W8 - Ask Mr. Google
Do I Look Like Google to You?
To be frank, most of the information that I know are mostly from the internet / social media. News such as covid-19, celebrities, missing people and so on, are mostly from someone / some page sharing it on social media. Sometimes, we know too much that we are even qualified to be Mr google. “Kepo” I would say, but I am proud to say that I am part of “kepos” in some areas / topics.
Crowdsourcing (NGL I did not know what it was)
So, crowdsourcing. According to White (2019), crowdsourcing is the habit of using source of a group focusing on the particular topic. Crowdsourcing has been practiced and existed long before, just that after the help of social media it helps connect people from all around the world. Social media has made it easier for us to search or fill in the gaps that we have in our minds on a particular topic.
Personally, if you read my previous blogs, you would know that I am quite ignorant when it comes to politics and news that are more ‘adultly’ which are normally boring to me. However, I am a sucker for news relating to celebrities or movie theories. I often read news and click in links I see from Instagram and FaceBook (call me boring but bite me). The social media platforms I use often introduce articles that are related to celebrities or movies (which I am not complaining). Every time after I finish a movie or series, I would always have my own theories on what message the show is trying to portray. After that, I would google or go to the show’s instagram page to search and read on more information.
Crowdfunding (Ahh this I’ve heard before)
According to Fundable, crowdfunding is one of the ways to collect money from families, friends, customers or even investors primarily through social media. After the help of social media, I often see influencers especially promoting other online users’ GoFundMe websites. The ones I have seen before is when an influencers or a well-known TikToker’s, relative pass away, they would share their GoFundMe page and ask for their fans’ support.
Personally, I have experienced a time where one of my school mates from my secondary school did a GoFundMe page. Long story short, he/she went to UK for his/her studies. However, he/she had some family troubles happening along the way during his/her studies in UK which caused him/her not to have enough money to continue staying in UK. He/She had to come back to Kuching ASAP so he/she set up a GoFundMe page secretly, but it somehow spread until all of our ex school mates knew about it and donated to help him/her. Oh well that is just a bonus story for this blog.
Conclusion of GC
In conclusion, social media really made it so much easier for us to search and know more on the topics that we had doubts before or even get to know new knowledge about new topics that we never knew of before. However, we should not abuse this power to spread rumours that can cause chaos. Be “kepos”, but be wise “kepos”.
References
Fundable, “What is Crowdfunding? Clear, Simple Answers Here.”, viewed on 3 November 2021, <https://www.fundable.com/learn/resources/guides/crowdfunding/what-is-crowdfunding>.
Jacquelyn, W 2019, “What is Crowdsourcing and How Does It Work? Definition and Example”, TheStreet, 22 July, viewed 2 November 2021, <https://www.thestreet.com/personal-finance/education/what-is-crowdsourcing-15026002>.
