Social Media and the Future

I believe that we are only truly at the tip of the iceberg in terms of what social media can be, and how it can be used. Within the past year or two, social media sites have really snowballed in terms of scope and outreach into mainstream society. Now there are almost 1 billion people on Facebook, hundreds of millions on Twitter and many more on other sites like MySpace, LinkedIn, Flickr and smaller sites like Tumblr.

In terms of integration with technology, we are starting to see cell phones made around compatibility with these social media sites, with instant upload options and apps. We are also starting to see game consoles begin to integrate these sites, and even some games have started to use social media. Technology is starting to really show what social media can do, but new innovations need to keep coming to ensure the longevity of social media. I believe that we don't realize how easily social media can be eliminated.

I believe that we are coming up on a turning point in social media, one where it could be integrated properly into our lives and will actually become useful, or it could become way too diluted and just be there for the sake of being there. If the latter occurs, I really have a feeling that social media will become just a fad and people will become sick of using it. Companies really need to start innovating and planning for the future of social media so this doesn't happen. I believe it could easily just become a thing of the past, where people will get sick of tweeting, or being invited to the multitude of "social games" on Facebook.

If utilized correctly, social media could change the way the world is run and the way that people live their lives. If not, this will become just another fad and we will be missing out on a huge opportunity.

Social Change

Social Media is changing the world. There is no denying it. We see it everywhere now, on TV, on billboards, on the radio and even ads on the internet. Sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace are all connecting people, businesses and customers all over the world. Its never been easier to connect with someone than it is now. People with common goals, beliefs and values are all finding ways to connect through these sites.

To say that Social Media cannot bring forth Social Change is a bit of a fallacy. It seems like almost every week now, people with similar values are bringing a new topic to the forefront. Case in point, this past week millions upon millions of people from around the world have banded together because of a Stop Kony movement. We've watched as people from the US, Canada, Europe and South American countries have all joined together in spreading the information about Kony and his terrors.

People are going to find a way to connect with people that share similar social values, this is proven by nature. Social Media sites have made it infinitely easier for these people to connect, share ideas and spread the word to others. I dont believe that we truly understand the power of Social Media just yet, as its still growing, but I believe that the power behind it is undeniable and is going to change the way that the world is run. Its just simple convenience now.

Social Media and the News:

                In the past 5 years, social media has really reinvented how people distribute, and receive news and other important information. Specifically speaking, news channels, magazines and newspapers have all utilized these websites, and in particular, Twitter. Twitter has really become the one stop shop in terms of news, though its validity is often questioned. It is often very difficult to convey certain news stories within the 140 character limit, so sometimes tweets get misinterpreted and news doesn’t get delivered properly.

                Since Twitter is open to everyone, and anyone can essentially say anything, sometimes it gets very difficult to filter the truth from the vanity. Personally speaking, I follow a number of reporters and former players from the NHL to find news, scores and trade rumors. Since there are many people like myself looking for news and trade rumors, it opens the door for less credible beings to post away with their “sources” and in the end, really ruins the validity of themselves. In mass terms, anyone can post any news that they want. It seems at least once a week or more, someone famous “dies” on twitter. Somehow, someone posts that a certain celebrity had died, and other people take it seriously and the entire situation takes off. It really gets difficult to believe things you read on Twitter, especially when someone DOES die.

                I personally think that social media has decreased the quality of news, but certainly does not decrease the quantity. Anyone can post anything that they see, hear or believe and becomes open to a mass population. I personally think that if you’re looking for the real news, you should either be very careful with who you follow (actual news sites: CNN, MSNBC, etc.). This is because so many people can post such ridiculous scandals, lies and theories that it becomes very difficult to weed out the truth from the vanity.

By Chris Pitchforth

Social Media: Information Revolution?

For the past 5 years, websites like MySpace, Facebook and Twitter have been growing exponentially. So much so that marketers have actually started to find ways to incorporate advertisements into these sites to reach mass audiences. This has led many to wonder, is this a change in how business is done, or is this just another internet fad?

Personally, I believe that while there are some signs that this could just be another fad, I really think that this has some weight behind it. I think that this is the next change, the next way that not only advertisements will be presented, but eventually, how business will be completed.

For example, many businesses already use applications such as Skype for long distance business calls and important meetings. As of the past 6 months, Facebook has integrated Skype into its chat function, allowing people to communicate via video chat through a social media website. This could eventually be easily incorporated into the business world. 

In terms of advertisements, sites like Facebook and Twitter have integrated it greatly into their applications. For example, Facebook tracks our status updates and finds the basic topics and then offers ads on the sidebar related to our interests. Facebook also allows businesses to make fan pages where their customers can "Like" their page, and then offer them immediate sales or coupons for liking their page. Twitter uses their trending topics and hashtags to incorporate advertisements. Companies can spend money to make a certain hashtag a promoted topic.

I really believe that this is the next big change in the business world. Social media allows immediate advertisements and outreach to their customers and allows them to promote at a cheap cost.