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As social media continues to evolve and connect humanity in new, innovative ways, the future of the medium may very well redefine how wars are fought, politicians are elected, celebrities are embarrassed and how the masses communicate.

Of course, consumers used these platforms for updates on the most trivial of details, while the world bore witness to revolutions and civil war at the same time.

Serious and not-so-serious information

At its best, 2011 saw social media become an organizing tool for the Arab Spring, and the window through which the world watched the revolution.

Media consumers received updates about revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia and the civil war in Libya through Facebook, Tweets, blog posts and videos on YouTube, all platforms that had previously (and almost exclusively) been used for personal entertainment by a tech-savvy few. Social media supported citizen journalism, while also changing how reporters worked in the field, as demonstrated by NPR journalist Andy Carvin with his Twitter account, which updated global situations in real time, and in just 140 characters.

We also saw the explosion of one of the most important stories of the year, when the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden broke on Twitter. On May 1 at 10:25 p.m., Keith Urbahn, former US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s chief of staff, posted on his Twitter account: “So I’m told by a reputable person they have killed Osama Bin Laden. Hot damn.” That single tweet caused global Internet traffic to spike significantly.

When Hurricane Irene threatened the east coast of the United States, Twitter and several other mobile applications were used to track the hurricane. US airlines also responded faster to complaints on Twitter as opposed to phone calls.

When the Bronx Zoo in New York lost a cobra, someone (with excessive time on their hands) made a fake Twitter account for the wandering snake, including fictional but immensely entertaining updates on its travels through the city (“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. ‘Cause I ate it,” the snake tweeted on Christmas).

Indonesia and the Internet

Social media in Indonesia, a mass consumer of the medium, continues to cultivate creativity and social movements — and unfortunately, also breeds a base for haters.

For political issues, there was the Mini Skirt Rally and Occupy Jakarta, both of which used social media to gain support (though the demonstrations were sparsely attended).

The founders of Lentera ID, a support group for rape survivors, met after intense discussions on social media. Today, they regularly appeal to rape survivors to join their anonymous gatherings.

For environmental issues, Twitter ushered in Indonesia Berkebun (@idberkebun), a movement that aims to create green spaces in big cities, such as Jakarta. Berkebun is a forum for urban people to discuss gardening, helping to make the hobby hip again.

There are at least two books and a film that were released this year whose inspirations were taken from daily interactions on Twitter. In March, writer Salman Aristo launched his book “Politweet,” a compilation of his social and political tweets crafted into stories.

In August, prominent journalist and poet Goenawan Mohamad also launched “Pagi dan Hal-Hal Yang Dipungut Kembali” (“The Morning and Things That are Picked Up Again”), an anthology of his poetic tweets.

But the true success story of Indonesian Twitter users this year was Arief Muhammad, an undergraduate student at Trisakti law school. He scored a book and movie deal for “Poconggg Juga Pocong” (“Poconggg Is Also a Pocong”) through his Twitter account @poconggg. Arief wrote about the sad and difficult life of a pocong, or Indonesian ghost, turning horror into comedy (and money).

Thanks to the Internet, more people are now getting their 15 minutes of fame, for better or worse. This year, Norman Kamaru, popularly known as Briptu Norman, a Mobile Brigade officer from Gorontalo, northern Sulawesi, became infamous when a video of him dancing went viral in April. The latest news is that Norman was fired from the police for missing two months of work.

Social media also became a tool to support stand-up comedy. This year saw a spate of homegrown comedians take to the YouTube stage, including radio host Pandji Pragiwaksono and blogger Raditya Dika.

Indonesian public figures sometimes used social media to gain sympathy or to preserve their fame, but in an open platform where everybody speaks their mind, it can also offer another way for online bullies to attack those trying to bask in the spotlight.

If the Western world has Kim Kardashian as a sensational figure with vocal haters, then Indonesians have aspiring singer Syahrini, who garnered attention when she became the duet partner and reportedly lover of Anang Hermansyah, ex-husband of one of Indonesia's most popular performers, Krisdayanti. Although their marriage has long been over, the public is still absorbed (and despises) Anang’s new duet partner for no apparent reason, and certainly not because people adore Anang, a former rock singer in his younger days.

Bogor-born Syahrini is known for her eye-catching styles, including her large “anti-badai” (anti-hurricane) fake eyelashes and “jambul khatulistiwa” (“equator bang”) hairdo, which many Internet commentators have attacked. She also attracted copious negativity from jealous bloggers after being chosen to accompany football superstar David Beckham during his Indonesia visit. Weeks after Beckham left the country, people continue to talk about Syahrini in a disgraceful manner.

The question for Social Media’s future is perhaps the bigger question for humanity: Will we use technology to affect positive change, or only to waste our time?