presumptions and traditions of the previous generations, if they should see fit to do so. Acknowledging the dangers of dissent, Emerson admits that “for nonconformity the world whips you with displeasure” (829). Nevertheless, a man cannot be enlightened if he relies solely upon the thoughts and presumed knowledge of those around him; as Emerson put so eloquently, “insist on yourself; never imitate” (840). The endorsement of individuality can be found everywhere in today’s society, and it is one message that seems to have been embraced as a part of American culture itself. As Emerson realized, people tend to be happier when they feel comfortable expressing their own opinions without

In today 's society, there are a multiplicity of tools derived from modern technology which has facilitated the form of communication among individuals. An example of this tool is none other than social network, the most powerful form of communication. Essentially, the world constant evolution over the years has triggered a high demand in modern technology and also changed the way humans interact. Social network, being the most influential weapon of our generation, has a great impact to impact in our lives both positively and negatively. Social network can be described as a computerized network created by society by individuals, companies, government, and many others to share information or interests, and also create ideas. In addition to, it can be used to find long lost family members, online dating, latest fashion trends, and as well as up-to-date news around the world. Social networking has become the fastest and easier form of communication among individuals across the globe. Subsequently, the shift in the social communicative landscape has resulted in the ability to get easy access to any social network account via cell phones, tablets, smart watches, and computers around the world. Today, many different news stations use social media to inform the public masses who necessarily have time to watch television. As a direct result, numerous fake news outlets whom use social networking sites such as Facebook to report fake news based on made up evidence. We are in the era