After looking about many different opinions across the web, I have come to the conclusion that hashtags have been corrupted. As can be found across multiple articles but specifically Muriel McDonalds found by way of https://www.tintup.com/blog/how-hashtags-changed-the-way-we-talk/, hash tagging began in the mid to late 2000's and has blown up in usage.
This blow up has created an easier way to find information so long as the hashtag is attached, and has allowed easy organization for groups of people both large and small. It has further allowed us to connect and show topics that speak to the masses more easily than ever before. In fact, hashtags have become so fundamental to all media sites that hash tagging is now simply done in real life. This escalation of the importance of hash tagging is not unprecedented as it has been building up over a number of years; however, I believe that hash tagging has a more evil side than most of social medias' devices.
Hash tags can be overused and annoying to the point where someone would wish they were wiped off the face of the earth. Or, they can be simple and get to the point of a post. They also have a dark side. The encouraging of band wagon antics. With the coming of the hash tag that was foretold in ancient times, there was also a warning to not go along with whatever is hot or fresh sweeping the lit up screen in front of one's eyes. That part was ignored, that is if the prophecy is true. Hash tags that are hot and new nowadays must be commented on or everyone has to project that they care or else they are out of the loop, or they are uncaring jerks, or they did not have access to an electronic device. Since hash tags popularity blowout, social media has become more of a bandwagon than ever before, decreasing the amount of original though as hash tags become the must haves of every post.
Be sure to comment how you feel about the hash tag epidemic, whether it has changed your life for the better or worse, has created an outlet or made it so social media is repulsing. And as always, thanks for reading.
For media purposes the hashtag is genius. It helps them calculate what's 'trending' without them having to calculate or gather any data on a certain topic. It does the work for them and gives a whole new meaning to the term 'big brother' watching. They don't even have to come asking for our information, we offer it up freely.
ReplyDeleteYes, some people over use hashtags and annoy the heck out of us, but in terms of media I think they do exactly what companies want them to.