Military and Social Media

MILITARY AND SOCIAL MEDIA 

Ponderings of a Veteran

By

VIKRAM KARVE 

SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE MILITARY 

A few years ago, when I first wrote this blog post, while surfing the internet, I observed that two rather unsavoury incidents pertaining to the army had gone viral on Twitter.

The first incident was a public spat between two Generals regarding seating arrangements in a cinema hall.

The second was a contretemps in AWWA (Army Wives Welfare Association). 

Recently, there was the Bomdila Incident 

Since these embarrassing incidents had gone viral on the social media, the mainstream media was forced to take notice and report these as news items in the electronic and print media, on TV and in newspapers, and thereby these unpleasant issues got wide publicity.

In the past, such issues would have been settled internally within the cocooned environment of military cantonments, and the outside world would never have come to know of these occurrences.

The advent of the social media (especially Twitter and Facebook) has changed everything.

Now, with the increasing proliferation and popularity of the social media, it is not possible to “hush up” matters, and organizations, including the military, have no choice but to be more transparent and engage with the social media.

POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Social Media is a relatively recent phenomenon, but it has proliferated so rapidly and extensively that almost everyone is using social media tools like Facebook, Twitter etc

Owing to its instant and widespread reach, Social Media has overwhelmed the so-called “mainstream media” comprising print and electronic media.

As far as news reporting is concerned, Twitter is most impressive – Twitter is highly effective in disseminating news almost instantaneously.

Owing to Twitter’s instantaneous world-wide reach, the high speed and vast synergy of Twitter, if anyone puts a news item or news link on twitter, it can go viral within seconds by “re-tweeting” and become “trending news”.

Twitter focuses on user collaboration and facilitates sharing of user-generated content by the means of “re-tweeting”.

Twitter users can add their own comments, content, pictures, videos and internet links and thereby add value and credibility by interpretation and analysis.

Twitter has enabled everyone to become a “citizen journalist”.

You can write a news report on your blog and post the link on Twitter, or tweet a news item you have read on the internet with a clickable link, or you can instantaneously tweet a news-picture you have clicked or write a caption or a news item.

Twitter has trending topics, which can define and prioritize news and establish news trends for the Main Stream Media (MSM) to follow.

Today, because of its sheer volume and high-speed throughput of information, Twitter has the power to drive the Main Stream Media.

Owing to its instantaneous speed and tremendous reach, now-a-days the phenomenon of “Breaking News” first explodes on Twitter much before TV News Channels on the electronic media.

Twitter leads, other media follows.

Twitter has also brought about a sense of transparency in news reporting.

Twitter has thwarted attempts by the Mainstream Media (MSM) to suppress, “censor”, ignore, downplay, whitewash, manipulate or misreport news.

In many cases, efforts to present news in a biased, distorted or skewed manner have been exposed owing to the first-hand reporting of news on Twitter by citizens.

Main Stream Media (MSM) cannot afford to ignore Twitter unless it wants to be isolated and lose credibility.

The huge presence of Journalists, Electronic and Print Media Organizations on Twitter bears testimony to the relevance, importance and power of Twitter.

In addition to Twitter, Facebook is also very influential in information proliferation and shaping of public opinion.

CANTONMENT CULTURE

In the past, as far as “peacetime soldiering” was concerned, the Military remained cocooned in cantonments.

Maybe, cantonments are a relic of the Raj, where the military was expected to live a colonial social lifestyle in a world of its own, far away from the “natives” with whom the “sahibs” were not supposed to mingle.

This “cantonment culture” was prevalent mostly in the Army which lived in its own insulated world of cantonment life totally cut off from the outside world.

In contrast, most of the navy was located in the heart of Mumbai (then called Bombay), and Naval Officers lived all over South Mumbai along with civilians – in fact, the Navy Wardroom (Officers Mess) was located in a building called “Vasant Sagar” in Churchgate off Marine Drive in a posh civilian locality.

That is why, in earlier days, there was a huge difference between the social life and cultures of the Navy and Army, but, in due course, the Navy too started building its own secluded “cantonments” and adopting Army style “cantonment culture”.

