Facebook statuses are little updates to keep everyone informed about what is going on in your life. Since the user has control over what is being sent out, is what we are reading the whole truth? Facebook users only show the world what they want to be shown. A status can be anything from a quote, a video, or a personal detail about what someone just ate for dinner. Just because someone posts a status about their day, doesn’t mean it is even true. A Facebook status is the ultimate impression management.
Although most people are careful about how the social media world views them, there are some that have not quite thought their statuses through. Failbook.com and Lamebook.com are both internet sites dedicated to the dumbest and funniest Facebook statuses. For instance, a lady’s status was featured on Failbook.com when she expressed her concern for the third world country of Japan after the earthquake. Her friends quickly corrected her that Japan was in fact a first world country. Even if she wanted to delete this unfortunate status, someone caught it and submitted it in for ridicule to this merciless site. This just goes to show that what you put out there cannot really be erased, even if you delete it. So they next time you want to show concern for a tragedy, make sure you have your facts straight or you too, could be the next Failbook.com star.
The progressive rock band Nine Inch Nails, decided to follow in RadioHead's footsteps in 2008. NIN released their album, The Slip, for free download on their website. Several months later, the band released a physical version of the album for a fee but the free download remained on their site. Lead singer Trent Reznor described the free album as "a thank you to our fans for your continued support." Reznor said, "This one's on me."
Nine Inch Nails did not suffer from the album giveaway. In fact, just the opposite happened. NIN fans were so grateful for the free album that they promoted the album and praised the band. This "free" download got NIN the exact results they wanted. It maintained and even improved their image.
So is The Slip album really free? Well maybe monetarily, but NIN still expected something from the free recipients. They expected their fans to gift them back socially.
Wired editor Chris Anderson explains the freeconomy:
Youtube users might upload content they've created at no cost, but Youtube anticpates viewers, comments, and social interaction around the content in return. Status, prestige or esteem now take the place of cash in Web 2.0. If the users don't live up to their end of the bargain, Youtube could lose their licensing and advertising relationships.
Anthropologist Mary Douglas states, "For all the ongoing commitment, a free gift gesture has created, it might as well have never happened."
*Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor (pictured in the middle of the first photo) was the co creator of The Social Network soundtrack!
This morning, the lovely Dame Elizabeth Taylor passed away from congestive heart failure. She was an amazing actress, humanitarian, and animal lover. Some even say that she was one of the last of the real Hollywood movie stars. Some of her larger than life roles were included in the movies - Lassie Come Home, National Velvet, Father of the Bride, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Cleopatra. Taylor devoted much of her time to Aids related charities and also fought against animal testing. These are just some of the highlights of her amazing life.
I found out about her passing listening to the radio on my commute to Atlanta this morning. But for many, they found out through their social media accounts. Having to really pay attention to facebook and Twitter for my Atlanta Humane Society internship, I saw the floods of status updates mourning and celebrating the life of Elizabeth Taylor.
CNN host Piers Morgan even broke the news of Taylor’s death for the venerable cable network on his Twitter account this morning. Among the first celebrities to pay homage to Taylor on Twitter was singer Kylie Minogue, who tweeted: “RIP Dame Elizabeth Taylor…..Like a pure white diamond you’ll shine on and on and on.” I also paid homage to Elizabeth on Atlanta Humane Society's facebook page:
"R.I.P. Elizabeth Taylor. She was a wonderful actress, humanitarian and like all of us, loved her animals!"
Taylor was also a tweeter, and kept everyone up to date on what was going on in her life. Here is a tweet from October 2009 after a heart surgery:
Many people love and admire Dame Elizabeth Taylor. She truly is a Hollywood icon and an inspiration for helping others. I believe that her fan base grew through Web 2.0. Her loyal followers probably felt closer to her since she kept up with the social media trends. The numerous facebook and Twitter posts honoring her life are a testament to new new media's ability to connect us all.
If you are like me, then you love The Lord of the Rings books and movies. I have literally been to the midnight showing premiere of all three movies. It was bittersweet to see the last of the trilogy, The Return of the King in 2003. But wait! There is more to look forward to! The director of the LOTR trilogy, Peter Jackson, just started production on the prequel to all three- The Hobbit. Guess what? The movie already has a facebook fan page!
I believe that this is one of the smartest and most cost effective ways to promote a movie that is just now in the principal photography stage. Actually, today was the first day of official production. It is so cool that Jackson has made a fan page to coincide with the filming. The director is providing photos and info about the making of The Hobbit on the fan page. Check out Jackson on the set:
Wouldn't you want to see a movie when you have witnessed the behind the scenes magic? Peter Jackson is really giving his fans as much access as possible into the world of The Shire. He has also released the news about who is playing the coveted role of the young Bilbo Baggins- Martin Freeman. He is best known for his portrayal of Tim (our Jim) on the British version of The Office.
