Utopian and Dystopian Perspectives on Social Media's Impact

This essay examines the impacts of social media on humanity through the lenses of utopianism and dystopianism. The essay begins by defining these two viewpoints, which are then used to analyze the positive and negative effects of social media. The discussion explores how different aspects of social media, such as communication, information sharing, and community building, can be interpreted through both utopian and dystopian frameworks. The essay references academic literature to support its arguments, discussing the benefits of social media like increased communication and collaboration (utopian view) and the drawbacks like potential for social isolation and data privacy concerns (dystopian view). The essay concludes by providing a balanced assessment of social media's impact, acknowledging both its advantages and disadvantages, and suggesting that a comprehensive understanding requires considering both utopian and dystopian perspectives.

Running head: UTOPIANISM AND DYSTOPIA
UTOPIANISM AND DYSTOPIA
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Discussion........................................................................................................................................2
Real life Assessment........................................................................................................................4
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................4
References........................................................................................................................................6

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Introduction
Utopianism and Dystopia are the two viewpoints that can be used for technology
viewpoint. This report discusses about the viewpoint that Utopianism and Dystopia has on social
media. A proper analysis of their viewpoint is performed.
Discussion
Technological Utopianism is based on the ideology that provides better assessment of the
premise which ensures that advancements in technology and science. A techno utopia is
considered as an ideology that relates to the benefits provisioning in case of the entire society
(Dorrestijn 2016). Solely operating of the benefits as well as well being of the citizens in the near
future are considered by the Utopian view. It have been seen that there have been issues
regarding the processing of discourse that is present in the processing of technologies in the
platform of social as well as cultural changes that are brought in. As per the Utopian view
regarding technology, they accept the fact that there might be issues regarding the technology
usage (Dickel and Schrape 2017). This aspect ensures that there might be arising of problems
that occur. However, it is also believed that there are advancements present in economic,
political as well as cultural advancements. It can be stated that the entire process was highly
positive in nature.
The basic principles that are present in the operational process is that technology will be
encouraging the best aspects of human nature (Lim 2018). The aspects that are considered in the
process is that communication process as well as collaboration section, along with community
structuration improves the processing community. Another principle that is considered in the

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section is that technology have been bettering the interpersonal communication process (Lim
2018). Hence wise it can be stated that proper relationship in between the team members can be
created. One of the major principle states that technology have been democratizes the entire
society. Gaining inevitable progress in the process have been another aspect that is considered.
Another principle states that the benefits received are unforeseen due to the usage of the
technology. Technology have been providing a higher efficiency (Nunez 2019). The most
important principle that is considered in the process is that with the help of implementation of
new technology will be eliminating the issues created by the older technologies.
Social media have been one of the important aspect that is considered in the operational
process. Utopia cyberspace have a high resemblance with the social media that is present today.
As per cyber utopianism, online communication have been emancipatory and hence wise internet
favors the oppressed in place of the oppressor (Paulus et al., 2019). As per utopianism, the major
aspect that is to be considered is that there is a proper collaboration, sharing information and
better bonding in between the community.
Again in case of Dystopia, it is considered that there are several issues in usage of social
media. As per the dystopia view of social media, it can be stated that it is all negative regarding
usage of social media. It is stated that due to the excess usage of social media, losing individual
control is suspected. As per this theory of Dystopia, social media can be treated as a major
method to oppress the common mass. It also states that social media and technology acts as a
false hope provisioning to the mass. It is stated that bringing in success and change have been the
focus point, however, what is received in the process is pain and inconvenience in daily working
process. As per the logic and theory of Dystopia, usage of social media have been affecting the

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society in a negative manner. It is also stated that there is a chance of substitution of relationship
due to heavy engagement of the social media. It have been seen that in recent times there have
been severe issues regarding excess engagement of individuals on the platform of social media.
This have been one of the major aspect that is to be considered (Heidingsfelder, Bitter and
Ullrich 2019). It can be stated that with every passing day, the society have been ending up in a
cyber dystopia. It is observed that there have been much more concerns regarding the
whereabouts of every individual on the platform of social media, rather than that of the normal
presence in the society. From the roadmap that have been seen in the process includes the fact
that there have been a drastic change in the lifestyle of every individual in a drastic way due to
the introduction of social media. As per this theory, the powerhouses have been gaining more
power. It have been getting easier for the powerhouses to oppress the mass in a better way
(Russo 2018).
The main reason of this process is circulation data that are not always correct. As per the
viewpoint of dystopia on social media, data that are being shared are not always true to the facts
and there have been issues regarding transparency in the data sharing process. This lack of
transparency in the data sharing process have been one of the major issue that is to be
considered. As per the theory of dystopia there social media will be having a vaster negative
impact on humanity rather than the positives.
Real life Assessment
As per the performing of real time assessment, it can be stated that viewpoint of Utopia
have been preferable in today’s society. Social media have been providing a lot of benefits in the
communication process. This is one of the major reason that in case of social media

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consideration of Utopia view point is higher (Bourdon 2018). It can be stated that there are issues
that are present in the process, however the benefits that are received in the process have been
much higher.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be stated that both Utopia and Dystopia have been
providing a better assessment of technologies that are being used at this moment. It can be stated
that proper analysis of the technology can be made. Both the viewpoints have been helping in
better analysis of the technological advancements. This have been the main reason that better
assessment of the technology can be made. With these two processes, the main advantage that is
considered in the process is that both the strengths and weaknesses are properly analyzed.

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References
Bourdon, J., 2018. The case for the technological comparison in communication
history. Communication Theory, 28(1), pp.89-109.
Dickel, S. and Schrape, J.F., 2017. The logic of digital utopianism. NanoEthics, 11(1), pp.47-58.
Dorrestijn, S., 2016. History, philosophy, and actuality of the utopian view of technology: On
Pierre Musso’s critique of network ideology. In Pierre Musso and the Network Society (pp. 103-
129). Springer, Cham.
Heidingsfelder, M.L., Bitter, F. and Ullrich, R., 2019. Debate through design. Incorporating
contrary views on new and emerging technologies. The Design Journal, 22(sup1), pp.723-735.
Lim, M., 2018. Challenging technological utopianism. Canadian Journal of
Communication, 43(3).
Lim, M., 2018. Challenging technological utopianism. Canadian Journal of
Communication, 43(3).
Nunez, G.A., 2019. Between Utopia and Dystopia: Contemporary Art and Its Conflicting
Representations of Scientific Knowledge. In Handbook of Popular Culture and Biomedicine (pp.
245-258). Springer, Cham.
Paulus, M., Robertson, J., Vlad-Ortiz, C. and Langford, M., 2019. Technology and Hope.
Russo, F., 2018. Digital technologies, ethical questions, and the need of an informational
framework. Philosophy & technology, 31(4), pp.655-667.