Malcolm Gladwell is skeptical of the power of social media to radicalize change. In an article in the New Yorker, “Small Change: Why the Revolution will not be Tweeted,” Gladwell claims Twitter and Facebook are comprised of “weak” ties and that “weak ties seldom lead to high-risk activism.” But when we know someone personally - a strong tie - we are personally engaged. We need that personal level of engagement to commit to the kind of personal sacrifice it takes to be involved in real change. 

After traveling around the country to talk about social media, I think I agree with Gladwell. Twitter and Facebook are “terrific at the diffusion of innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration.” But would we be willing to put it all on the line for people we have never met in the “real” world? Are our online ties with each other strong enough to motivate us to action? 

I wonder … 

Read Gladwell’s article here,  http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/10/04/101004fa_fact_gladwell?currentPage=all#ixzz11RSqAeis