Silencing Our Opinions

I believe the spiral of silence theory can play a huge effect on how people use social media. Social media makes it easy to gauge how many people are able to view your thoughts. Whether it’s the amount of friends you have (Facebook) or followers (Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, etc.), knowing these numbers can play a factor on voicing minority opinions. Online, I can see how users may be able to easily see the diversity of opinions within their social circles. Users will be able to see whether people are for or against their opinion. By knowing this, people can choose their battles, and if people oppose their minority opinion, then this leads into the spiral of silence theory. When looking at one's social circles, people may also surround themselves in an echo chamber. This chamber makes it to where they only voice their thoughts when they know that other people are able to reinforce it. It makes this cookie cutter template as to what is the “norm." It doesn't allow different opinions to be introduced, and this isn't conducive to the idea of change. Only allowing majority opinions to surface isn't vital to progressing in society. 

By conforming to the majority opinion, possibility for change is significantly hindered. It creates this notion that there will always be one correct thought, and anyone opposing it must be wrong (reminds me of the exuding patriotism in the “Buying the War” video). I believe that people need to voice their opinion, even if it’s in the minority. In order to better formulate an opinion, I believe that people need to be introduced to different perspectives. Even if it makes one feel isolated or alone, receiving feedback is a necessity to forming an identity and to grow as a person.