Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Evolution of social media
Social media and digital technology are constantly evolving, becoming an essential part of city dwellers’ daily lives. Smartphones enable communication, news reading and shopping. People can also make money from social media, with influencers, content creators and celebrities becoming popular figures. This has made social media an essential part of daily life, making it difficult to imagine life without it.
Social media has evolved from a simple electronic information exchange to a critical marketing tool for the 21st century. It has affected billions of people, businesses have adapted to the digital consumer lifestyle and marketers use social media to reach their target demographic.
In 1844, hand-tapped electronic dots and dashes on a telegraph machine gave birth to social media. The ARPANET, an early digital network built by the US Department of Defence, laid the groundwork for digital communication in 1969. The National Science Foundation launched the NSFNET, the forerunner to the internet, in 1987. The first true social media network was launched in 1997. These early digital networks gave rise to the internet and social media we know today.
According to “The History of Social Networking” on the technology news site Digital Trends, the internet’s expansion enabled the creation of online communication services in the 1980s and 1990s. Six Degrees profile uploading service in 1997 and Friendster in 2001 were the first social media networks. Weblogs became popular after Live Journal and Blogger were purchased by Google in 2003. LinkedIn, which was created in 2002, now has 675 million users globally.
Myspace, the most popular website in 2003, was finally surpassed by Facebook in 2008 and has since become a social media afterthought. Google+, which debuted in 2012, had a data security incident in 2018. Technological advancements, financial needs, online enterprises and cultural dynamics will result in the creation of new social platforms such as Discord, Amino, and Reddit. However, issues such as cyber bullying and improper content continue to exist. It is critical to consider if the digital world is actually social or if people become overly engaged in it.
MUSKAN ALI RANA
Karachi
Patriotic Bill
I am greatly frustrated and disappointed by the Zimbabwean government which recently passed the Patriot Act Bill on citizens. This Bill criminalises citizen engagement or correspondence with foreign agents except by state officials. This bill also criminalises those Zimbabweans who will campaign against human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. Beleaguered President Mnangagwa and his Administration have muzzled freedom of expression and association by Zimbabwean citizens.
Citizens will be forced to speak of circumstances that do paint the country in a good light. This is absolutely/completely wrong and an act of persecution.
The ruling party wants Zimbabwe to be a one-party state and it is shocking that the government of Zimbabwe is more concerned about creating a good picture and a positive image on the experience of its citizens and forgetting that Zimbabweans are crossing rivers infested with crocodiles into neighbouring South Africa and other countries because life in Zimbabwe is now characterised by horrific scenes which are unthinkable, despicable and heart-breaking because President Emmerson Mnangagwa has failed to bring economic prosperity in Zimbabwe.
CHARITY MAHUNI
London
Eid without electricity
Load shedding, or the scheduled power outages, has been a persistent issue in Pakistan, causing major disruptions to daily life and economic activity. With Eid approaching, the demand for electricity is likely to increase which means that load shedding may become more frequent. However, it is crucial to ensure that people can celebrate this important holiday without any interruptions.
To stop load shedding during Eid, the government and power companies need to take a few steps. These include ramping up power generation, reducing transmission and distribution losses and promoting energy conservation. The government should also consider importing electricity from neighbouring countries if needed.
Finally, it is important to communicate effectively with the public about the schedule for load shedding and any steps being taken to minimize it.
By taking these steps, the government and power companies can ensure that people can celebrate Eid without worrying about power outages which will help them enjoy this important occasion to the fullest.
JAMAL RAHIM
Hoshab
