Using Social Media to Make a Difference

Social media continues to grow as millions of users check Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and more each day.  Though people have brought up many negatives about the growing expanse of social media, one huge positive is that some people are using it for social change.  Last week in my class we played The ReDistricting Game (click here to play).  Brought to you by the USC Game Innovation Lab, the online game allows users to take a hands-on approach to learning about active citizenship and politics.  Many other online games were created to engage and inform people.  These mediums are important because so many people are online for many hours of the day, yet they still need to be informed about global and national issues.  In addition to games that educate players on current issues, other social media sites can be used as a platform for education.

Social media is not only used in relation to current issues, but people are also using social media to further causes.  I recently took part in the Harvard relay team challenge through Swim Across America, a non-profit organization that raises money for cancer research.  Most people on my college swim team took part in the event and pledged to raise money.  Within days of signing up, posts on both Facebook and Twitter started popping up regarding the swim.

The organization even has their own Facebook page to generate buzz and raise awareness. Using social media does work.  Both people whose posts I used went beyond the fundraising minimum (one even raised more than $1000).  Social media gives people easy access to causes.  College students, a group that widely uses Facebook, may not have a lot of money, but if 10 people give $10 that's $100 right there.  Adults are also a growing demographic on social media sites and they may have more money to donate.  Social media allows you to reach people all over the country and to really spread the word about your favorite cause.  I am excited that so many people were able to use social media to promote Swim Across America and I look forward to future directions social media can take to create change, both with current social issues and worthy causes.

Sources: redistrictinggame.org, twitter.com, Facebook.com

Advertising Overload

Hello readers!  Sorry for the delay--I let a relaxing Spring Break get the best of me but I'm back.  Last night I went to see The Hunger Games at the AMC Theater in Harvard Square.  The showing was at 8:15 but when we arrived at 7:45 the line was already out the door.  The theater quickly filled and after a short while the previews began for an audience happily munching away on overpriced popcorn and candy.  This perplexed me  a little since the showing was after most people's dinner hour.  However, going to the movies is an experience that many people define as more than purchasing a ticket and spending two hours squashed in a theater.  Rather buying a pop and box of candy seems to be part of the evening for many.  The act of visiting the concession stand has now been conditioned into our minds.

Just before the movie started, there was an AMC commercial featuring Coca-Cola cups and bags of popcorn (with the AMC logo everywhere), as people around us slurped their drinks and popped kernels of buttery popcorn into their mouths.  My friend who was stuffed from dinner even considered buying a bag of popcorn because she didn't want to see a movie without a snack.  Movie theaters have figured out how to suck every dollar out of consumers' pockets.  I would be curious to know how many advertisements people are exposed to during a trip to the movies.  It starts with the posters lining the street showing upcoming movie posters and AMC promotional slogans.  Once you enter, the concession stand is full of name brand snacks and drinks.  More movie posters abound as you enter your theater.  Leading up to the showing, the big screen often plays a mini-show featuring new television shows, popular brand products, and celebrities endorsing one-night events in theaters.  During our wait, I watched promotions for Coca-Cola and Cirque du Soleil.  Then we saw 6 previews! SIX! In fact, an article in The Los Angeles Time says that movie trailers are becoming as important and exciting as the main show (read here).  Personally, I just wanted to see the movie.  I was getting very anxious for the movie to start, but first we were treated to the AMC commercial mentioned above and a wireless provider (I can't recall which one) commercial about silencing your phones.  The commercial conveniently featured characters from The Lorax...who of course urged you to come back and see The Lorax in a theater near you.  Whew, I was exhausted just processing all these brand names.  The movies are a huge industry and millions of people go to the movies.  I am not a frequent movie-goer, so I was quite shocked by the advertising overload I experienced.  Do you go to the movies often? Do you feel bombarded by all the advertisements?

Sources: Google images
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/apr/10/business/la-fi-ct-trailers-20120410