The Military led a secluded cosseted life revolving around the facilities and amenities in the cantonment, and outsiders did not know what was going on inside.

Those days even the media treated the military like a “sacred cow” and did not interfere and nor did journalists try to pry into internal affairs of military cantonments.

If there were any issues, they were sorted out internally, away from the eyes of outside civilian world.

Thus, there was a sense of opaqueness about military matters.

It was not that scandals did not take place in the past, but since it was possible to brush things under the carpet, cover up or “hush up” embarrassing issues internally, the outside world was not aware of the goings on inside the military cantonments.

The advent of the social media (especially Twitter and Facebook) has changed everything.

Incidents in cantonments, which, in earlier times, would have remained internal issues, went viral on the social media which forced the mainstream media to take notice and report them extensively, and thereby these issues got wide publicity.

MILITARY AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Social Media is a present day reality which cannot be ignored by the Military.

In fact, it will not be beneficial for the Armed Forces to ignore the Social Media, especially Twitter.

In today’s information technology driven world, avoiding the social media may be counterproductive.

Whenever an issue pertaining to the military goes viral on the social media, if the military does not tell its side of the story on the social media, people start believing whatever is being reported on the social media (Twitter, Facebook etc) and the absence of authentic information leads to speculation and rumours.

In such situations, the military must tell its side of the story truthfully and it must do this with promptness and accuracy. 

In order to achieve this, military public relations must have an active presence on the social media, especially on Twitter.

Like the MEA PRO is effectively using Social Media, the Defence PRO must be more visible and articulate on the social media (especially Twitter) in order to ensure balance, fairness, credibility and transparency of news, views and issues pertaining to the military.

You will be surprised, but there is a rather “antiquated” school of thought, that believes in antediluvian solutions like “banning” social media in the military.

While there is justification for reasonable restrictions on the use of social media by uniformed personnel, extreme steps like prohibiting use of social media may be highly unpopular, especially amongst youngsters for whom things like Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp etc have become an inseparable part of their life.

(As it is, the military is facing a shortage of officers and such extreme steps like banning social media may discourage many youngsters from signing up)

Let us assume, hypothetically, that the military decides to prohibit uniformed officers and personnel from using the social media.

But can the military impose such “bans” on wives (and families) of military officers and personnel...?

Military wives are civilians and are not subject to the restrictions under the army, navy or air force acts.

I mentioned earlier that Twitter has enabled everyone to become a “citizen journalist”.

Likewise, in the context of cantonments too, social media, especially Twitter, has enabled every military wife to be a “citizen journalist”.

So, suppose an incident or scandal happens in the social life of the cantonment, just one tweet from a wife is enough to make it known to the whole world, and the “news” can even go viral by repeated re-tweeting.

Such is the power of the social media that it is not possible to “hush up” inconvenient matters, or “cover up” scams and scandals (which it was quite easy to do in earlier times).

THE WAY AHEAD

I feel that it will be best for the military to actively engage with the social media and make its presence felt on Twitter and Facebook which will enable effective interactive communication and usher in a sense of transparency.

The Defence Services need to use the social media effectively to interact with the tech-savvy youth to exchange recruitment information and discuss various aspects about a career in the army navy and airforce. 

Effective “two way communication” between the defence services and the civilian youth may motivate many bright youngsters to take up a career in the armed forces.

I feel that various support organisations need to use the social media by active presence on Facebook and Twitter to effectively interact with their “Fauji customers” (serving, retired and families):

1. Defence Accounts and Pay Offices (PCDA, CPPC, Naval Pay Office etc )

2. Military Veteran and Ex-Servicemen Welfare Organisations (ECHS, DESW MoD, DGR, DESA/NHQ etc)

3. Defence Facility Providers like Health Care (DGMS, Military Hospitals), Defence Canteen Services (CSD, INCS etc), Defence Housing Organisations (AWHO, AFNHB), Institutes and Clubs, Holiday Homes etc 

4. Military Social Networks, Forums and Interest Groups (eg Regimental/Branch, Military Hobby and Sports Groups etc)

5. Social and Family Welfare Organisations/NGOs like Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), Navy Wives Welfare Association (NWWA), Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA) to enable barrierless interaction, seamless communication and exchange of views within members of these welfare organisations.

