Author Archives: laww

Posts: 5 (archived below)
Comments: 5

Social Media Jobs

Posted on May 11, 2011 by laww

Since my previous post for assignment number four was about the positives of social media websites, instead of the negatives, I will continue with this trend.  It is important to note that there are an immense amount of good things that social media websites can do for people, and since more and more continue to be created, it is important that people know about the benefits of them.

The obvious benefit is that it helps one another keep in touch.  Whether it be someone with a disease who needs contact with the outside world, or someone who just wants to interact with their cousin who lives far away, social media websites are a necessity.  Why?  Let me ask you a question, when is the last time you picked up the telephone to call someone?  This generation is focused on email & text messaging, and making a phone call has almost become a thing of the past.

I remember when I received my first cell phone.  It had no color and the only game on it was snake.  It was big and ugly, but it got the job done; making phone calls. Text messaging and social media websites, were not prevalent until the time I entered high school.

Another tremendous positive for social media websites is that there are more job opportunities, and since the economic decline, this is something everyone can be grateful for.  By typing into google search : “Social Media Jobs,” this website popped up : http://www.socialmediajobs.com/ , with the headline “Social Media Jobs: Turn Your Passion into a Profession.”  With such an engaging title, it was intriguing to me and it reminded me of why social media is a good thing.  Many people enjoy writing their opinions, thoughts, etc. onto social media websites, and if it is something you love, why not turn it into a career?  There have been many people who have visited Baruch for panel discussions in the library who have done this very thing.  It may be difficult to ascertain, but almost nothing in life is easy.

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The Diary of Facebook

Posted on April 5, 2011 by laww

On March 30, 2011, MTV premiered the Diary of Facebook.  It takes a behind-the-scenes look at how facebook was started, how it is run, and how it operates.  It features facebook creator, Mark Zuckerburg, as well as many of his employees, and it shows the evolution of facebook.

Though I have not watched the whole thing, from what I gather, it only focuses on the positives of what social media can do.  The thirty minute shows discusses how one woman was able to find long-lost family members, and how another man whom has a serious disease, is able to engage with the world around him.

Often times, I think because of the class we are in and the things we hear in society, it is easy to discuss the negatives of social media.  Personally, anything I have posted about social media on this blog has been negative, but it is important to look at the pros too.

Facebook, and other popular networking sites, are beneficial for a number of reasons.  If they were not, why would so many of us be on them?  Facebook can definitely be used as a tool to find family members, old friends or neighbors, etc.  It is also a good way for businesses to promote themselves, by creating a site and letting everyone know all they need to about their business.  My brother recently ventured into the business world and bought a bar in Park Slope.  It is in a somewhat desolate place in the neighborhood, definitely not a high traffic area.  However, with the use of websites such as Facebook, and Yelp!, he has been able to let people know of drink & food specials, as well as karaoke nights and when bands or disc jockeys will be performing.  This has definitely helped his business reach out to a larger audience.

I definitely think there are both pros and cons to all social media websites, but that goes for anything in life.  People need to be mature about their internet use and many problems can definitely be avoided.

Posted in Assignment 4 | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

New York Social Media Week

Posted on March 24, 2011 by laww

In an article published on January 13, 2011, author John Egan discusses the predictions people have made for the future of “social media in 2011.”  The article was entitled, “2011 Social Media Forecast: Privacy Concerns, Tumblr, E-mail, Facebook on the Rise,” and the author mentions thirteen different predictions that companies have made for the future of the internet, which reminded me of the video we watched in class since the protagonist was so knowledgeable on the future of the internet.  A few of the predictions definitely stand out as they are happening already.  One in particular, made by MSLGroup states that, “social networkers will realize their online friends with too many co-workers and acquaintances.  As a result, they may scale back their Facebook friends or turn to social networks that are more private.”  I have definitely seen this trend occurring already, especially with numerous amounts of people getting fired due to what they do/say on facebook.

The article also, in a way, seems to be proposing somewhat of a demise of facebook in 2011.  Forrester said, “facebook doesn’t own social media in 2011,” however I think right now they do.  On the other hand, I think it is almost a matter of time before people stop using facebook and move solely to twitter (though I do not have a twitter account) or the next new social media website.  People are always looking for bigger and better; anyone remember myspace?  Myspace will, in my opinion, soon be a nonexistent site since it seems that barely anyone still has an account, and out of the people that do have accounts, many do not even use it.  I presume that the same thing will happen to facebook.

Posted in Assignment 3 | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Facebook Song

Posted on March 14, 2011 by laww

While browsing Youtube, I came across a video that is extremely relevant to this class. The FacebookSong is absolutely hysterical! It basically describes a large majority of facebook users, whose lives revolve around facebook. It is a quick clip and definitely worth watching.  It jokes on the fact that the two men singing are not normally very social, yet when they log on there is a whole website dedicated to them! I laughed when I heard this line,”Before the internet friendship was so tough, you actually had to be in people’s presence and stuff.”It discusses how information, whether whimsical or serious, is at the tip of their fingertips. At one point they say, “Who would have thought with a point and a click, I would know that Hope Floats is your favorite flick?”

Something else that was discussed is the fact that some people will add another person simply because they think he or she is attractive and not because they actually know them. I think everyone can say they have received friend requests from people with no idea of who they are. I have a friend who adds females all the time and tries to meet them in person, because he is somewhat socially akward, though he would never admit it. Before facebook came to be “THE” social internet website, myspace was huge and this is how my friend met his ex-girlfriend of at least a year. She lives in Texas, while he lives in New York, and they would meet up sometimes. The relationship did not last, shockingly, and he often gets mocked for his choice in meeting women. Personally, I will never understand it, but I was always taught, “If you have nothing nice to say, do not say anything at all.”

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Rutgers Freshman Commits Suicide

Posted on March 1, 2011 by laww

Upon our discussion in class today, as well as many of the readings we have stumbled upon in class, I automatically thought of the recent suicide of Rutgers freshman, Tyler Clementi.

For those who do not know the story, Tyler Clementi was a gay 18year old who had not announced his sexual orientation to his family.  Clementi invited another male over to his room where Clementi’s roommate, Dharun Ravi, set up a webcam and skype to watch and humiliate Climenti during the sexual acts he was engaging in.  He streamed the video to others through ichat and it is “unclear how many people saw the video.”  Ravi bragged on twitter about what he had done and on September 22, Climenti posted on facebook that he was jumping off the George Washington Bridge.

Lev Manovich’s article discusses the notion that you can never truly know how many people are accessing something on the internet at one time.  As our professor said, “it can be everyone, or no one.”

The internet is unfortunately used by many people to act deviantly due to the anonymity of it all.  Even though Ravi was clearly not anonymous, the consequences do not seem as great while on the internet.  Unfortunately, though social media was created with seemingly good intentions, it causes a great amount of distraught, with many teenagers being bullied and committing suicide because of it.  The question becomes, what can be done, if anything, to prevent this type of misuse?

Posted in Assignment 1 | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Rutgers Freshman Commits Suicide