The Internet has done it again. Another program has been created that will better my quality of life, allow me to use social media in ways I never dreamed possible. I recently was invited to try RockMelt and I am totally hooked.
Powers talks about how our hyperconnectivity is ultimately detrimental. But what if hyper connectivity is leading to a streamlining of my Internet experience that ultimately gives me more free time? RockMelt is a browser like Firefox or Internet Explorer but the twist is that it is built for social media. You cannot open it without logging in to Facebook and when it open it displays feeds for whatever social media or websites you check daily. If a site has an RSS feed, it will show a number that stands for the number of posts you haven't read yet. In essenence, my entire Internet experience can be over beore it begins if there is nothing for me to read.
Maybe this is a way to deal with the overload of information that the Internet presents us. We would be in chrge of what we decide to read or not read so it would be up to the user to decide to find worthy content but by cutting down on the time it takes to visit many different websites, mayybe we could be gaining valuable free time to actually exist. Now this is no solution for those of us who are glued to our smartphones checking in on Foursquare or updating Twitter but it does streamline one end of the experience and I think that at the very least that is a beneficial start.
Here's a video of RockMelt in action:
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Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Duke Fake Sex Thesis
I was late replying to the blog but the story intrigued me because I think it's interesting to think about how something can go viral within hours these days.
There is no surefire way that anyone can really know if something with break into the larger Internet consciousness. It's even something that I experience at my internship. Videos are posted pretty regularly and have been for a few years as they have stepped up their web presence but it is always a surprise when something get more hits than normal and a source is always sought after.
The girl that wrote this fake thesis could probably have a reality show if she played her cards right. I mean, it's kind of a no-brainer. She's the sexy co-ed that a house full of guys are after (pretty much like every dtaing-reality show on VH1) and the hook is that she she never dangles sex in front of them but instead eliminates them based on a "scientific" evaluation of their sexual performance. Call it "Hot Scientist" and watch the money roll in.
The Internet is a very public place but when something goes viral it is usually very easy to capitalize on. Look at the Bed Intruder video guy. He was a pretty poor guy and now he's selling T-shirts with his sayings on them because a news video went viral.
I guess my point is that the Internet is crazy and Keen is very wise to be skeptical of it.
Last weekend, I didn't use my computer, check my e-mail or any of my social media from Friday afternoon around 5pm until the same time on Sunday. When I finally checked my e-mail, I had 35 junk e-mails. Just knowing I could ignore that aspect of technology and not "miss" anything was a relief. I always hate when I'm constantly checking my phone or a computer because I have nothing better to do. But knowing that I did something better for two days (despite the fact that I probably watched TV or played video games during that time) made me feel a lot better.
There is no surefire way that anyone can really know if something with break into the larger Internet consciousness. It's even something that I experience at my internship. Videos are posted pretty regularly and have been for a few years as they have stepped up their web presence but it is always a surprise when something get more hits than normal and a source is always sought after.
The girl that wrote this fake thesis could probably have a reality show if she played her cards right. I mean, it's kind of a no-brainer. She's the sexy co-ed that a house full of guys are after (pretty much like every dtaing-reality show on VH1) and the hook is that she she never dangles sex in front of them but instead eliminates them based on a "scientific" evaluation of their sexual performance. Call it "Hot Scientist" and watch the money roll in.
The Internet is a very public place but when something goes viral it is usually very easy to capitalize on. Look at the Bed Intruder video guy. He was a pretty poor guy and now he's selling T-shirts with his sayings on them because a news video went viral.
I guess my point is that the Internet is crazy and Keen is very wise to be skeptical of it.
Last weekend, I didn't use my computer, check my e-mail or any of my social media from Friday afternoon around 5pm until the same time on Sunday. When I finally checked my e-mail, I had 35 junk e-mails. Just knowing I could ignore that aspect of technology and not "miss" anything was a relief. I always hate when I'm constantly checking my phone or a computer because I have nothing better to do. But knowing that I did something better for two days (despite the fact that I probably watched TV or played video games during that time) made me feel a lot better.
Why I Use Twitter (And Why I'll Probably Delete My Facebook Soon)
In the world of Web 2.0, social networking reigns supreme and it's kind of interesting to look at the different platforms that people use to interact with each other.
For some, a more business-minded presence is required and so they use LinkedIn, a site for professionals to join each other's networks, recommend former and current co-workers and maintain relationships on a solely business level.
For most, the casual nature of platforms such as MySpace and Facebook (but at this point, really just Facebook) are more suited to the kinds of everyday interactions that are almost required by the technology we use.
For me, I like Twitter. There is really no reason that a platform so limited in it's use (140 character life blurbs) should be so popular on a logical level. But when we look at Keen's idea of the "flattening of culture" the ever-expanding popularity of Twitter makes perfect sense. On most social networks, you must be accepted as someone's friend. Twitter makes the jump to stalker like proportions. An intimate relationship is not necessary. You just click "Follow."
One click and you can follow celebrities, fake celebrities, animals, abstract ideas, stores, businesses and a myriad of other people and things. The best part is that no matter what you are experiencing direct connection with anyone you mention in a Tweet. no other social network boasts that.
In this sense, I almost feel that the flattening of our culture is a good thing. I've been able to interact with favorite bands and writers of mine that I wouldn't have previously thought possible. Plus Twitter allows you to build yourself as a brand more than any other platform, something that has become increasingly more important as the "you" that you portray on the Internet is the one that you can be judged by in real life.
Twitter allows me to get information directly to the people I think would be interested in it the most and that's why I don't see it as such a bad thing. Plus, it's led to making connections with people I could see myself working with in some capacity in the future.
Yes, there is a lot of dumb shit on Twitter but you are in control of your flow of information. It is not that hard to be discerning.
For some, a more business-minded presence is required and so they use LinkedIn, a site for professionals to join each other's networks, recommend former and current co-workers and maintain relationships on a solely business level.
For most, the casual nature of platforms such as MySpace and Facebook (but at this point, really just Facebook) are more suited to the kinds of everyday interactions that are almost required by the technology we use.
For me, I like Twitter. There is really no reason that a platform so limited in it's use (140 character life blurbs) should be so popular on a logical level. But when we look at Keen's idea of the "flattening of culture" the ever-expanding popularity of Twitter makes perfect sense. On most social networks, you must be accepted as someone's friend. Twitter makes the jump to stalker like proportions. An intimate relationship is not necessary. You just click "Follow."
One click and you can follow celebrities, fake celebrities, animals, abstract ideas, stores, businesses and a myriad of other people and things. The best part is that no matter what you are experiencing direct connection with anyone you mention in a Tweet. no other social network boasts that.
In this sense, I almost feel that the flattening of our culture is a good thing. I've been able to interact with favorite bands and writers of mine that I wouldn't have previously thought possible. Plus Twitter allows you to build yourself as a brand more than any other platform, something that has become increasingly more important as the "you" that you portray on the Internet is the one that you can be judged by in real life.
Twitter allows me to get information directly to the people I think would be interested in it the most and that's why I don't see it as such a bad thing. Plus, it's led to making connections with people I could see myself working with in some capacity in the future.
Yes, there is a lot of dumb shit on Twitter but you are in control of your flow of information. It is not that hard to be discerning.
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