The Formula of Social Media

         When considering social media there are several patterns that are apparent. These patterns or formulas are about different areas of social media and networking. The large focus on social media tends to be about the individuals utilizing these media sites for networking. There are formulas involved for the creation of these projects and the “life” of the websites themselves. With all objects its creation begins somewhere and its “life” is what varies. I believe that social media follows this formula as well.

            Projects, whether they be internet based or not, being with an idea. The creators for these websites begin with an idea. The idea leads to brainstorming and development. In the article “How to Start a Social Networking Site,” the author suggests deciding what you want your social network to offer, what you want it to look like and what you want the members to be able to do, and who the web host should be (How Stuff Works, 2012). Once this has been decided the creator begins the development stage. The developing involves creating your site based on the decisions the creator has made about the sites abilities. Once the site has been created and members are sought after the site moves into a different stage.

            In the formula for social media we have began with an idea, moved to development and created the website. What comes next in the formula is about growth. With all social media there seems to be a formula with the growth of a website. The website begins with a gaining trust from its members followed by steady growth; these websites gain popularity and gain more members. After what can generally be considered an influx of members the social media site remains steady. As we have seen with MySpace these websites can also lose momentum. It is up to the creator of the website to maintain its members and appeal for its members (Social Media Today, 2011.) The loss of momentum can occur because a newer media site is available, or because issues arise with the original site. MySpace lost momentum for two reasons according to TIME; these are the bombarding of ad’s to net-workers and a failure to innovate (Time Techland, 2011).

            Following the gaining of members, the website must maintain itself. The next step in the formula is survival. From TIME we can see that the websites must be innovative (Time Techland, 2011). The reasons why members choose to move from one site to the next is what the other site can offer. Being innovative is necessary for long term survival. Something that Facebook, Pinterest and Google+ tried to do was to put a stipulation on how you could enter into this social media website. This gained ultimate appeal for future members. Facebook initially only offered entrance based on what college you attending. Following this Facebook chose to make the website free and open to all. Though the website is now available to any who wish to create a page, some countries are still waiting to have an area for them created. Facebook keeps the desire up. For Pinterest and Google+ members must be invited by other members. By creating a desire for the website, and being innovative with their draw in, these sites are trying to gain an edge on the others.

            Social networking and social media is a large part of our daily lives. We often consider our personal formula’s in social networking. Though our dedication to these websites is important for their survival it is interesting to understand what is happening behind the scenes. From the idea to the survival of a created site, there are many steps involved in its development. The final step in the formula following survival is “life” or “death” so to speak. Though we have not yet seen MySpace come to an end, had it not been bought with new investors, it is possible that we could have seen its demise. I think for all, the end is never in sight for Facebook, but what about Google+? We will never know what the minds behind the sites are thinking, but I am sure we will be able to see how they are faring based on the amount of people discussing them at the water cooler.

 

References

How Stuff Works. (2012). How to Start a Social Networking Site. Retrieved on April 29, 2012

            from: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/social-networking/information/start-

            social-networking-site2.htm\

Social Media Today. (2011). Social Networking Growth Stats and Patterns. Retrieved on April

            29, 2012 from: http://socialmediatoday.com/amzini/306252/social-networking-growth-

            stats-and-patterns

TIME Techland. (2011). Could What Happened to MySpace Happen to Facebook? Retrieved on

            April 29, 2012 from: http://techland.time.com/2011/07/15/could-what-happened-to-

            myspace-happen-to-facebook/2/

 

Sentimentalized Adultery

                As time progresses our world, and what has become acceptable in our world, changes. We as people, begin to feel and view things differently than we once had. What was once acceptable may no longer be an example of this would be slavery. Things that were once unacceptable may now be common place; an example of this could be the way children speak to their parents, or abortion. The key to these things is that they may have been happening all along, but what has changed is the acceptability of these acts to society. In the article “Sentimentalized Adultery: The film industry’s Next Step in Consumerism,” the author engages the reader to consider if adultery has now become acceptable, and in some circumstances romantic and enviable.

                Bonnie Zare, the author of “Sentimentalized Adultery” has chosen several films to analyze for her thoughts on this topic. The films used for the article are “The Bridges of Madison County,” The English Patient,” and Shakespeare in Love.” Though the movies differ in their storyline they all involve affairs. These relationships that are witnessed in the movies evoke certain feelings of its viewers. What the author is trying to describe is the acceptability and comfort level, even longing for adulterous relationships. The author explains that as time in the world has progressed, the reason these affairs are able to be an entire story line is because we as citizens find this topic comfortable, and even relatable. Her fear is that adultery may be unnecessary to story lines, but may be added for the appeal that they now have to the masses of viewers.  Ms. Zare also describes certain instances in our history that have brought us to a place that we relish in these relationships and even desire them for ourselves.

