Pub. 13 2016 Issue 1

O V E R A C E N T U R Y : B U I L D I N G B E T T E R B A N K S - H E L P I N G N E W M E X I C O R E A L I Z E D R E A M S 12 M any people would agree that the 2016 Presidential election has been a bizarre, at times surreal, state of affairs. Not only has the divide between candidates, both across parties and even within parties, become more pronounced than ever, this election is highlighting many ways in which society continues to change. More than ever, social media has loomed large over this election, providing a voice for the average voter as well as a form of communication for the candidates themselves. Donald Trump, the candidate who frequents Twitter the most, has used the social media platform to not only rally his followers, but to repeatedly insult his fellow candidates. Early in the election cycle, he mocked Jeb Bush on Twitter in a display that felt more appropriate for a 10 year old on a playground than a man running for president. Fellow Re- publican candidates Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have also used the platform to hurl insults back at Trump, attempting to match a perceived need for candidates to no longer stay above the fray. Social media is a classic example of a double-edged sword. Its positive effects are many. Facebook allows users to more easily keep track of relatives, friends, former classmates, former co-workers, and other people who they do not have the opportunity to see frequently. Linkedin provides a plat- form for career networking, allowing users to create a pro- file showcasing their skills and credentials. Websites such as Instagram and Twitter allow the average person to con- nect to those with power, wealth, and fame in a much more direct way. To use a cliché, social media has caused the world to shrink, allowing someone in a rural area to feel as connected to the world at large as someone in a large city. If someone chooses to use the internet and, specifically, social media in a constructive way, then it can be a powerful tool. In an idealized scenario, a person can use it to enhance his or her career, personal life, financial situation, intellectual capital, and level of information. It can be that potent a resource. However, social media can lead to negative consequenc- es, often unintended, at times. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, social media has actually made peo- ple less likely to voice their opinions about various political, economic or social issues. According to the study, the vast majority of social media users were only willing to share an opinion if those reading it were very likely to agree with it. A miniscule number of social media users expressed will- ingness to share an opinion if they believed it to be even mildly controversial. So, while we have an unprecedented Social Media’s Growing Influence BY MARK ANDERSON, NEW MEXICO BANKERS ASSOCIATION