The Power of Social Capital

        In the movie Generation Like, the lives and experiences of several young adults are chronicled. However, these aren't your typical teens. Most of the kids covered are exceptionally popular on social media. Whether it’s as The Hunger Games’ number one fan or as a YouTube sensation, these individuals have distinguished themselves as important figures in their field. Are these kids empowered then? Can it be called power if the rewards and accolades only have value in certain realms?  

        It could be argued that these kids are working towards arbitrary rewards. They are competing to see who can gather the most likes, the most views, or if you’re a Hunger Games fan, the most sparks. At first glance, these prizes only seem to be a measure of popularity. However, upon further examination, there is actually far more to them. These kids are working towards building up social capital. Social capital is the accumulation of relationships with people in power and the recognition of these relationships by one’s peers. Essentially, it’s who you know. So, although how many views Tyler Oakley receives on his videos may seem insignificant to some, it’s actually incredibly important. The more views Tyler receives, the more companies want him to endorse their products. Through social media, Tyler is able to build relationships with very powerful companies. He is able to acquire social capital. Therefore it is important to recognize that what seems arbitrary to some, is in fact very powerful to others.   

        In religion, the significance of seemingly meaningless rewards is very common. To outsiders of a particular religion, what is deemed important and what is considered useless may seem completely random. However, to members of that religion there is actually a fair amount of power attached to these values or rewards. Just as Tyler Oakley receives social capital for reaching one million views, so does a priest who’s demonstrated the utmost devotion to his faith. Furthermore, it is critical to recognize how these varying forms of social capital can transcend their specific realms. For example, Tyler was once just popular on YouTube. However, as he’s attracted the attention of prominent companies, he is now a voice in the media, teaches seminars to young professionals, and ultimately has become an influential figure. His power has extended beyond the domain of YouTube. The same occurs with religious leaders. Centuries ago, the Pope had immense political power in Europe. Even today, what he preaches impacts the way individuals vote, act, and live their lives. Although these figures acquire social capital within a specific field, once they have obtained enough they are able to exert their power across many different domains. Social capital, thus, possesses the ability to transcend its original borders.