Social Networking: Another World Here on Earth

Social media is taking this world by storm. Sites like Twitter, YouTube, Linkin, and of course Facebook, have welcome people from all over the world to join in. Nowadays, people don’t have to leave their homes or run up their phone bill to communicate with someone. The only thing they have to do is lift a finger…well maybe a couple of fingers. Social communities are forming right here in Cyberspace. Due to the endless possibilities and the low limitations people can fellowship among each other about anyone or anything from anywhere. Now some of you may think you don’t need Facebook or Twitter to communicate with others. Some of you may believe in the value of face-to-face communication. I understand your point of view and I actually agree with it, but what about when it comes to business networking or business marketing? Believe or not, these social networking websites are a useful source. Nowadays, businesses all over the world have social networking pages from your neighbor up the street who is trying to start his own record company, to the CEO of Sony Records. You name them … they got one.


Business and individuals are starting to establish themselves through these social networking sites. Plus the sources are great tools for individuals who apply to Chris Anderson's "Long Tail" book. (Refer back to my first post for description of Long Tail)With the help of social networking, products that are not sold in stores and only offered online can gain more exposure.
Josh Woodward is an acoustic rock artist who built his fan base by social networking. You can read about him on MySpace, chat with him on Facebook, check out his videos on Youtube, or barrow his music for your own personal use on Creative Commons. Woodward is definitely a force to be reckon with in Cyberspace.




One of the most successful fan pages I came across was….believe or not….Starbucks. Their page is full of videos, links, and quotes. Starbucks actually interact with their fans, which is 6,075,068 by the way….and still counting. Plus fans are constantly commenting on the page as if their on twitter or something. People post their favorite locations, or protest against the ones that are closing down. People even rant on about their favorite drinks, hell I was so intrigued by the page I almost posted my favorite drink “tall cold chai tea latte in a hot cup….with non-fat milk…please.” This page also has a section where fans can upload videos of their Starbucks experience. I must say, Starbucks is definitely using social networking to their advantage. Over all, their page is so exciting; it’s like a little Starbucks community in Cyberspace. There’s a comment posted (on average) every five minutes. Don’t believe me?...Go on there and see for yourself, and while your there become a fan…I did.lol
http://www.facebook.com/Starbucks

Also check out this link below. It's an article evaluating big name companies and their Facebook pages.
http://mashable.com/2009/06/16/killer-facebook-fan-pages/

Social networking will continue to benefit businesses as long as society continues to "log on". This phenomenon isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Yet what we need to consider is the possible negatives. As technology advances we are becoming an impatient society. We want it fast and we want it now. People settle for the microwave version of communication, while the physical human contact slowly slips away. Let's face it, in this place called "Earth", we humans managed to create another dimension that allows us to sell, listen, express, and communicate without having to leave our personal space. Yeah, it's convenient and easy to do, but let us not forget the wonders of human contact; the feeling you get when you see someone you've missed, or the joy of holding hands, the sincerity of a kiss on the cheek. Next time you're around some one...give them a big hug....embrace the human contact. Go forth and prosper. TO INFINITY AND BEYOOOOOOND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Sources:
YouTube video: From Jefferson Gramham-USA today News "Talking Tech Web Video Show"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEJpxMvI0I4


Josh Woodward Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R33UbsREgh4


Starbuck/ MC Esher photo:
http://beanactivist.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/starbucks_escher.jpg

Twouble with Twitter Cartoon:
Current_SuperNews.com via "Social Media @Work & Play" http://www.moneysmith.com/social-media-cartoons/

Assignment #3: Sharing is Caring :o)

Ok I think many will benefit from what I’m about to say. This past week I researched a non-profit organization called “Creative Commons. “ A group of people made up of a MIT computer science professor, a film documenter, Cyb and property law experts, a journalist, and a Japanese entrepreneur. This group of individuals formed a union to protect people’s creativity from being misused and abused. Their website allows people to legally share their creative projects with others without the strict laws and guidelines of copyrighting. So instead of “all rights reserved” to “some rights reserved.” (Their quote, not mine. lol) Copyright laws restrict anyone from using another person work without permission, hence forth the phase “all rights reserved.” Their website offers a way for individuals to allow others to use their creations according to their guidelines, without having to ask for permission or being taken to court. After viewing their website I realized many known companies share their work with creative commons; Google, Nine Inch Nails, Wikipedia, even the Obama Administration. Wow!
Nowadays it’s so easy to violate copyright laws on the web. We see a photo or video we like and post it on our facebook, blog, class assignment, or video; never considering the copyright laws and we put ourselves at risk of being sued. To further understand Creative Commons check out their video:

Now at first I was a little cynical, I thought who would want to share their creation with other people. What if others abuse the original idea, or use it for evil, what if….
Then I remembered a couple of incidents I came across this past summer. I interned at a privately-owned marketing and public relations firm, I participated in many projects and did some on my own. Me and one other guy worked on a couple of videos together promoting our clients and their businesses, unfortunately our boss couldn't use any of the videos because we had music playing in the back ground of well-known artist, and due to copyright laws we couldn't expose it to the public. Only if we knew about Creative Commons prior to the situation, my work could’ve been on television or something. Once I consider that I realized how useful it could be. Besides I find it very thoughtful of others to share their work. We live in such a self-absorbed society, where people are not willing to do something for nothing. It’s nice to know there are people out here willing to help others express themselves without expecting something in return. Isn’t that what life is all about, helping one another? Call me crazy.

Once I was able to identify the situation as a positive contribution to a creative society I was all for it. Creative Common tries to create and maintain a cultural society within this crazy world. Sharing our ideas and allowing others to use them for their own personal expression is a great way to build a better and friendlier community. Let’s share our LOVE…go forth and prosper people. TO INFINITY AND BEYOOOOOND!!!!!!!!!!!!

Source:
Video provided by YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DKm96Ftfko

T-shirt photo provided by Creative Commons/ FlickrImage.com
By: Wesley Fryers Photostream
http://search.creativecommons.org/#

Holding Hands Statue photo provided by Creative Commons/ FlickrImage.comBy:hoyasmeg photostream
http://search.creativecommons.org/#

To Read or Not To Read...That is the Question.

Recently Google declared that they would no longer censor the search results for their China Corporation. Apparently Google and China had a contract together, agreeing to bowdlerize what the citizen of China read or view on the Internet. Sources say Google's decision was based off of some sever cyber attacks. Apparently Chinese Human Rights (most of them located in Silicon Valley, California) activist's google accounts were compromised, and these attacks originated from China. Google remained very careful with their words during interview about the attacks, but they were certain about their conclusion. The company is willing to work out something with China that would grantee user open access to the web without offending government policy….at this point it seems unlikely. In addition Google may have to close their office in China which would put 700 employees out of a job.

View The Interview Here:
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/01/12/business/1247466517265/google-may-close-operations-in-china.html

Due to the fact I come from a land that has fought for human right and achieved great things as a success, it is difficult to side with China’s government. The Internet symbolizes freedom, a path that leads to infinite paths of knowledge. When a group of individuals take it upon themselves to limit that knowledge, their mission is to sustain their power. Google’s choice is a difficult one, especially since China grosses estimated $300 million annual revenues for the search engine company. I commend the company on their tough decision and not allowing money to rule over one’s freedom to knowledge. The Internet can and will continue to play a large role in “netizens” everyday lives. Whether one resides off the coast of California, or in the far open land of Iran, the device gives us as a human race freedom to express, explore, and even execute. This can be very beneficial in a non-democratic society; human rights activist can research websites that contain non-violent strategies. Also individuals could obtain information about their own government that could be used as leverage in civil rights movements. Plus, websites could be launched to help citizens that suffer the same outcomes of non-democratic areas (this has probably taken place already).The Internet gives individuals the opportunity to unify, which could lead to trust, which could build strong movements that could stand up against their government.
With advance technology continuing to rise and the Internet playing a large role in everything, the government may appear to be losing its authority. That may not be as much of an issue for democratic countries like the U.S. but for non-democratic counties like China or Iran it might serve as a problem. Regardless whether there are rules and restrictions in these countries, someone is will find a way to get around the boundaries. I believe the governments will use all their power to sustain control and order in their country. However it is only a matter of time before their high pedestal position will be overthrown by those who followed them. This could come to past due to (once again)the advance devices that are being produce, such as camera cell phones, small hand–held digital cameras, Wi-Fi, etc. All these things could help those who want to challenge authority and expose their wrong doing.

In a perfect world....maybe one day society can embrace change, eliminate egos, and freely walk the path of knowledge, without others being threaten by it. Its time for us to pursue "perfect world" and go forth and prosper...TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!!!!!!