The two film adaptation of The Hobbit is set to release in 2012 and 2013. While that may seem far away, fans can keep up with all of the excitement and show their anticipation through the facebook fan page. People "Like" fan pages to feel like a part of a community. The Hobbit community will have an advantage over others because they can keep up with the production first hand. You know how us nerds are! We "Like" to promote what we love. The Hobbit page already has over 78,000 fans! All Peter Jackson had to do was create a page and the The LOTR fans came running. A fan page really is the newest and best way to market yourself. Here is a note from The Hobbit fan page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/note.php?note_id=191000667602213
Would you follow The Hobbit fan page? Do you even like The Lord of the Rings?
I would like to think that J.R.R. Tolkien would have been proud of the movie adaptations of his masterpieces. But what I really want to know is what Tolkien would have thought about new new media. I wonder if Web 2.0 was around while he was living, if he would have blogged or promoted his books via facebook/twitter? I am sure that someone out there has created a facebook fan page for the author. Oh wait- I found one! http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/J-R-R-Tolkien/17264938053
My last blog was all about how social media can really help and inform in the face of natural disasters and tragedies. It really is a great way for people to get involved and donate to causes. Unfortunately Web 2.0 does have a dark side. Want to know what I think the real tragedy is? Our society's lack of compassion. It has not even been a week since the eathquake/tsumani hit Japan and parts of the Pacific. Unfortunately the web is filled with hate and ignorance for the people of Japan.
The voice of the Aflac duck is comedian Gilbert Gottfried. I for one have never been a fan of his comedy, but he really pushed the limits with his recent tweets about Japan. Here are some of his tasteless twitter jokes:
Aflac insures one out of four homes in Japan and the insurance company was quick to fire Gottfried from being their mascot's voice. It is nice to know that these big corporations like Aflac have some sense of morality. I think I hear duck voice auditions in the future. Anyone?
Failblog.com has a section called Failbook that highlights the dumb things that are being done or said on facebook. Of course there were plenty of insensitive posts made about the tragedy in Japan. Take a look at a few, but warning: you will be appalled.
I know we live in a free country and can say what we please but where is the love? Do people say things on social networks to get attention? Is social media the perfect platform for the hateful and ignorant? We have to come together in Web 2.0 AND in person to educate away from hate!
We all know how beneficial that social media can be when it comes to revolutions. We have seen the results in Tunisia, Egypt, and other countries fighting for their freedom. But what about when natural disasters strike? What role does Web 2.0 have in helping and informing about tragedies?
Last Thursday night I went to sleep watching the news. The last thing I remember hearing was about the earthquake in Japan. Not being able to keep my eyes open, I said a prayer for Japan and sleep took over. The next morning while I was at my internship I checked facebook. It was then that I realized the severity of the earthquake. 11 Alive was the first post that I saw with actual footage of the destruction. I wondered how many other people were finding out about the Japanese devastation on their social media.
One very unique way that new new media provided information on the Japan earthquake was how students in the United States collaborated with students in Japan. Hours after the natural disaster, students in Boston started gathering information from twitter, facebook and other internet messages to process what and where the major activity was happening. This is called Crisis Mapping. Within 24 hours of the devasting earthquake, over 75 people around the world were researching where the people were, the conditions of roads and safe places to hide. It has basically provided a better picture for response agencies and for concerned citizens to see exactly where the aftermath is affecting the country. Crisis mapping has also been used in the Haiti crisis. Here is a link to the Japan crisis map:
There are many other ways that Web 2.0 provides help for the earthquake/tsunami victims. The Red Cross has a strong social media following. They have also partnered with Apple to try and bring in donations for the victims in Japan. I-Tunes has a link on their site to donate.
If you are a follower of Lady Gaga, you might have noticed the relief bracelets that her team has designed.
There are also "prayer wave" groups forming on facebook and Twitter. Personally, I don't think that the name is totally appropriate but if it gets people to pray, donate or just provides awareness to global events then I think it gets the job done.
Although Japan is half a world away, you have to be naive to think that what happens there won't affect us here. The west coast of the U.S. has already felt the effects of the earthquake. Even if it did not directly cause reactions to our coast, we should still feel compelled to help.
Many people think that Web 2.0 has more negative qualities than positive. When it comes to natural disasters, tragedies, revolutions and various other social injustices, I think we can all agree that it provides information and relief. In the past, we have heard about tragedies through newspapers, radio and television. Now we have more of a way to be interactive and get involved. Donate or share about Japan now!
I am following the web 2.0 trend of fan pages. I also want to use this trend for my final ethnography report. My new new cat is going to have a facebook fan page! It will be interesting to see who, if anyone, will actually follow her. Who knows- maybe the page will get so many "Like"s the she will have corporate sponsorship from Fancy Feast!
So please be on the look out for a page suggestion for Scarlett O'Hairball. As stupid as this idea may sound, I will try my best to make the page funny, informative, and most of all cute. Here is Kitty Scarlett herself, letting you know the fan page is coming:
