SONGSOPTOK : The internet
revolution has deeply impacted our modern society that can be compared to the
discovery of electricity. Today we can’t think of the internet without the
social media. When and how did you first discover the social media?
SWAPAN DEB: It is probably in the year 2000. I started
using internet through mobile GPRS and there were a lots of mobile chatting
sites. I found only a few of Indians in these chatting
sites but a huge number of people from Philippines, South Africa and Israel
were using it. It was not in the form of social media as we are seeing now but
there were some open chat rooms. I can clearly remember that a baby from south
Africa had fallen from a four storied building and her mother was a friend of
mine. I managed a doctor to visit her and take care of the baby by this
chatting site immediately.
SONGSOPTOK : As far as
interpersonal relationships are concerned, the power of the social media today
is undeniable, allowing us to communicate in real time across the globe. What
is your opinion about this? What are its advantages & disadvantages?
SWAPAN DEB: Every invention has the potential to help
mankind or to destroy it. It depends on the intention of user. Social media is
a great platform to connect to the world. It helps us to embrace people from
different background regardless of their caste, nationality, religion and
culture.
SONGSOPTOK : We have noticed
that social media has become a powerful vector for personal expression and
creativity, because we no longer need the approval or approbation to publish.
Our creativity has found a new channel for addressing a global audience. What
is your opinion about this?
SWAPAN DEB: I absolutely agree with that. Do
we really need a gatekeeper to give one access to the world of creativity?
Social media gives one the independence to feel empowered with their creativity
and share it with the world.
SONGSOPTOK : In this context,
it is also true that any and everybody today can claim to be a writer, a poet,
or an artist on any number of social media. We no longer have a standard for
appreciating true talent – a role that was played by editors or different types
of experts. What is you point of view? Do you think that the power of social
media have served to create more charlatans than proper artists?
SWAPAN DEB: I do not think so. I believe everyone has the
right to express their thoughts and creation. But only ones with real talent
get noticed. Mao-tse tung said, “ let hundred flowers bloom, let hundred
thoughts participate in a competition”. We should have more trust and respect
on the judgement of our readers.
SONGSOPTOK : Would you say
that the social media has contributed to bringing societies and cultures across
the globe closer? If not, what can be done to make it a more powerful tool?
SWAPAN DEB: I do feel so. Social media has the potential to
bring the world closer and to override the barriers of social, cultural and
religious differences.
SONGSOPTOK : Would you say
that in general the users of social media are actually aware of its potential,
both in the positive and negative sense? In other words, do you think that the
average user is aware of the possible reach of social media and the
consequences it may have? What is your own experience?
SWAPAN DEB: I think user need to learn more about the
power and also the threats of social media. While we should use Social media to
express our thoughts and share our beliefs with the world, we should be more
cautious about the misuses. There are many security features that can help
users to reduce those threats. People need to be more aware of those features.
SONGSOPTOK : Social media is
often considered to be a true reflection of human society. What is your
opinion? How would you evaluate the image you see today in the context of the
society you live in? How true or false is the reflection?
SWAPAN DEB: I sometime feel people can be more candid in
social media in terms of expressing their thoughts, than in their real
life. In our real life we deal with many
constraints. Social media works as a virtual world to give people opportunity
to live a life they want to, rather that they are forced to. For example, we
see more protests in Social Media that we see in real life. So I would not say
social media is a true reflection of human society.
SONGSOPTOK : The advent and
the trivialization of social media is today’s society seem to be have erased
the difference between virtual and real. Would you agree? What is you own
experience?
SWAPAN DEB: I agree to an extent on your observation.
People are more engaged in the virtual world even when around real people. Most
dinner tables, now a days, have a family sitting around checking their social
media updates rather than connecting with their family or friends and enquiring
about the days proceedings. People have lost the will to connect personally as
they find more comfort in the confines of the virtual world. Maybe, because the
virtual world allows them to express themselves without filters and social
norms.
SONGSOPTOK : In your opinion,
has social media contributed to breaking down of traditional rules of social
relationships? In what way? How would you analyze the impact of social media in
this context?
SWAPAN DEB: Social media has definitely had a big impact
on traditional social relationships. You can choose to look at the positive or
the negative sides of it, if you really sit down to analyze it. On the other
hand, it has limited real time human interaction which existed previously.
People are more awkward around each other compared to yesteryears. Everyone has
developed a personal space around them and people do not like any encroachment
on it. Probably because, they find comfort of social acknowledgement in their
virtual lives and their virtual worlds. Alternatively,
social media has brought families and friends who live continents apart closer
as well. You can just choose to call your family over skype, whatsapp, FB
messenger ( and its all free or very cheap ) or you can just look up their
social media updates and get an idea of how their day is going and where they
are up to via pictures, tweets, videos, status message updates shared by them.
There are always two sides to story, the question is, which side do you want to
believe?
SONGSOPTOK : Do you believe
that social media can play a constructive role for world peace and unity? Or on
the contrary play a totally negative role by fuelling existing conflicts
between nations and communities?
SWAPAN DEB: Social media is definitely a double edged
sword and one must use it carefully and judicially. Being a man of positive
thoughts, I would rather like to think, social media can be a great harbinger
of peace, unity and human collaboration towards common good. Let me provide a
small example here; One fine day, I came across a post where a friend shared a
post of his friend in dire need of money for treatment of their daughter as
they were going through tough phase in life. The bills were piling up and they
could not keep up with the expenses. I decided to spend some time on it and
monitored the post for a few days. To my utter surprise, there were people who
did not know the person in need personally at all but were offering financial
and other kind of helps just because the subject touched them all. I myself
made a decent monetary contribution to the family in need after verifying the
truth behind the unfortunate situation the family was forced into, and I did
not know that family at all. What does this tell you? Does it not show the
power of social media, where group of unknown people came together to help
towards a common good cause?
SONGSOPTOK : How effective can
be the role of social media as a tool of protest and action against all sorts
of social ills and injustices?
SWAPAN DEB: Social media can be a terrific
tool to protest and expose wrong doings and all other social ills our society
is currently reeling under. However, it does also bring to you only one side of
a story. We as humans are quick to jump to conclusions and judge people. You
don’t want to label someone as a thief, drunk or eve teaser based on one side
of the story. There are people who can cook up stories and false situations
just to garner social recognition, money and popularity. There have been quite
a few instances of them in the past six months. With great power come great
responsibility and its up to us to exercise the power with responsibility.
SONGSOPTOK : Lastly, we would
like to know the impact of social media, if any, in your own life. What kind of
journey has it been? What are your own expectations about the evolution of
social media?
SWAPAN DEB: I must admit, I spend half of my
day on the web either reading up new things or visiting various social media
platforms to catch a glimpse of the ever evolving virtual world that
encompasses and captivates our society and fellow human beings. I personally
have gained quite a few friends and accomplishes over a period of time, thanks
to Facebook and various other social media communities. I would consider social
media to be a boon as long as people do not forget their roots and also try to
enjoy a life beyond and outside the virtual world. I would not be surprised if
in the near future, literature, education, medical science, sport and all other
segments of our lives find their way into the world of social media and all
social transactions take place on it as well. Only time will tell if that takes
the race forward or if it limits our social senses and makes us human islands
incapable of real human interactions and emotions.
SWAPAN DEB: A WRITER, THINKER, POLITICAL SUFFERER,
EX REVOLUTIONARY AND SOCIAL ACTIVIST.
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