Today's Public Sphere

I do believe that in fact in today's society online platforms are functioning as public spheres. This has both it's positive and negative effects in my opinion. People from different races, cultures, and backgrounds all come together on social media platforms and discuss details about themselves that others may not have known and also it is seen as a safe haven for many to get their views out into the world without anyone judging them or making them seem as though they don't matter. As their pieces make their way through the online forum it is received by others in a variety of ways. Some agree with their thoughts and react positively by joining their movements and initiatives for change, and on one end others ridicule their thoughts and react and respond negatively.

This brings in the negative aspects of online forums being looked upon as major public spheres in today's society. Online platforms give individuals the freedom to not have to suffer consequences of the unjust words they use to represent themselves. There is no back and forth, there is no discussion to reach a compromisation. This in turns leads to more conflict online and in the real world. Online forums like social media represent freedom of speech and expression but do not fully represent discourse and empathy/compassion. So in turn, social media forums do not fully represent the definition of a functional public sphere and the fact that today's society is fully dependent upon it is a bit scary.

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