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?
BENEDICTA RUIZ:
I am originally from the Philippines but now residing in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I have retired from my career as an Early
Childhood Educator here in Manitoba. Before immigrating to Canada, I was an
instructor at the Home Technology Department of the Mariano Marcos State
University located in Batac, Ilocos Norte, my home city.
Writing has been my hobby from my
early years and it has become a passion to this day.
I was invited by my niece in Pennsylvania to join the social media (Face Book)
around 2010, just to connect with family members. Not much was happening then,
only to send family pictures or send greetings on holidays, birthdays,
etc. There were hardly any link to
events, news and other information during that time. Social media has evolved tremendously
ever since and it is now readily available to everyone, using all forms of
technological gadgets of communications.
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?
BENEDICTA RUIZ: For me, personal communicating with friends
and family in real time is great. What would be negative is when there are
significant events being reported, the postings are so fast that somehow some
facts may not be true or distorted. This is a difference from the
“journalistic” points of view where facts are verified. There are sites without
valid credentials that report satirized versions of news, misleading others.
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?
BENEDICTA RUIZ: Very powerful indeed. I have been writing
poems and I started my poetry page, “Notes from the heart” in 2013 to post
them. I discovered many poetry groups so I joined some to share my writings. T
is a community page so I also feature other writers work and artistic
expressions, paintings and music from other artists.
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 playe[p think that the power of
social media have served to create more charlatans than proper artists?
BENEDICTA RUIZ:
I did notice a lot of people would join groups but not to post their
works. Some members just wish to collect
numbers... “friends and groups.” for whatever their motives are. Some also post comments to sell something or call attention for their
causes that are not related to artistic expressions. It is sometimes hard to distinguish the “real
poets” from those that simply want to voice out their concerns. However I also
noticed that many who I consider “real artists and poets” would join similar
groups which are administered fully well and that administrators have
guidelines for their group sites.
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?
BENEDICTA RUIZ: Definitely.
From my experience in posting to many groups there are many who are
liking my posts from countries and places that I have never heard of before. From the private chats with my new found
friends, we share culture and humorous stories too. Some respectable group sites have memberships
from all over the world and members are featured monthly or given honors and
awards during special events, for their
contributions. Some are featured in
anthologies and on line publications., an acknowledgment of their
creativity.
SONGSOPTOK : Would you say
that in general the users of social media are actually aware of its potential,
both in the positive finite 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?
BENEDICTA RUIZ: So far there are more positive consequences
than negative ones that I have experienced.
What I would consider negative is the breach of copyrights as it is so
easy to copy someone's works or ideas by many who can use it for their own
advantages. With the global popularity
there is no way to prevent these from happening and even if it is implied to
have intellectual rights to one's work... who really would impose the copyright
laws?
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?
BENEDICTA RUIZ: Social media is now the “reality” of our
society. It has evolved because of the
new technologies and knowledge of users.
Even a preschool child can access the internet nowadays. People want easy and fast access to
information and sharing nowadays.
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?
BENEDICTA RUIZ: Although what we accept as “real,” it is
sometimes trivialized as “virtual.” Again because of the way communication is
shared. Like when a post goes “viral”,
one touch of a button, the information will manifest in every corner of the
earth. Some people will create their own versions of the stories or photo-shop
a picture, etc. I agree that there is no more distinction between facts and
imaginary events at times.
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?
BENEDICTA RUIZ:
I agree that social media has affected social relationships to a high
degree. Some people specially the ones
who grew up with the new technologies do not communicate with others the way it
used to be. Instead of face to face verbal exchanges most people send text messages,
or call through their cell phones even just talking to a neighbor. Posting
instant pictures or messages can also have positive or negative impacts
depending on the intentions of the person doing so, whether to help others or
to harm.
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?
BENEDICTA RUIZ: It can work both ways. The call for peace and unity can be achieved
fast but how many people are willing to contribute their time and efforts to
heed the call? On the other hand there are people who recruit for unworthy
causes. People would agree to participate
either way because of their motives and vulnerabilities believing that they
would become “significant“ for their causes.
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?
BENEDICTA RUIZ: Social media can spark at any time to induce
mob reactions wherever and whenever there is a perceived injustice or social
ill, such as police unfair treatment of civilians, or walking for cancer
cure etc.
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?
BENEDICTA RUIZ:
Social media has impacted my life in a more positive light than I could
imagine. As I have said earlier, I use it to share my creative work, my poetry.
What I read from the information links, adds to my knowledge. Inspirational
quotes and verses have uplifted me when I am feeling down. I use the media as a
refuge from this busy world as I could identify myself with some of the
“written words.” Music videos and
humorous anecdotes to me are spices of a happy life available at any time and
chat lines are venues to connect with friends and family around the world
without spending so much on long distance calls. As long as I do not indulge in
it 24/7 I think I am okay with it.
BENEDICTA RUIZ: POET. ORIGINALLY FROM
PHILIPPINES NOW LIVES IN CANADA.
We sincerely thank you
for your time and hope we shall have your continued support.
Aparajita Sen
(Editor:
Songsoptok)
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