Final answer:
The web designers forming a trade union represent the coalescence stage of mass media evolution, a phase where collective organization around an issue occurs. This stage has been influenced by social media, enhancing the ability to organize beyond geographical limits, akin to the historic creation of trade unions and their impact on workers' rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
The organization of web designers into a new trade union signifies the coalescence stage in the evolution of mass medium. This stage involves the coming together of like-minded individuals to raise awareness and organize around a specific issue. Historically, trade unions emerged as a way for workers to band together to defend their interests against management. The coalescence stage has been transformed by social media, as President Obama's 2008 campaign demonstrated, enabling the organization of individuals regardless of physical boundaries. Such use of technology represents a shift from the individual creation of content, as seen in early forms of print media, to a more participatory model exemplified by the Web 2.0 era. This collective organization of professionals, whether they are web designers or union workers, is a crucial aspect of the coalescence stage within the broader narrative of mass media development and societal change.
Trade unions have a rich history dating back to the 19th century, highlighted by the creation of the Trades Union Congress in Britain and the subsequent legalization of strike actions. This historical movement has parallels to modern efforts at unionization in various industries, including technology-based fields like web design. The ability to organize effectively has been greatly enhanced in the modern era due to the advent of social media and other online tools, allowing for rapid dissemination of information and coordination of collective actions.
In conclusion, the activity of web designers creating a trade union is indicative of the coalescence stage of mass medium evolution, which reflects the ongoing narrative of worker organization and the transformative impact of social media on such movements.