Jurgen Habermas came up with this ideal of a ‘public sphere’. It is essentially a space where we share and gather information about the occurrences of society and/or of our own worlds.
It’s taken me a bit of time this week for me to really think about what my ‘public sphere’ is. I don’t like the idea that it is a social media platform because that just annoys me. Despite the fact, I love scrolling through my FaceBook and Instagram feed, learning things about society and the issues being faced, I don’t like considering this to be my ‘public sphere’.
Being who I am, I don’t like to talk to people online. Things can be misinterpreted and overall it really isn’t showing your raw authentic self. In saying this, I do very rarely talk to people online if I don’t already know them. If I do, then it is a really rare occurrence and I am more than likely waiting to talk face to face. Except I can be really awkward, so I probably won’t initiate it, but the thought it most definitely there.
So my public sphere, what is it? I don’t have a lot of close friends as I trust very few and find it hard to connect with people who don’t understand what I am all about. In saying this, I am not a serious person at all and so the people who surround me, also are not (and we all get drunk way too often). In fact, we basically make fun of life itself. I don’t like drama or gossip, which means the information I take from my ‘public sphere’ is more about what is happening in our lives and giving each other shit for anything really.
Contradicting everything I have just said, I sadly have accepted the fact that my Snapchat group chat would be my ‘public sphere’. Even though, my close friends and I catch up pretty much everyday, our Snapchat group chat is more than likely being used at any instance. I very rarely use any other social media platforms to communicate with people and if I am talking to someone through another media app then it is extremely rare.
As I don’t necessarily ‘keep up’ with the occurrences of society then the people excluded from my ‘public sphere’ would be any individual who is not part of my micro world.
I feel like what I took away from this lesson is how much I despise ‘hiding’ behind a screen and really appreciate the people who take the time to talk and communicate offline.
Put Yourself Out There, R.
immerse into media 
Hey Ruby, Your view point of what your Public Sphere is was highly interesting to read, I agree when you state how your snapchat group chat is your public sphere! because mine is well! the fact that you have stated how you would rather talk to people in public rather than over text is very interesting as well! your use of visuals is amazing! i love all the photos you have included! I also like how you pointed out the fact that you and your friendship group have fun and make fun of life itself, by added this into your blog post you have allowed your readers to understand your friendship group and your public sphere, as one! Thank you for sharing your insight of what you public sphere is! Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Ruby, I like the way you would rather communicate with people in real life opposed to online where things can be misinterpreted. I like the way you keep your public sphere close and between a small group which you can understand and trust. I feel the same with this concept of a closed and small group as it allows you to debate and talk about like-minded things that people in the group are interested in. This blog post is very personalised and subjective in your own opinion which allows for a different perspective on the topic of public spheres itself. You take your own twist on the theory as well as defining it to show your own knowledge on the topic. When you talk about media through social media platforms, I love how you point out that you use it (like everyone else does) however it is not your “public sphere”. You may use media to be knowledgeable about trending topics and news yet debating about these topics is a different story. I love the blog and keep it up!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is an interesting take on social media and how it hinders social interactions rather than aid it! It allowed me to reflect on my own experiences in my social sphere, like Habermas. I especially appreciate the emphasis on how you choose to exclude yourself from gossip and other seemingly negative behaviours. I can definitely relate to the feeling of missing events or the infamous “Fear of Missing Out” phenomenon that I’ve recently read about (here: https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/parenting/fear-missing-out-can-make-social-media-using-teens-feel-stressed/q4QOCJC3ZPkYuWAqPG8IcI/). I am curious to know if you think online social spheres have the power to deteriorate friendships over time as they evolve? Again, a wonderful read and interesting insight to such a relevant concept!
LikeLiked by 1 person