Sources:

Cartoon - kamangir.net/2006/01/31/economy-vs-freedom/

Google Sign - http://googling.phpmagazine.net/upload/2006/02/google-china.png

Article - http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/13/world/asia/13beijing.html

Video -http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/01/12/business/1247466517265/google-may-close-operations-in-china.html

Assignment #1 (Long Tail): Shopping Just Got Easier

Chris Anderson, Editor of Wired Magazine, has been educating the public on the significance of independent produce and reaching niche audience. Not too long ago he wrote and published a book titled “The Long Tail” which was inspired by his Long Tail articles that were posted in his magazine. Long Tail is a phased coined by Anderson in 2004, describing a larger number of unique items that are sold in small quantities to the public. Anderson describes the process distributors must go through in order to get their projects out to the public. As consumers we assume there are not enough movies being made or albums being produced and that’s why we see the same type of movies or here the same kind of songs on the radio. In actuality the problem is there is not enough screen, air time, or shelf space for all these projects. Therefore the distributions are left to decide which project will be placed out there for the public, or in other word which one are they willing to pay the fees for. So as a society we have no say what is being played on the radio, what is selling in the stores, and what we see at the movies….I thought this was a democracy. You see to put your movie in a theater cost….to put your album on the shelf at Best Buy cost…..to put your 30minute show on air cost. That’s where the distributions come in; they decide whether or not your creation is worthy enough to invest in. But due to the lack of shelf space and high prices many creative project may grace the eyes of the public. This is where Long Tail comes in, because there is more projects unseen and unheard digital retailers like Amazon.com, Netflix, iTunes, etc gives the consumers the opportunity to purchase merchandise that was independently produce. Even oldies but goodies can be purchased, items that were considered popular ten or fifteen years ago but are completely forgotten now. Anderson does a great job explaining this process along with the 80/20 rule. Check out his lecture, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yku0GTrcuw&feature=fvw.

Digital distribution is definitely making its way in society. Digital retailers such as Rhapsody, Netflix, iTunes, Amazon, etc. has managed to find a loop hole in this economy and not only profit from it, but also satisfy consumers. I must say I enjoy my 80’s music and in the past I experienced some hard times because these major store (like Wal-Mart, Best Buy, and then…Media Play) didn’t carry true 80’s artist. Oh sure they had Phil Collins, but only his greatest hits; the songs that had radio play. Mom & Pop shops would carry the tunes but nowadays their becoming extinct due to the major store. Therefore imagine my joy when I was able to find my favorites online. Now I admit I’m not a fan of purchasing merchandise online but I’ll break my rule for the Tears of Fears’ song: Everybody Wants to Rule the World. The rise of the digital retailer is pretty significant in this day and age and retail outlets such as Wal-Mart are now biting the bullet and getting involved in the online retail. Currently Wal-mart offers music online for its consumers. Online they sell albums $3 to $4 cheaper and it supplies a larger inventory of albums, artist, and songs. The same process applies to other forms of merchandise such as DVDs, clothes, books, video games and more. So I must say the merchandise out lets are following the Internet trend and supplying more products to the consumers. However they fail to offer products that are independently produced. In the future, creative merchandise will continue to rise and be independently produced. Soon enough these mega retail outlets will tap in to that field and start selling their goods online. But until then digital retailers have an advantage over the mega retail outlets and their websites. The infinitive shelf space that is offered to consumers is definitely beneficial, especially this day and age. This gives people a freedom to choose from an endless selection as oppose to having only a few things to pick from. However i do believe the mega outlets will find a way to gain control again, even if it is selling independently produced items. Plus distribution companies are going to be facing a challenge as well. Through my research I found a few websites that offer artist the opportunity to sell their merchandise to popular online retailers. For example, TuneCore.com is a digital distribution that allows artist to sell their music and videos to online retailers (Lime wire, AmazonMP3, iTunes, etc.). The artist will get 100% of the money earned from downloads and own all the rights. Freedom is on the rise. Now consumers can support their friends or families music by purchasing their songs or videos on line. http://www.tunecore.com/

My professor said to me the other day "the Internet is know as a tool." A tool that allows people to have freedom and not bound them by big corporations and other gatekeepers. Chris Anderson and others is aware of this gift now it's our turn to embrace this knowledge go forth and prosper. To INFINITY & BEYOOOOND!!!!!!!!!

Hi! Its me, Cierra!!!

Okay. This is gonna be a real treat. This is my first blog ever!!! I hope the viewers at home will enjoy my entries...especially my professor whose opinion matters the most ;o). For the next 3 1/2 months i will take you on a journey through cyberspace. I will be post in new information, my own personal opinions and hopefully a picture or two.I consider myself to be a very smart person however my writing says different. So fair warning: I'm a horrible speller (thank God for spell check) and I'm known for making grammatical errors. I will do my best to proofread all my entries, but forgive me if I stumble. Besides that I can't what to start this adventure...buckle up...ready? TO INFINITY AND BEYOOOOND!!!!!!!!!!!