Strategically Communicating

If media would help to dismantle barriers of understanding and encourage “deeper kinds of cultural exchanges…designed to foster richer understandings that address both common experiences and diverse perspectives,” as authors Jenkins, Ford and Green state in their book, Spreadable Media, then this Ted Talk by Susan Cain is a great example of participatory culture and media helping to serve the democratic process. Viewed over 12 million times, talks like Cain’s help to promote “deep cultural empathy” by bringing attention to a cultural bias and to an often overlooked population. Participatory talks like Cain’s strengthens people’s voices and accountability and opens up opportunities for widespread dialogue and engagement, all representative characteristics of a strong and thriving democracy.