lecture 10 book chapter 1 Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is the central thesis of ‘To Know Is to Compare’?
That meaningful knowledge about social media arises from systematic comparison across nations, media, and platforms.
What are the three main limitations in current social media research identified by the authors?
Focus on single countries (often in the Global North), single media types (isolating social media), and single platforms (mostly Facebook or Twitter).
Why is single-country research problematic in social media studies?
Because social media platforms transcend borders and single-country studies cannot capture global dynamics of interaction and diffusion.
What does ‘platform affordance’ mean in the context of political communication?
The ways a platform’s design enables or constrains certain user behaviors and communication patterns.
How do prior media forms influence social media use?
Social media evolve by remediating older media forms, such as diaries, radio, and television, shaping design and user practices.
What is the notion of ‘repertoires’ in media use?
The idea that users build consistent patterns of platform use, forming a constellation of meanings and practices across media.
How do the authors define the idea of ‘media ecosystems’?
An environment where platforms coexist and interact, shaping and being shaped by user behaviors and each other.
What does ‘methodological nationalism’ refer to?
The bias of studying media phenomena as if they are confined within national borders, ignoring transnational flows.
Why is it important to compare across platforms?
To avoid deterministic views and reveal how users’ practices vary with platform structures and cultural contexts.
What are the principles of comparative research in social media?
Cross-national, cross-media, and cross-platform comparisons that foreground global diversity and contextual specificity.
How do platform affordances influence political communication and interaction?
Different platforms (e.g., Twitter vs. TikTok) promote varying styles of discourse, visibility, and audience engagement, affecting political strategies.
How do political actors engage with different media ecosystems?
They adapt their messaging to fit platform norms, using visual, emotional, or viral content to maximize reach and resonance.
How can misinformation be shaped by platform differences?
Algorithms, virality structures, and content moderation vary by platform, affecting how and where misinformation spreads.
Why is a de-westernized approach important in comparative research?
It avoids bias by including diverse global experiences and highlights structural and cultural differences in media use.
