The notion of humanity pertains to the characteristic or condition of being human, particularly in relation to human nature.
The notion of human nature pertains to the innate qualities that distinguish individuals, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and actions which are universally shared among all humans. In the contemporary age of technology, it is crucial to contemplate whether technology is modifying our cognitive processes, emotions, and behaviors. Are we being impacted by technology or are we impacting it? These inquiries concerning the factors that shape human behavior and the relationship between technology and humanity bear immense significance for society as a whole. The impact of social technology is unmistakably apparent in every facet of our lives.
Nowadays, social integration is a common feature in all media platforms due to the immense popularity of Facebook, which has over 500 million users. These users use social technology for different purposes, leading to an unprecedented level of connectivity among people. The influence of technology on society is evident in both online and offline industries.
The merging of technology and the human network is causing a disturbance in traditional business models, organizational theories, and established knowledge systems. The extent of these disruptions and their significance is difficult to fully grasp. Superficially, we observe efforts to achieve immediate outcomes using outdated beliefs and business models. However, beneath the surface lies a societal transformation as humanity endeavors to derive meaning and importance from these emerging transformations.
According to Umair Haque, the significance of social tools goes beyond mere relationships and attention. Instead of simply investing in things like “gamification,” a Twitter account, or a Facebook group, it is important to first focus on the societal impact of these tools. This requires carefully considering how to leverage them to become more meaningful and enduring.
The true measure of success for a modern business is not only its external appearance of success, but also its ability to establish lasting and advantageous value. It is essential for a business to have a significant impact. In today’s society, diverse belief systems shape different groups within the human network. Our personal beliefs are influenced by collective belief systems, which in turn are influenced by society and the media. Is it possible that social technology is enabling the human network to develop a new belief system? When a small group of individuals adopts a new belief system and successfully persuades others to do the same, they become agents of change. However, if they fail to persuade others, they are disregarded and labeled by society.
The emergence of new belief systems often leads to conflicts with existing ones, resulting in smaller followings and migration to new territories. This process hastens the colonization of unoccupied lands and necessitates a reformation of beliefs known as “mazeway resynthesis”. In this process, prophets of change introduce new realities to their followers, hoping to establish a new movement. If successful, the prophet becomes the leader; otherwise, they become alienated from those holding onto the old beliefs. This phenomenon is similar to social media preachers who strive to create a mazeway resynthesis among those who believe in the significance of social platforms.
Prophets of Ideas – Ideas are manifestations of new knowledge originating from the creative capacities of the human network. Thanks to the connectivity available within this network, significant and worthwhile ideas are continuously arising. These noteworthy ideas possess the potential to generate enduring value that benefits and enhances the productivity of the human network. The concept of the Social Overton Window serves as a tool for discerning the ideas that shape the recognized range within which individuals’ ideas and media are accepted.
Media is used to persuade or educate the market, leading to a change or wider acceptance of specific behaviors. Those who resist change reject ideas that bring about substantial changes in thinking, feeling, and behavior. While technology has always had and will continue to have a significant impact on humanity, true societal influence comes from how people leverage technology to generate valuable outcomes for all. This principle also applies to individuals and organizations using social technology for any purpose.
