Reading the book Rhetoric For Radicals, the chapter “A Call
To Rhetorical Action” the reader will read about society norms and the process
of how the media is ignoring us and how they are shaping our society. As it says in the Social Norms section
“erasing all norms is not possible” (20). We see it as impossible because it is
so difficult for a society to adjust to a different kind of living. For example, hanging out with someone
everyday and becoming their best friend, but once that pattern stops the relationship
stops. I on the other hand see it is
possible to create a new social norm different from the ones we have now like
sexualizing woman, thinking all men are untruthful or even all Muslim’s are
terrorists. Using technology like social
media, we can spread truth and wisdom to young teens, our future
generation. Teenagers use social media
so much, ideas and stereotypes are implanted in their brains and eventually
becoming a social norm. The media plays
a big part in our lives stating what they want us to hear. Using advertisements, Youtube, Facebook, etc.
they are our only connection to what is happening now in the world. “Improving our communication skills” (35) will
be our way to beat the media. Our
speaking and writing skills are so important because we need to communicate to
our peers in a way they will understand the problem at hand and be
convinced. That is one thing the media
does well which is convincing people that what they are telling us is the
actual problem and is more important than anything else happening. In addition, the chapter brings the 5
contemporary challenges current activists face, which are intercultural
exchanges, intercultural communications, culture specific rhetoric’s,
translation issues and creating transnational rhetoric’s. Basically, the five
challenges allows us to share cultures and perspectives with different races
and by doing this we are widening our alliances and getting more of an
understanding of what other region’s societies are like. Technology can help tons on this subject
because not everyone can meet someone from another culture in person, but by
communicating and sharing with those people online we are accomplishing these
challenges. Definitely an interesting chapter
for the Rhetoric For Radicals informing the readers on how the media works and
social norms are formed.

Hey Matt. I agree with you the social media does influence the younger generation a whole lote more than news outlets do. The younger generation like to stick to what is trending, and what could make them popular because old is boring and they don't want to be boring. It is a great idea to put more useful information up on social media rather than junk like celebrity gossip and good post.
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