The possibilities are endless.

The social media is easily accessible and available to all free of cost and affords enormous opportunities.

Now it is for the military to use its ingenuity to take full advantage of the social media in an innovative manner for maximum benefit of all stakeholders.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This blog post is a spoof, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. These are my personal views, to be taken lightly. 

3. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

This is a revised and updated version of my story written by me Vikram Karve around 5 years ago in the year 2014 and earlier posted online by me in my various Blogs a number of times including at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2014/08/social-media-and-military.html  and  https://www.quora.com/profile/Vikram-Karve/Writing-by-VIKRAM-KARVE/Social-Media-and-Defence-Services  and  https://karve.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/social-media-impact-on-armed-forces-will-social-media-improve-transparency-and-enhance-quality-of-life-in-the-defence-services/  etc 

Tête-à-Tête

TÊTE-À-TÊTE

Fiction Short Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE  

“Your relationship with my wife is affecting our married life…” the smart young man said to me.

“What…?” I said, stunned, “Who the hell are you…? I don’t even know who your wife is…”

“Sir – you know my wife…” he said.

“Who…?” I said, perplexed.

“Wait, Sir – I’ll show you…” he said.

He tapped the screen of his smartphone.

Then – he gave me his smartphone and said:

“Please see, Sir – that is her profile…”

I looked at the picture – her face seemed familiar.

“That is “Nisha” – my wife – her name is written below her picture…” the young man said.

“Yes…” I mumbled.

“And – you are her “Friend”…”

“Yes – I can see that. But – let me assure you – I have never met your wife. So – there is no question of my having an “affair” with her…”

“Sir – please – I never accused you of having an “affair” with my wife…”

“Well – you said that I have a “relationship” with your wife…”

“I meant an “intellectual” relationship – not a “physical” relationship…”

“What do you mean by “intellectual relationship” – I have no such…”

“Please, Sir…” he interrupted, “You and my wife are “Friends” on the Social Media…”

“Wait…” I said.

I gave him back his smartphone.

I took out my smartphone from my pocket.

I opened the Social Media App – I searched for “Nisha” – then – I opened Nisha’s Profile Page – and – I browsed through her timeline.

“Oh, yes – she is a reader of my Blogs…”

“She is your “Friend”…”

“Well – I have many online “friends” – and – most of them are women…”

“I can see that – you have a huge female following…”

“What are you implying by saying that…? Let me tell you – I never send “friend” requests to women. And even if women send me “friend” requests – I do “due diligence” before accepting…”

“I know you are a respectable person, Sir. That’s why I have come to you for help…”

“Help…? You want my help…?”

“Yes, Sir…”

“Tell me – what can I do for you…?”

“Sir – please “unfriend” my wife – block her – mute her – I want you to totally breakup your online relationship with her…”

“What are you saying…?”

“Sir – my wife Nisha is connected with you everywhere – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram – LinkedIn – Quora – maybe on some other social networks too – and yes – she eagerly follows your blogs too…”

“I must be following her too…”

“Sir – Please, Sir – just “unfollow” her – block her out of your online life…”

“I just don’t understand. How does it matter if your wife and I are “friends” on the social media…?”

“If it didn’t matter – I wouldn’t have come all the way here to meet you. Nisha’s online relationship with you is affecting our married life…”

“Relationship…? What “relationship”…? I told you very clearly – I don’t have any “relationship” with your wife – online or offline. Just being “friends” on the social media – and “following” each other – it doesn’t mean anything…”

“Sir – it may not mean anything to you. But – for her – it does mean a lot. Sir – she is your total “fan”. Nisha admires you immensely. Actually – I have started feeling jealous of you…

“Jealous – of me...?

“She is in love with you…”

“Love…? Are you crazy…? I must be more than double her age – maybe even more. How can a young woman fall in love with an “old fogey” senior citizen like me…? Especially when she has such a handsome young husband like you…”

“Sir – I told you, Sir – it is “intellectual love” – she is obsessed with you – she keeps showing me your blog posts, your status uploads, your pictures, your tweets, everything you write and post on the Social Media. She even wants me to become like you – the other day – she told me to start Blogging – and to get more active on the Social Media. …”

“So – why don’t you start…?”

