It's a Small World After All

"Ultimate proof that our world is getting smaller and smaller," one Facebook user wrote in a comment on the company's post.

This was a comment within Facebook’s data blog of how the social network connects us with people throughout the globe. We share a common connection with people that we may not personally know. Most of us college students admit that we do not know our entire group of friends. However, in a way, we are all essentially connected. The article shares that the average user is only 4.74 degrees away from any other Facebooker. What does this mean? It means that the average user is roughly 5 people away from any other Facebook user. 

"Thus, when considering even the most distant Facebook user in the Siberian tundra or the Peruvian rainforest, a friend of your friend probably knows a friend of their friend," Facebook wrote in a blog post about its findings.

The study is not saying that we actually know nor even have any similar interest with the furthest person down the line. It is suggesting that the connections within the world are getting closer and closer. “What a small world” is a famous cliché that is actually becoming reality. Is this positive for society or negative?

Negative

This week we have discussed the dark side of social networks in our online Digital Communication classroom. The direct relationship between Facebook and divorce is an example. Is it possible that we may be fueling the dark side by these unintentional connections? If everyone in the globe is unintentionally getting closer, will we see an increase in Cyberbullying and an increase in divorce relating to Facebook?  It is definitely something to think about.

Positive

Connections are valuable to anyone entering the workforce. Often opportunities come from knowing a friend of a friend. In this respect we are increasing our chances to succeed in a business environment. However, not only does it open doors for us in the workforce, it reveals many opportunities for intercultural connectedness. The connections allow us to experience intercultural communication on a wide spectrum. This allows one the chance to become globally sound and interconnected with the world thus making them a well-rounded individual.  

Thoughts anyone? 

Concert etiquette with an emphasis on technology and social media

The social media phenomenon is taking over our lives. It seems that our society can no longer function without updating their Twitter or Facebook accounts. Is this bad? Technology can be useful, but is it becoming too much? “Technology and Concerts: What not to do” is an article that explains proper concert etiquette with an emphasis on technology. Is technology consuming our lives to the point where articles need to be published explaining the proper technological etiquette? Something seems wrong about that. 

Photos

The article explains that one should not be taking photos, talking on the phone or multitasking. Leave the photographing and videoing to those paid to shoot the events. It is annoying to see phones constantly in the air and blocking others views. Some people think it is ok to shoot the entire set or concert, but it isn’t. Be respectful of others at the concert by keeping your camera phone in your pocket. 

Conversations

Don’t talk on the phone at the concert. Enjoy the concert and don’t miss out on the action because of an incoming or outgoing phone call. Constantly shouting into a cellular device can take away from others enjoyment of the music. 

Multitasking

Multitasking is the worst of the three. Constantly checking the Twitter feed, email or playing games is an absolute no. It can distract others from the music being played and can ruin their experience. Others are there to hear the music and bond with people who have similar musical interests. One should stay at home if they plan to be engrossed in their smartphones at any portion of the concert. Concerts are also a time to pay tribute to the bands that create our everyday music. Respect the other concert goers and respect the band. 

Everyone has their own opinion on what is proper event etiquette and what isn’t. However, the point is that technology may be getting out of hand. One can utilize technology, but don’t become consumed by it. It can be beneficial to separate oneself from the social media and technological worlds. Take a break from all the Twitter and Facebook updates. Embrace the moment!

?Social Media Stalking?

"Online, there's a fine line between searching and stalking". Reading and re-reading that title makes me wonder about our use of social media. The amount of information one can find about another is scary. Brenna Ehrlich and Andrea Bartz, producers of the blog and book “Stuff Hipsters Hate”, are very helpful in the world of digital communication. They have talked about how to deal with online stalkers and even answered user submitted questions about using the internet to find someone. Does using the internet to find someone make one a stalker? Ehrlich and Bartz answer the question! 

Ehrlich and Bartz explain that it all depends on the context of how one uses the information. They explain that if one has common occurrences with the person then it is okay to pursue them. However, one has to be careful of how they track someone online. One example included Facebook. Searching for someone online and finding their Facebook is a common incident. They shared that it is okay to send the person a quick inbox message and friend request. From there, one has to wait for a response or acceptance of the request.

They share that the information found online is usually put out there by people who don’t mind being found. Men will probably be flattered by the experience and thrive off it. Everyone on Facebook has the ability to make their profile private. If they didn’t want to be found, their information would be locked up. Ehrlich and Bartz share that the same procedure should be used upon finding an email address. However, if one doesn’t find the email address easily, they should give up. One may be considered a stalker if they find an email address hidden within the pages of Google. 

The article is very interesting. It shows that we need to be careful of what we put online and how we use the internet to interact with people. Using the internet to find somebody is totally acceptable, but obsessive searching may move someone into the stalker category. Mainly, this is just a friendly reminder to be careful of the information one puts out there. Too much may be detrimental, but too little may affect one as well. Tune into Ehrlich and Bartz! They are two funny ladies!

Multifaceted Twitter

Twitter is a social network. It is perhaps the fastest information sharing social network out there. Information is flowing constantly and updated frequently. However, how much of that information is useful? How much of that information is useless? A lot of the information circulating through the site can be absolutely meaningless to the rest of the globe.  What does this mean for Twitter? It means that people are skeptical of its purpose. However, Twitter and its users are about to show skeptics the benefit of such a social network.  

Twitter Stories is a project put in place to show meaningful and positive experiences through Twitter. It involves one following @TwitterStories and following up the story with the hashtag #twitterstories. People share stories of finding jobs, finding their dogs and receiving donor kidneys. What does this mean? It means that social media and Twitter can make a difference. The use of Twitter can impact the lives of oneself and others. It can be used in emergency situations as well as social situations. This alone increases the value of having a Twitter account.

The more uses a site can exhibit will positively affect its overall use. Tying a humanitarian purpose to Twitter makes it one social media site that can be extremely beneficial. This is important to note for anyone trying to promote an idea. Anytime an idea springs, make sure that it is multifaceted. The general idea was social media, but it is also used for greater purposes. Sometimes this occurs on accident, but make sure the opportunity is available. 

Social media is not only used for a social purpose anymore. Twitter has proved that social media can make a difference. It can be the make or break in a person’s life. It not only provides social interaction, but provides opportunity. Joining Twitter almost seems like a must! Those not on Twitter are missing out on opportunity. Conform to the newest form of social media and give Twitter a chance. There is a purpose for Twitter and it is forever growing! Keep in touch with @TwitterStories and become a believer!