Social media and humans exist in a world of mutual influence, and humans play central roles in how this influence is mediated and transferred. Originally created by University of Arizona Information scholar Diana Daly, this 2024 “living book” edition of Humans R Social Media welcomes additional authors and features contributions by students to help readers understand how we as humans shape social media, and how social media shapes our world in turn.
An important feature of this 2024 edition is that it includes new contributors, who are part of a growing community of instructors, faculty, and experts invited in the front matter to cocreate the book and share in its governance. Other front matter includes a preface by Daly that outlines the collaborative and open nature of the book as an educational resource and other features, and an introduction sets the stage for a series of chapters that explore significant aspects of new media.
In early chapters, Daly traces the evolution from traditional forms of media to today’s digital platforms, highlighting the shifts in production and consumption. In a new contribution in this version, Nathan Schneider examines the complexities of regulating digital media, discussing issues such as censorship and net neutrality. Following this, Daly explores the intricate balance between privacy and public exposure in the digital realm, considering how personal information is handled.
In the central portion of the book, the influence of algorithms in shaping online experiences is explored, with Daly examining their role in filtering and directing the flow of information and social interactions. Issues of equity and gender in digital spaces are also discussed, focusing on how online environments can reinforce or challenge societal norms. The role of digital tools in activism is analyzed, showing how they have transformed engagement and participation in social movements. The cultural relevance of memes is also considered, with Daly analyzing their role in communication and social commentary.
Near the end of the book, Daly also tackles the challenges of navigating information accuracy and the importance of media literacy in the digital age. The impact of digital media on personal relationships is scrutinized, revealing changes in how people connect and interact. Daly reflects on the transformation of personal identity through digital media, considering its broad implications.
Exciting content is featured by two student authors collaborating with Daly the iVoices Media Lab producing the book. Jacquie Kuru, whose incredible artwork graces the cover and appears in other placed in the book, discusses the intersection of digital media with art, noting how technology influences her creativity. Alexandria Fripp addresses how digital media affects wellness, looking at its impact on both mental and physical health.
The book’s back matter now includes additional features such as media collections of student work, with galleries of audio, video, and memes, as well as podcast episodes, all enriching the books with students’ “funds of knowledge” through their sharing of social media experiences. A glossary provides clear definitions of key concepts, and guidelines for contributing further enrich the collaborative nature of the resource. The conclusion ties together the main themes, emphasizing the critical need to understand the profound influence of digital media.
Overall, the book provides a comprehensive analysis of the digital media landscape, stressing the importance of an informed and thoughtful approach to its challenges and opportunities. As a living Open Educational Resource with content licensed through Creative Commons, Humans R Social Media: The Living Version 2024 challenges the boundaries of what books can be, to match the rapid pace of emerging understandings around social media.
