Some Social Media Statistics from a Digital Marketing Blog

http://econsultancy.com/blog/5324-20+-mind-blowing-social-media-statistics-revisited

"Just Google it"? Not so fast...

According to a brand new study out of Northwestern University, many college students place too much trust in sites such as Google, Wikipedia, AOL, Yahoo!, etc.:

Not as Web Savvy as You Think

Thinking back on our past discussions on the intersection of the digital divide and credibility, it's interesting that this segment of the population, which is commonly considered as the most Internet savvy and connected, is not quite as discerning as we might expect when it comes to credibility.

Shirley Sherrod and Me

Hey guys,

Van Jones just wrote an op-ed in the NYT about Shirley Sherrod's resignation and offers some commentary on how the speed of the Internet-- and the ability to "edit" the truth-- has changed DC politics. Interesting and quick read.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/opinion/25jones.html?hp

The Power of Social Networking

Below is a link to a 3 minute talk on how one little social news website called reddit.com and their fans single-handedly changed the course of a Greenpeace whale movement.

I just thought this was an interesting example of the power of the internet and social networking.

Enjoy!

http://www.ted.com/talks/alexis_ohanian_how_to_make_a_splash_in_social_media.html

ABC News Story On Social Media and Politics

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/youtube-facebook-twitter-social-media-revolutionize-politics/story?id=11230480

Twitter as a Mood Ring

I stumbled across (what I thought) was a novel, fascinating study that mapped the country's moods throughout the day -- using word analysis of Tweets.

Pulse of the Nation: U.S. Mood Throughout the Day Inferred from Twitter

According to the maps, the District and environs spend most of the 24-hour cycle feeling rather stressed, angry and generally unhappy, whereas life in the sunny states like Florida and California appears pretty relaxed and even-keeled.

Vacation ideas forming, anybody? :)

Apple's "Reception" problem

Saw this article in the Post today re: Apple's response to consumers frustrated with the iPhone 4/AT&T debacle. Though Pegoraro doesn't offer suggestions of what Apple should do to address the problem, he does discuss the damage being done as a result.

Steve Jobs, Apple feed backlash with response to iPhone 4 reception complaints
By Rob Pegoraro
Wednesday, July 14, 2010

APA Style Has a Blog!

Yes, a few short minutes ago I was doing a Google search for APA style guidelines, as I don't have my manual with me, and what did I find but
this.

Even the APA is finding new ways to communicate with students and academics.
:-)

Asia and Social Media

Hi class -
Some of you probably saw this already...it's a short video on social media in Asia. See you tomorrow!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thomas-crampton/overview-asias-social-med_b_642587.html

BP Blogs

Hi class-
After reading Sweetser and Metzgar this week, I was curious to see whether BP was using blogs to communicate with the public. I found a page on their site dedicated to blogs written by employees...

http://www.bp.com/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9033611&contentId=7061850

Facebook Launches Permissions For Apps, Websites

Per our discussion about social networking website credibility, Facebook is now going to make it easier for users to understand which pieces of information are being used by third-party developers. About time! But there's still no way to know HOW the third-party developers may use your private information in the future. Why doesn't Facebook just require the developers to agree to protect user privacy??

See this NPR story for more:

Facebook is rolling out a new feature that requires outside applications and websites to tell users exactly what parts of their profiles have to be shared for the apps to work.

Applications already had to ask users for permission to access anything in their profiles that wasn't public. But these services didn't have to specify what information they were using. Such information can include your photos, your friends' birthdays or your e-mail address...

http://n.pr/ct3CzC