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?
BRITTA HOFFMANN: We got access to internet about in
the year 1998/99 –I soon discovered discussion boards
online, and messengers as a possibility for communication. It was fun to get to
know new people from all over the world, and have conversations with a group of
friends.
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?
BRITTA HOFFMANN: One of
the biggest advantages of the connection all over the world is, that good
messages and informations can be spread and read quickly anywhere. But since
the internet is only a tool, it depends on us what kind of messages will be
spread – so it also could be bad messages and informations we don’t want or
need. We can communicate, which allows us to get into contact with many
different cultures, so we can forget prejudice and talk with people directly
about the matters that interest us – as long as we follow certain rules, such
as respect for each other.
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?
BRITTA HOFFMANN: In
former times, people also didn’t need any approval or approbation to publish –
it was simply necessary that they could write. I myself didn’t study, because I
didn’t have the opportunity to. I think, if someone has a message they really
want and need to spread, they should give it a try. But I would recommend to
read the comments, to find out what people think about the work. Constructive
criticism is welcome, because it helps to find a good way of writing.
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?
BRITTA HOFFMANN: I
believe that time will show who has talent, who keeps on writing and is getting
better at it, and who is not. Someone who can’t stop writing, because they have
something important to say, is a writer. But an artist is not someone, who is
calling themselves one – it is others who decide if somebody is an artist.
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?
BRITTA HOFFMANN: It
depends on the messages which are being spread – so it depends on us. We should
work on our way to communicate, on the languages we use, so that there are as
little misunderstandings as possible.
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?
BRITTA HOFFMANN: I think
that more work should be done to make people aware of the possibilities of any
media – there are still a lot of people which are not aware of possible
dangers, or of possible positive influences that social media can have.
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?
BRITTA HOFFMANN: Often I see when people are spreading
positive messages, but I also can see that people, who are hiding behind their
online names, are posting messages of hate, which are full of negativity. These
person are not discussing – they simply are giving way to their feelings,
without even giving reasons. I hope,
these persons are a minority – but because of their way of posting, they get
more attention. If someone, who is trying to do something positive must give
reasons for doing so, I believe, for spreading negative messages, these persons
also should give their reasons. Like anyone who is trying to influence in a
positive way, they also should be willing and able to discuss their opinion. If
not, they shouldn’t be given attention…
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 your own
experience?
BRITTA HOFFMANN: I have
a real life, a real family and real friends, which mean a lot to me. I am using
social media to stay in contact with them, if they live far away. I also have
friends who I got to know online, some of them years ago…So I think that we
must get to be aware that behind each computer is a real person, but that it
takes a long time and many communications to get to know each other better.
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?
BRITTA HOFFMANN: I don’t
think that the rules of social relationships really have been broken, but that
they have been widened, because each person can appear online as who they wish
to be. Some of them think that they can behave in whatever way they like – but
they need to be shown they are wrong. Maybe we need to find more common
standards to avoid misunderstandings.
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?
BRITTA HOFFMANN: I
indeed believe that communication is needed to bring the human kind closer
together – through friendships, discussions and more understanding for
different cultures. But we need to stay open-minded so we can see the positive
in other cultures, and also face problems of our own culture.
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?
BRITTA HOFFMANN: Before
changing something, persons must be aware of the problem. Any problem should be
seen from many different sides, so before building an opinion, anyone should
get themselves informed.
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?
BRITTA HOFFMANN: I have
family and friends, with who I try to stay in contact using social media. I
think that they are a tool that can be used in both, positive and negative way,
but that in the end, it depends on us. My opinion is, that in the future, most
people will use social media as a part of their social life, as a possibility
to communicate.
BRITTA
HOFFMANN: POET
We sincerely thank you
for your time and hope we shall have your continued support.
Aparajita Sen
(Editor:
Songsoptok)
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