On Sunday March 2nd, the host of the 86th Oscars Ellen Degeneres took a group selfie and posted it to the internet. That photo as of March 4th has been retweeted more than 2.5 million times. That is more than 3 times the previous record holding 777,000 retweets of President Obama’s inaugural hug with his wife Michelle. Degeneres’ photo has far surpassed any old records and set a high bar for others to follow.
This seems like a fun and entertaining record, but in light of current world events doesn’t it seem a bit frivolous and uncaring to retweet a photo of celebrities at an expensive event where attendees are given gift bags worth $80,000? With so much different news happening in the world why does a photo of multiple celebrities garner so much attention from internet users and the media. Russia has invaded Ukraine, the Oscar Pistorius murder trial is about to start and North Korea is firing scud missiles on the eve of joint exercises between the U.S and South Korea and that’s just to start. There is so much occurring or developing in the world yet a snapshot of actors garners more attention and sharing than poor, hungry orphaned kids in Africa. Does this mean there is an inherent downside to all of the access we have through the internet or are internet users just unwilling to face or share bad news or more serious matters.
I fully agree with your point of view about the internet craze that has occurred after the Oscars. However, I don’t think it’s because people are shying themselves away from the bad news. In fact, I think people are so bombarded by such an abundance of negative that they are seeking for positive news to lighten up their day. Imagine how tense a conversation would be if it solely revolves around the crisis in Ukraine or the hunger and poor in Africa.
Additionally, think about the audience that would be interested in these two extreme topics. Who would concern themselves with the crisis in Ukraine? Perhaps adults that falls between 30 – 60 years old? How many of them are consistently browsing the internet? On the other hand, who would open up a short and innocent article about a selfie of celebrities? Mainly teenagers? Perhaps adults so they may share a conversation with their children or engage in celebrity gossip with their co-workers?
Different news attracts different kinds of audiences. Some news appeals to the mass public while other news appeal to only a niche. I don’t think the number of retweets should be used as the sole measurement of how much attention an issued has gained.