                The author of this article believes that several things have happened in the last eighty years that have brought us to this place. She believes that relaxed sexual morals, acceptability of divorce, woman’s independence movements and American’s new found sense of intense individualism have brought us to a place where having an affair means little to nothing. Her definition of sentimentalized adultery is “the depiction of a relationship in which one or more married person’s finds phenomenal passion and emotional satisfaction in an affair (Zare, pg. 30).” Are we so selfish that we no longer value our vows? Are we so selfish and narcissistic that we now must have affairs to keep ourselves entertained? Is no one willing to work for the rewards of an emotionally rich relationship? It would appear that our society longs to want what we want, when we want it. It would also appear that the film industry is giving us just that. Zare has broken these issues down and provided examples of these different relationships and desires in film; her article has shown that this is where the film industry is headed.

                I believe that we live in a society with a huge sense of entitlement and self. No longer are we attending community meetings, where we are responsible to work together (Zare pg. 31.)We are now awarded for first and second place, but also sixth, seventh and eighth. Our society and its members want to be acknowledged for all that they do, whether their actions were worthy of praise of not. Understanding this, we can see that marriages and relationships are probably more challenging now than ever before. We are desensitized to what is right, and what is wrong. There is an argument for the value of everything, and the argument now is “well I wanted it.” Because this is the mentality or our society, it makes sense that film makers and authors are including these story lines; these story lines are relatable for us. People want stories and films to be possible; they want to live their favorite characters lives. The author has made many valid points, the most important of these, that we can sympathize with the characters, even feel broken hearted for them when their affairs end. We are so desensitized to what this really means and how it affects those involved that these are our new love stories.

                Understanding that these things are unacceptable is very important. Though affairs have become the new norm, it does not make them right. Our society is running rampant with broken families, illegitimate children, broken spirits and little sense of family. The pain and emotional suffering of so many can be avoided by the long term and positive relationships that we both witness and become a part of ourselves. There is no longer a need to make things work, because your next option is always around the corner. I believe this article has shown how the film industry is adding to the desensitization of morality. The author makes many valid points and shows the slow rise of acceptability for these behaviors. The importance of this article lies in the truth that we are now a society of “I want what I want, when I want it, because I deserve it, and I am all that matters.”  We can no longer see beyond ourselves, and the film makers know how to make the almighty dollar, because the film makers want what they want, and this is how they get it. 

References

Zare, B. (2001). 'Sentimentalized Adultery': The Film Industry's Next Step in Consumerism?. Journal Of Popular Culture, 35(3), 29

Social Media, Self Made Celebrity and the Loss of Heroes

            There is no mistaking that social media has changed lives. The lives of the ordinary, the lives of celebrities and the lives of entrepreneurs have all been changed by social media in our society. Social media has brought together people that may never have met or engaged together without the aid of social networking and the internet itself. Social media has also created an arena for individuals to attempt to become famous. Instead of waiting to be discovered, individuals can now post videos to YouTube, or Facebook or create their own blog. Information is so easily transferred throughout the internet that a video can become hugely popular in a matter of hours. 

            Being famous or being a celebrity is what inspires many people. Before the age of social media, should one want to be famous they may have had to hound record executives or send in thousands of demos. Celebrity status can be as simple as posting your own videos on the web. A perfect example of the cult of celebrity is Justin Bieber. His name is featured several times on my blog, but his story is what it is because of social media. Justin Bieber began posting videos of his performances, and singing at home on YouTube. He posted videos to share with his family. These videos became hugely popular. Justin Bieber was discovered by a recording company because of his videos and because of how many followers he had. He signed a record deal and the rest is history (biography, 2012). Justin Bieber has a cult of followers and has made millions of dollars, all of which started by posting his own videos. 

            Another example is Rebecca Black. I do not know that everyone has heard of Rebecca Black. The lyrics “It’s Friday, Friday gotta get down on Friday” may jog some memories of this young woman, at least 16 million memories or so. This was the amount of views that she had in 2011, I am sure the number has grown (NPR, 2011). Though the song is terrible, and not written by the singer it took off after being posted on YouTube. The song is terrible, the video is terrible and it really would never have made it to the radio on its own, but it is catchy. Just like that, Rebecca Black became famous, not Justin Bieber status, but famous. Social media has allowed an individual to take control of their own destiny in a way that was never before available to them. I personally find the old fashioned hard work and persistent dedication to be more appealing; however, you cannot blame anyone for trying. The click of a mouse is much quicker than flights and footsteps. 

            Individuals are so interested in becoming famous that a website in Scandinavia has created a place that is said to create local celebrities. This social networking site, DKBN, short for Denmark By Night, was created for teenagers to post photos of them and then rate others. The ratings are done by members of the opposite sex. You are rated and the ratings allow you to see who is the “hottest” in your town. It also compares those “hot” individuals amongst “hot” individuals from other towns. DKBN was created specifically because they feel all individuals desire to be a cult celebrity. This social media site allows individuals to make a name for themselves (red associates, 2012). 

