Response to Dimension 1 questions

Question #1. Are social media sites just opportunities for people to become, as Ronson says, “Unpaid shaming interns?” Share your thoughts.
I believe that social media is a microcosm of society, in general. Those individuals who tend to bully, harass, and insult in person will do so, perhaps even more, on social media. Those individuals who respect others, support difference, and engage appropriately in person will do so on social media, as well. I am sure there are outliers who may use social media to test out alternative ways of engaging with others, for better or for worse, and there are those who may feel more liberated to express views anonymously that they have insight to recognize would not be acceptable to express offline, but I do not believe social media changes the core of who a person is.

Question #2. What are some of the benefits of social media in terms of providing opportunities for the democratization of justice?
Everyone starts as a blank slate on social media. Unless they chose to post pictures of themselves and reveal who they are (in terms of how they look), people are genderless, colorless, classless. This creates an even playing field that “real life” does not provide.

Question #3. Are there ways of meeting “nice people like us” on social media? Or, is it a place that only offers opportunities for us to mutually approve of each other while demonizing someone else?
I personally refrain from using social media. I never post, do not share pictures of my family, and consider privacy sacred. I have come to view it more as a privilege rather than a right as others can now choose to make their peers public in ways they may not choose for themselves, whether the intent is to demonize or not. That said, I refer to my answer to question #1- those who demonize others will do so regardless of the platform.