•  What does it mean to network using social media?
    • To network is to connect: we live and learn in a networked society. We can seek out, store, and consistently access information, and learn together through social networks. This comes along with another topic I’ve learned about in Health Informatics – the internet of things (IoT). This refers to the rise of an enormous number of networked devices able to connect to the internet, and collect/send data: this is a major assistive technology with big data computing, and I found it funny how we as humans are so heavily networked, and we even build technologies that assist us with this. I’ve attached an interesting video I found on the subject below:
(Simplilearn, 2020)
  •  How are we motivated to participate in networked publics?
    • It’s through our networks that we’re able to learn, and interact with others: humans are an innately social species. Even through our brains we’re hard-wired to connect with others through positive reinforcement neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and even stress hormones like cortisol. These are seriously impacted by social interactions, and I haven’t even scratched the surface on an nearly non-exhaustive list! (Yirka, 2018).
Sombrio Beach – my own photo
  •  What are the risks & rewards of public communications?
    • Major rewards for public communications are the exchange of information to learn about a myriad of things, however a risk could be an invasion to an individual’s privacy if online forums are improperly used, or managed (Danah, 2012). As well, it should be mentioned that online social connections can cause feelings of isolation, or stress in many scenarios. As with any tool, it should be used properly, and with respect.

References

Bob Yirka. (2018). “Brain chemical differences suggest possible reason for humans having social edge over other primates”. Phys.org. Retrieved from https://phys.org/news/2018-01-brain-chemical-differences-humans-social.html

Boyd, Danah. (2012). Networked Privacy. Microsoft Research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24908/ss.v10i3/4.4529

Simplilearn. (2020). “What is IoT?| IoT – Internet of Things | IoT Explained in 6 Minutes | How IoT Works? | Simplilearn”. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mBO2vqLv38