The Combination of Social Media and Traditional Media
In recent years, the interaction between social media platforms and traditional media has created a powerful cycle that can transform individual emotions into political networks. This cycle can be understood in three stages:
- Expression of Discomfort on Social Media
People often share small frustrations or feelings of fatigue on social media. These posts attract attention and create a sense of shared experience.
(Example: “Very tired.” → Discomfort) - Conversion of Discomfort into Anger through Media
Traditional or video-based media provide narratives that identify a target or “enemy” for these frustrations. This process converts everyday discomfort into anger, which is a more persistent and mobilizing emotion.
(Example: “Bad things are caused by X!” → Anger) - Return to Social Media and Formation of Followers
Once discomfort has been transformed into anger, individuals return to social media. By following a leader or community, they feel a sense of comfort and belonging. This step consolidates people into organized groups, effectively building political networks.
(Example: “I follow this man.” → Comfortable → Followers)
Summary
The cycle can be summarized as:
Discomfort (on social media) → Anger (via media) → Comfort through belonging (followers).
This mechanism illustrates how everyday emotional expressions can be amplified, redirected, and structured into larger social or political movements. It does not depend on a single platform but rather on the interplay between multiple communication channels.
