Adolescent Bloggers

After discussing the blogosphere in class, and having now had personal experience with blogging, I have come to realize how it can be beneficial to me and to companies as a way to build relationships and make connections; however, adolescent blogging is kind of iffy territory. This issue has both positive and negative aspects because on the one hand if a child blogs from adolescents they will be better equipped to compete as they get older and these skills are necessary for school and jobs. On the other hand, it is dangerous territory, and often kids are not aware of the dangers of putting personal information online and how this contributes to their digital footprint. In order to address this issue, me and a few other classmates discussed the pros and cons on a podcast.








Shownotes

• {Music Intro}
• Introduction to Podcast “Topic: Adolescent Blogging” .5seconds
• {Music}
• Sherry: Article by Bob Sullivan from MSNBC.com 1min 3seconds
• {Music}
• Cori: Concerns & Benefits 3min 3seconds
• Bradley: Controversy with Justice Samuel 4min 25seconds
• Marie Osmond/Adolf Hitler 5min 26seconds
  
• {Music}
• Analee: Raising Entrepreneurs, “Carl”/“Yuga”
• {Music}
• Closing Discussion 7min 40seconds
• Resource Mention: Blogsafety.com 9min 46seconds
• Closing 10min 2seconds
• {Closing Music}

Twitter for Terrorists?

After discussing the micro-blogging site, Twitter, in class this past week, I found an interesting article while searching for more information about it. On cnetnews.com, I came across an article, which voices concern over the possibility of terrorists using twitter to orchestrate attacks. The first thing I thought was "Is this for real?". Twitter seems so innocent.

The report was done by the 304th Military Intelligence Battalion. It is believed that the site could be used for targeting as it is already used by extremists to get their ideas out there and gain supporters. The article offered a number of scenarios in which terrorists could use twitter as a communication device in planning attacks, many of them included accessing twitter through a cell-phone.

I am not yet a twitter user, so I am not sure what I think about this article. It seems a little bit extreme in my opinion, but I guess you have to consider how all of these emerging technologies that are so beneficial to us could also be used in other harmful ways. It is much easier to ignore that side. While I think that this issue should be watched closely, I'd like to think that it is highly unlikely that anything like this would happen.

CBS Goes Interactive

As a new part of CBS Interactive, the network is adding social lounges to their online program that allows users to watch full episodes of CBS network television shows. These "social viewing rooms" will allow online users to chat about shows while they are watching them.

This is a great example of how CBS is moving into the WEB 2.0 world in which users have the ability to interact, as opposed to the "read-only" WEB 1.0. The website allows users to join groups based on the shows that they watch, and then chat and discuss the show with people who share the same interest. The program is also offering these social viewing rooms for old series that had a sort of cult following, like Melrose Place.

http://www.cbs.com/socialroom/

I think that CBS is taking a positive step in creating a more interactive experience for users. Watching television shows online has become increasingly prevalent, and creating a social lounge where people can share their opinions is a great way for CBS to get feedback, and the writers of the shows can also use this to see what viewers think of show content and what direction they should take the show next.

Hopefully the response to this new option will be positive, the only problem I can foresee is people wanting to concentrate more on watching the show than chatting about it, but CBS is taking the right steps in jumping on the Web 2.0 bandwagon.

Speaking of Podcasting...

After discussing podcasting again in class on Thursday, and getting our feet wet with garageband, I was feeling a little bit intimidated and technologically "unsavvy" you could say. I don't have a mac, so I haven't really gotten a chance to play with it other than in class, but while doing some internet searching I came across this twelve year old, Nicholas Montgo, who has produced a successful podcast and even gets a share of revenue from advertisements! So I'm thinking, maybe this won't be so bad...



Nicholas started Blastr.tv, which is a live podcasts that deals with issues concerning tech news, gagdets, youtube videos,etc. Because it is a live show, he is able to interact directly with his listeners as they call in and contribute their own opinions or questions. He also gives some good advice to people who are interested in starting their own podcast, which focuses on the importance of content first, over making money because if the content is good then the rest will fall into place.

This is just another strong example of how podcasting can be beneficial and get an average person some recognition among millions of users. Because he has started so young, I think that he success can only grow from this point.

Now I just need to tackle this garage band thing...and consider getting a mac maybe...

Mathew Shepard Foundation Uses Social Media to Promote their Campaign to Erase Hate

As the 10 year anniversary of college student Mathew Shephard's death approaches, who was killed as a result of a gay hate crime, the Matthew Shepard Foundations is calling for people to join their Campaign to Erase Hate.



"This campaign provides tools on how to spread the message of “erasing hate” by using innovative technology, viral marketing, personal relationships and the power of “personal voice” to create social change," according to the Foundation's website.

I think that the Campaign is moving in the right direction in utilizing social media to spread the word and engage users. Through a sign-up page on the website, users are able to create their own page to support the campaign, which allows for a number of unique possibilities. In doing this, the Foundation is able to start a conversation among those who have strong feelings towards this issue and maybe even engage users that weren't initially aware, but want to take part in the Campaign. This is a great way to raise awareness because people can get information from other people just like them that are passionate about the issue rather than relying on only information published on the webpage.

I think the most important thing that the Campaign advocates is the power of "personal voice," which is definitely true in the social media world.

Timberland's Earthkeepers Facebook Application

So, I always wondered what was behind the idea of the facebook applications that allow you to give your friends plants or plant trees. One of these, I discovered, is all a part of Timberland's Earthkeepers Campaign, which also includes a blog and an environmental forum on the social networking site, Changents.

The Facebook application already has over 58,000 monthly active users. I think that it is gaining success because not only is it something cute that friends can give to one another, but it is actually helping the environment. The application promises that "each tree grown into adulthood will be planted in the real world to fight deforestation, desertification, and drought."

http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=10820316983

This is something that Timberland can also acquire brand recognition from, and it will be associated now with projects such as Earthkeepers that aim to help the environment. This is a perfect example of how social media can do the work for a company if it is used appropriately. While there are other tree planting/giving applications on facebook, I believe that Earthkeepers is one of the few that is actually attached to a retail brand. Timberland makes outdoor and recreational shoes and clothing, and while they admit that this can be a contributor to the environmental problem, they created Earthkeepers as a way to give back to the environment. Timberland seems to have made a good choice in taking the initiative to dive into the social media world.