Social media has gone through its own share of growing pains. This new technology used as a method of communicating, has evolved at a dizzying pace. The first major change will be the increased use and functionality of smartphones. Apple, with the emergence of the iPhone 4s allows owners to use their phone as a credit card, with a twist. This technology is being propelled along with Dwolla, an online payment mediator that allows people to buy things by transferring money from their cellphones (MacLean's).
The digital giants will control all aspects of our digital lifestyles. One company will build you a device, sell it to the consumer and then sell them the content to play on it. Google is starting its first ever home entertainment device, a system for streaming music. Google Music, a free cloud service will allow users to share and discover new music. Facebook is dabbling in phones. Apple, who was primarily a desktop producer, is looking towards televisions where the user can play content from iTunes. This is the creation of ecosystems where consumers and their content are tightly tied-in to one system (New York Times).
YouTube is another example of an Internet company moving towards digital evolution. The Internet is going to replace traditional TV by producing content without networks being involved. They will focus on niche market audiences and tailor programming to the users' specific requirements. Viewers will be able to watch the Tony Hawk channel or catch up with Amy Poehler's Smart Girls at the Party, an advice channel. YouTube streams over four billion videos a day so their built-in market is vast and preexisting (MacLean's).
The Smartphone revolution, clouds, YouTube TV and ultimate control of a users' digital lifestyle are just four of the ways social media will change in the future.
Sources:
MacLean's; January 16, 2012: Volume 125, #1, page 49; "The credit card killer".
MacLean's; February 6, 2012: Volume 125, #4, page 46; "YouTube's exclusives".
The New York Times; February 19, 2012: page 6; "Tech Giants to Control our Digital-Driven Lifestyle".
Friday, 16 March 2012
Friday, 9 March 2012
Do you think that social media has the potential to bring about real social change?
It started with so much promise. Kony 2012 united the youth of the world and encouraged them to bring about great social change. Their united voices could stop a corrupt, cruel war lord in Uganda, Africa. It spread over Facebook and took social media outlets by storm. It was all anyone was talking about on the Internet, with over 13 million views and this resulted in main stream media outlets picking up the story. A film that tugs at the heart strings is turning out to have feet of clay. The Globe and Mail delved into the story and found that Kony and the LRA haven't been a serious threat since late 2008. The Uganda government could have defeated this rebel group years ago but there is so much corruption within the hierarchy of their government nothing was done for years.
On a smaller note, social media was used in a positive way, which saved a young English boy's life. Luke was feeling suicidal and posted his unhappiness on Facebook, Tmblr and email. Most of the responses where hate fuelled and told him to go ahead and kill himself. One young viewer was deeply touched by the situation and from across the ocean set in motion a dramatic intervention. A Newmarket, Ontario girl, Paige, searched the Internet for clues about Luke's location and called a Police Station in Bath, England who sent an officer to Luke's home and he received the treatment and help he so desperately needed.
Two young people, a world away from one another built a social network, a sense of community and caring that saved a life. In the right hands social media can be used to build bridges and create a sense of community. It can bring about real social change. Without a filter, social media can unite citizens around the wrong cause. It is the viewer's responsibility to check the facts and make sure the cause is a worthwhile one.
On a smaller note, social media was used in a positive way, which saved a young English boy's life. Luke was feeling suicidal and posted his unhappiness on Facebook, Tmblr and email. Most of the responses where hate fuelled and told him to go ahead and kill himself. One young viewer was deeply touched by the situation and from across the ocean set in motion a dramatic intervention. A Newmarket, Ontario girl, Paige, searched the Internet for clues about Luke's location and called a Police Station in Bath, England who sent an officer to Luke's home and he received the treatment and help he so desperately needed.
Two young people, a world away from one another built a social network, a sense of community and caring that saved a life. In the right hands social media can be used to build bridges and create a sense of community. It can bring about real social change. Without a filter, social media can unite citizens around the wrong cause. It is the viewer's responsibility to check the facts and make sure the cause is a worthwhile one.
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Has social media increased news and information or decreased it?
Social media has both increased and decreased the quality of news and information that is available to the public.
In countries where there is a ban or controls over the media released to the rest of the world, the Internet has been very liberating. In Cuba, which has the lowest Internet penetration in the western hemisphere, dissidents are finding ways to speak out against Castro's regime (MacLean's). By not following the party line, they are able to give a true voice to what is happening in the country. These rebels are letting the rest of the world know that most who speak out against the government are thrown in jail and tortured. Without social media to get their messages out, the rest of the world wouldn't know what was actually happening in this Communist country. In this instance, social media is creating a free and true voice of the news.
On the other hand, honesty is an issue with information and news that is posted on the Internet. A study conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia found that people are more likely to lie when texting, emailing or posting information with electronic devises (MacLean's). People feel more comfortable lying when they are not in face to face contact with the recipient of the news. There is a lack of accountability and direct scrutiny when someone anonymously submits news through social media channels. Who is going to check the facts and weed out lies or omissions?
