Social Media: A Critical Introduction 1st Edition

Best all-around introduction to social media as a field of research and a social realm, excellent introduction to critical theory as well. However (and perhaps not the best thing to say about a book that takes a critical theory stand) I found it a bit too...critical- by which I mean lacking some nuances. Sure, surveillance, ownership and control of social media are essential questions and should not be ignored, but Fuchs pretty much throws to the ground any other existing approach to the study of social media (Castells, Jenkins etc). While it is the point of critical theory to fight ideologies and idealistic theories of society, in dismissing other approaches this book just becomes over-zealous in trying to install another ideology.Definitely a must-read for anyone interested in social media, from any perspective (practitioners, academics, students, companies)- but read it in the same critical spirit in which Fuchs treats his subject.

Although I, personally, disagree with much of Prof. Fuchs' postulations, this text is a necessary balance to the current social media obsession. My students were surprised at the level of corporate infiltration in, what they perceive as, a totally populist forum. Fuchs' perspective provides a much-needed NEGATIVE perspective to the uses of social media. While there have been many journal articles written by psychologists on the negative impact of social media's "isolation" and compulsive use, this is the only source I have seen that looks at the negative STRUCTURE of social media. TED talks abound re the capitalistic uses of social media and its economic potential -- and I'm all for that. However, we must also take a look at the "man behind the curtain" to have a well-rounded sense of social media's structure.

A very useful Marxist perspective on social media, highly critical of both Henry Jenkins and Manuel Castells, that reminds us that we must never forget ownership, power relations and possible exploitation of users whose digital footsteps are sold to the advertisers. I use this as one of several books on my undergraduate course in Media and Communication Studies entitled "Information and Communication Theory".

Book is in great condition b

An excellent book for gaining a better understanding of Social Media. The book is well researched and examines each topic with care.

Son found book to be useful.

Love this book

This book really goes into depth into the pervasiveness of social media in society today. The book takes a bit of an academic approach to the topic, but for me this opened my eyes to so much more than just the user experience. The book takes you in deep and lets you really digest what is really happening in social media, and let me tell you, it is much deeper than you would originally think.For me, with kids growing up immersed in social media and technology I need to feel that I understand the ramifications, and this book has started me on that path to understanding. This was a well written book, with well thought out and researched stances. I was very impressed at the overall writing and what the author had to share in general and I think you will too.*I received this for review - all opinions are my own*

Brief but useful

Excelent book with a diferent approach. A bit academic, true, but with provocative reflexions about the limits posed by the big corporations for a demoçratic usage of the internet. Another quality of the book is a critical review of the very euphoric appoach about the impacts of the digital technologies in modern society. You have to read this book before read all the bla-bla about digiltal convergende "network society" and so on...

The book at a lot on social media that was interesting and I leaned a lot. It help me for an assistant.

It's an ok book, but the author needs to change his name. 'Darcy Clerke' or something as Christian Fuchs.

The author discusses critically the applications of Social Media. Very good insights, I must say, but hardly an engaging read. Get this for an unbiased and objective study of Social Media or if you have much trouble sleeping. Written for academics from the style of writing.