“Sir – I am “outdoor” type – I am not into Blogging and Social Media…”

“See. She is your wife. It is better you talk to her frankly. If you are feeling so insecure about me – why don’t you tell her to “unfriend” and “unfollow” me…?”

“I did, Sir. She won’t listen. In fact – she got angry and told me not to interfere in her online life…”

“Oh…” I said.

To be frank – I really could not understand how our innocent online “friendship” could affect his married life.

But obviously – it was affecting the married life of the young man standing in front of me.

He had come all the way to meet me – just because of this.

I looked at the young man – he was truly a “handsome hulk” – who most girls would swoon over.

But – his wife didn’t seem to care for his good looks and superb physique.  

Maybe – Nisha was a “sapiosexual” who valued “intellect” more than outward “appearance”.  

Our tête-à-tête was interrupted by the arrival of my wife on the scene.

The handsome young man excused himself – while leaving he give me a “beseeching” look.

EPILOGUE

Dear Reader:

As I write this on my laptop – I have opened Nisha’s Facebook Profile on my Smartphone.

Please tell me what I should do.

Should I “unfriend” her on Facebook – “Block” her on Twitter – and “unfollow” and “mute” her everywhere else on the Social Media…?

Should I breakup my online relationship with Nisha…?

Dear Reader – You tell me what to do – and – I will do whatever you say. 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. This story is a work of fiction. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

Have You Made a Will for Your Digital Assets in Cyberspace...?

You must have made a will for your material assets and property in the real world.

But - have you wondered what will happen to your Digital Assets in Cyberspace - your Blogs, your Social Media and Email Accounts - have you made a will for all these "Digital Assets"...?

Read the article below:
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/digital-assets-management

Online Plagiarism – Blogs and Social Media (WhatsApp/Facebook/Twitter etc)

ONLINE PLAGIARISM 

“Online Plagiarism” means representing my work as your own – stealing my writing from my blog and posting it online on Social Media (WhatsApp/Facebook/Twitter etc) and Blogs/Websites under your name without giving due author credit to me as the original author and without giving a backlink to my original blog post. 

Recently – I discovered that my “Humor in Uniform” stories were being blatantly plagiarised and copy/posted/forwarded on WhatsApp Groups without my permission – without giving me due author credit – or – without giving the url link to the original post.

Now – my “Humor in Uniform” stories are fictional spoofs and this is clearly stated in the disclaimer in below the story in my blog.

However – some “fauji” plagiarisers had copy-posted/forwarded selective extracts of my spoofs on WhatsApp Gps without mentioning that the stories are spoofs and this creates a false impression that the posts are serious “research papers”. 

This reminds me of a post I had written many years ago on ONLINE PLAGIARISM 

Dear Plagiariser Friends: 

You are most welcome to share my stories on Social Media.

But – instead of copy-pasting – please post the title of my story and the url link to the blog post on Social Media (Facebook/Twitter/WhatsApp Groups)

This will enable readers to read the original stories in my blog. 

Here is a blog post for all my plagiariser friends....

COPYCATS IMITATORS and PLAGIARISTS – THE BANE OF BLOGOSPHERE

Musings

By

VIKRAM KARVE

BLOG PLAGIARISM

A few years ago – short stories from my creative writing blog were being regularly stolen by some unscrupulous person who shamelessly my stories on his blog under his name.

Yes – believe it or not – my entire Blog was Plagiarized.

I was informed of this by one of my readers.

When confronted and exposed – the “content-thief” (plagiariser) shut down his blog.

In another case – a student copied my management article from my blog and submitted it to an Ezine which duly published the article under his name.

The biggest joke was that the owner of the Ezine Website saw my original article on my blog – and without checking the date of posting – he accused me of plagiarism.

After I pointed out to him that I had posted this article 3 years before it was published on his website – he became apologetic and said he will debar the particular plagiariser student from his website.

