World Changing Through Web 2.0

Just today I updated my Facebook status with this question: ‘Can we change the world for real?’ I asked this to my 700 or so friends. About 3 of them responded affirmatively almost instantly. Their responses echoed a resounding yes. But then one friend’s response begged to differ. This was what she said: Changing the world...ideally possible, realistically impossible. Follow –up questions and retaliations ran through my mind and I was tempted to answer in a lengthy comment. But I decided on writing this blog post instead.

I’d say Web 2.0 is magic. What’s more magical than having 700 people at your fingertips? And that’s just me and my Facebook account, my personal blog and twitter. Countless others have proven the power of New Media. Penelope Trunk, a very influential career blogger has 40,000 people subscribed to her trademark “my life disguised as career advice” posts. In my country, celebrities are hounded by hundreds of thousands of followers. The key is connecting people. By connecting users from different areas in the world, each is given a voice. This voice can share her favorite music or her opinion on politics but just the same, someone will always listen with their eyes. Isn’t that empowering and comforting at the same time? No matter what time it is, anywhere in the world. Someone will always listen with their eyes.

Within the past two years, Social Media has experienced an explosion in users and usage. More people are occupying the global village we call the Internet. Barriers are torn down, lines are blurred and suddenly there are no more walls to separate us from our fellow people. All it takes now is a flurry of typing on the keyboards and one click to publish. Here, we unite in our similarities and unite in our differences. We, as women are no longer bound to traditional roles or double standards. Through New Media, we can make our voice as big as we want it to be. Through the words, videos, music that we share online, women are given a platform in which they can fully express their opinions and interests with their trademark sincerity. Every time we share a bit of ourselves through blog entries, video logs and the like, we open ourselves up to friendship, to networks, to connections. A blog entry on reproductive health issues published in the Philippines might be read by a girl sharing the same sentiments in Sweden. Through comments, they connect and form a collaboration in which they can help the women in their respective areas about proper education on reproductive health. It’s about building a community and nourishing these relationships formed.

Now that makes Web 2.0 and Social Media instrumental in changing the world. Can we change the world for real? I pondered again on my question. I conclude with a yes. As we have seen, little by little through our combined efforts, the world is changing right before our eyes.