If used correctly, social media can be a useful tool to deliver the news quickly and succinctly. If governed by a professional media outlet, such as The New York Times, the receiver of online news and information can be assured the reliability and accuracy of the news. There must be a governing body keeping watch over what content is published. It would be too easy for a falsehood to travel from one outlet to another. We all know how harmful lies can become when they gather steam and move out of control.
Sources:
MacLean's; February 13, 2013, volume 125, #5, page 30: "Freedom One Tweet At A Time"
MacLean's; January 23, 2013, volume125,#2, page 27: "Studies Say"
In countries where there is a ban or controls over the media released to the rest of the world, the Internet has been very liberating. In Cuba, which has the lowest Internet penetration in the western hemisphere, dissidents are finding ways to speak out against Castro's regime (MacLean's). By not following the party line, they are able to give a true voice to what is happening in the country. These rebels are letting the rest of the world know that most who speak out against the government are thrown in jail and tortured. Without social media to get their messages out, the rest of the world wouldn't know what was actually happening in this Communist country. In this instance, social media is creating a free and true voice of the news.
On the other hand, honesty is an issue with information and news that is posted on the Internet. A study conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia found that people are more likely to lie when texting, emailing or posting information with electronic devises (MacLean's). People feel more comfortable lying when they are not in face to face contact with the recipient of the news. There is a lack of accountability and direct scrutiny when someone anonymously submits news through social media channels. Who is going to check the facts and weed out lies or omissions?
If used correctly, social media can be a useful tool to deliver the news quickly and succinctly. If governed by a professional media outlet, such as The New York Times, the receiver of online news and information can be assured the reliability and accuracy of the news. There must be a governing body keeping watch over what content is published. It would be too easy for a falsehood to travel from one outlet to another. We all know how harmful lies can become when they gather steam and move out of control.
Sources:
MacLean's; February 13, 2013, volume 125, #5, page 30: "Freedom One Tweet At A Time"
MacLean's; January 23, 2013, volume125,#2, page 27: "Studies Say"
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Is Social Media a fad or the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution?
For me, social media is one of the greatest advancements of our time. It has made the world a much smaller place and communication between people more effective. Platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, who has more than 800 active users (facebook.com), allow communication and interactions, a sharing of views, ideas, likes and dislikes. People in the workforce no longer have to travel by plane to see clients, they can hold meetings over Skype. Texting has become an addictive habit for many. There will be 8 trillion text messages sent in 2011 (mobithinking).
YouTube has created overnight sensations. Look at Justin Beiber and his instant celebrity. You don't need to wait for the record to drop or the cd to be released, you can download his music from iTunes and carry it around on your iPod.
Traditional forms of news are being replaced with an online presence. Newspapers and magazines are going digital to stay alive. Wikipedia has become the new research tool. You don't need to go to the library to look at the Encyclopedia Britannica anymore. This dependency on the Internet does have a downside. With Wikipedia going offline for 24 hours, there was a huge public outcry. How were people going to get their facts checked? (Globe & Mail)
New forms of technology are rapidly replacing the old. Televisions have gone from mammoth black and white sets with only a few channels to small handheld devices that connect viewers to thousand of downloading options. You can carry your television with you wherever you go and text your friends at the same time.
Are we loosing our ability to interact face to face? Will we only be able to express ourselves through an online presence? Will we still know how to write and use the English language to effectively communicate? Do we really need to know what celebrities are doing at all hours of the day?
Food for thought.
Sources:
facebook.com/press.info
Globe and Mail, Wednesday January 18, 2012; Globe Life section "Online Protest"
mobithinking.com/mobile-marketing
YouTube has created overnight sensations. Look at Justin Beiber and his instant celebrity. You don't need to wait for the record to drop or the cd to be released, you can download his music from iTunes and carry it around on your iPod.
Traditional forms of news are being replaced with an online presence. Newspapers and magazines are going digital to stay alive. Wikipedia has become the new research tool. You don't need to go to the library to look at the Encyclopedia Britannica anymore. This dependency on the Internet does have a downside. With Wikipedia going offline for 24 hours, there was a huge public outcry. How were people going to get their facts checked? (Globe & Mail)
New forms of technology are rapidly replacing the old. Televisions have gone from mammoth black and white sets with only a few channels to small handheld devices that connect viewers to thousand of downloading options. You can carry your television with you wherever you go and text your friends at the same time.
Are we loosing our ability to interact face to face? Will we only be able to express ourselves through an online presence? Will we still know how to write and use the English language to effectively communicate? Do we really need to know what celebrities are doing at all hours of the day?
Food for thought.
Sources:
facebook.com/press.info
Globe and Mail, Wednesday January 18, 2012; Globe Life section "Online Protest"
mobithinking.com/mobile-marketing
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