I also sent an email to the Director of the Business School where the plagiariser student was studying – and soon enough – received an apology from the student.

Just like there are burglars, robbers and thieves in the real world – there are thieves in the blogosphere who steal content and plagiarise the work of others.

Of course – I am a blogger who is not interested in making money from my blog – nor am I bothered about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Blog/Website Rankings – but for those who do – Blog Plagiarism can be a serious matter.

Some people create their own merit.

Others plagiarize.

Plagiarism means representing my work as your own.

“Inspiration” is the new euphemism for Plagiarism. 

You plagiarize someone else’s work.

And – when you are caught – you say that you were “Inspired” by the work – so you shamelessly copied the blog post – and tried to pass off as your own.

Plagiarism happens everywhere - this happens with all creative and artistic works – even in the academic, scientific, research and industrial world. 

There are copycats and imitators everywhere.

Information Technology has made plagiarism very easy.

You can surf the internet – and find what you want to plagiarize.

Then – you just have to copy and paste – that is all.

Plagiarism is rampant in the blogging world too. 

As I told you earlier – my Blogs were Plagiarized too.

I feel very sad when some unscrupulous persons plagiarize my writings – especially when they copy-paste my blog posts onto their blogs – and try to pass off my creative writing as their own.

To such persons I can only say: Please create your own original writing, especially fiction, and please do not plagiarize the creative works of others.

You must create your own merit and not piggyback on others.

Copying and Plagiarizing is sacrilege – yes – this unethical act is the scourge of the blogosphere and a big nuisance to genuine bloggers.

I earnestly appeal to all fellow bloggers and creative writers to please be original.

Please do not copy – do not imitate – or do not plagiarize under any circumstances.

Have some self respect. 

Please be creative. 

Create your own merit.

Don’t be a copycat.

Nowadays – you can use the Social Media (Facebook and Twitter) to expose such unscrupulous plagiarists and thieves who steal your content.

Many of these plagiarists are cowards and hide behind masks of anonymity.

They Blog under fictitious identities using fancy nom de plumes or fake “handles”. 

You will find such cowards on the Social Media (Twitter/Facebook) as well.

These masqueraders are afraid of revealing their true identity on Twitter and Facebook and use fake anonymous handles and pictures.

In order to drive home the point regarding the dangers of imitation and plagiarism – I would like to tell all copycats this story – a favourite teaching story of mine: GUTEI’S FINGER 

A Story for COPYCATS IMITATORS and PLAGIARISTS

GUTEI’S FINGER

Whenever anyone asked him about Zen – the great master Gutei would quietly raise one finger into the air.

A naughty boy in the village began to imitate this behaviour.

Whenever he heard people talking about Gutei’s teachings – the naughty boy would interrupt the discussion and raise his finger.

Gutei heard about the boy’s mischief.

One day Gutei he saw the mischievous boy in the street.

Gutei apprehended the boy and caught hold of him. 

Then – Gutei pulled out a knife and he cut off the boy’s finger.

Yes – the Zen Master Gutei cut off the boy’s finger.

The stunned and terrified boy cried in agony.

Then the boy got so frightened that he began to run off – horrified by the sight of his profusely bleeding finger – petrified with fear – and trembling with unimaginable pain and unbearable distress.

As the boy was running away – Gutei shouted the boy’s name and called out to him.

When the boy turned to look – Gutei raised his finger into the air.

The naughty boy – whose finger had been cut off by Gutei – looked at Gutei’s Finger.

At that moment – the boy became enlightened.

So – Dear Blog Plagiarists – before you steal my content – remember this story of “Gutei’s Finger” 

I may metaphorically do to you what Gutei actually did to the naughty boy.

Happy “Original” Blogging and Proper Ethical Sharing on Social Media.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

Revised, Updated and Expanded Version of my blog post GUTEI’S FINGER written by me Vikram Karve more than 12 years ago in the year 2005 and posted online earlier in my blogs at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/09/teaching-story-guteis-finger.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/06/copycats-imitators-and-plagiarists-bane.html and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/02/blog-plagiarism.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/09/do-you-steal-content-blog-plagiarism.html etc