            It seems that celebrities outweigh heroes. People have heroes that are celebrities. Individuals that were able to achieve what we have not been able to achieve is heroic to some. It seems that real heroes and unsung heroes receive less attention. Though the internet and social networking sites host millions of people, our society has become so narcissistic that there is little attention paid to those individuals that are actually doing something. Our society seems to place more value on celebrities and what our neighbor purchased at the grocery store, than people who have truly lived a heroic life. If a movie was made about your story, then people will know you, otherwise it seems our generation has lost what a real hero is. 

Biography. (2012). Justin Bieber. Biography. Retrieved on April 21, 2012 from:

            http://www.biography.com/people/justin-bieber-522504

NPR. (2011). Ridiculed YouTube Singer Rebecca Black Grabs A Mountain of Bull By The

Horns.  Retrieved on April 21, 2012 from: http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/03/18/134652534/ridiculed-youtube-singer-rebecca-black-grabs-a-mountain-of-bull-by-the-horns

Red Associates. (2012). Popularity-seeking Teens Pursue the Cult of Celebrity on DKBN.

Retrieved on April 21, 2012 from: http://www.redassociates.com/conversations/whats_wrong_with_media/dkbn/

Social Media: Rituals and Stereotypes

Social Media has become a large part of nearly everyone’s lives. Consider my Grandfather, in his seventies and blind, my Grandfather was one of the first people I knew to have both a MySpace and Facebook account. Working in the sales industry he recognized what both of these outlets could mean for society. What is interesting about social media is how it has changed our lives, and what it does mean to society.

            When I wake up in the morning I do three things; I check my work email, I check my Facebook account and I get up and get ready for work, in this order. As a manager, I initially was checking Facebook to see what my staff was up to. If someone was going to call off, I wanted to make sure that they weren’t spending the day gallivanting instead of being sick at home. This has turned into an obsession. I now feel the need to know what everyone is up to. Why should this start my day? I have more pressing matters. Technology and smart phones have made these forms of communication as simple as opening your phone in the morning.  Consider also my teenage sister, I do not know that any of our family has been able to look into her eyes since she has received her phone, she is constantly on Facebook.  

            There are other forms of social media as well. On the Microsoft Office Blogs site, a member of the office team provided what rituals we should be taking with our social media and networking. The author provides this list; check your Facebook, Twitter and social media sites regularly throughout the day, write and maintain a weekly blog, and thank those individuals that choose to add or follow you. The author also suggests being regularly involved in social media communities such as groups that support a similar agenda or interest; we should also be checking blogs that we follow regularly and responding to comments made on our personal blogs, or responses to our comments on other blogs. The last ritual is what they call a #followfriday ritual. This ritual involves focusing on others instead of ourselves. On these Fridays, (that’s right, just one day a week,) we should focus on following others (Microsoft, 2006).

            Though there seem to be several stereotypes related to social media, the largest would be the amount of narcissism that has taken over our lives. A perfect example of this would be #followfriday. I am not inclined to believe that this stereotype applies to all social media participants; of course a large majority may fall into this. In previous blogs I have described the belief that social media encourages infidelity and unhappiness in one’s own life. I believe there are many that are responsible with their interactions; however there are many that have brought this issue to light by being irresponsible. In the opinion pages of the New York Times, Ross Douthat explains how social media has led to moral decline. The belief that social media has become so huge in our lives, has led him to believe that social media affects character. I agree.  A simple statement made me pause; Ross Douthat states “self involvement is reaching an all time high.” We are so interested in what we are saying, that we share this with everyone. We share our personal lives and the details that at one time we may have only told our best friend. We want others to sympathize with our problems or at the very minimum be thinking about us, or probably more appropriate; me, me, me (The New York Times, 2011).

            Following this analysis I was having a moment of internal analysis, I am disappointed in whom I have become! I fall into both patterns of both ritualistic behavior, and shamefully, narcissism. I do admit that I only have a Facebook page, and I am very careful about what is posted, however I am always looking for who is adding me and who has stated they were with me. Is it possible that social media is making us our own worst enemies? I can certainly see that some of these behaviors I am not happy about and I may need to take a Facebook break, I worry it may be as challenging as quitting smoking, or quitting biting your nails. They say it takes time to break a habit, I hope I can survive!

 References

Microsoft Office. (2006). What are the new social media rituals? Retrieved on April 12, 2012

from: http://blogs.office.com/b/office_blog/archive/2009/10/06/what-are-the-new-social-media-rituals.aspx

The New York Times. (2011). The Online Looking Glass. Retrieved April 12, 2012 from:

            http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/13/opinion/13douthat.html?_r=2&hp