social media smack talk

Just some food for thought:

I've become completely obsessed with the winter olympics this year. It's really hard to concentrate on anything else. When I'm not in close proximity to a television, I like to watch the live updates on the Vancouver 2010 website . While on the website, I noticed there is a live feed from Facebook along the right side. People from all over the world can sign in and post comments while watching the games live. In theory, this is really cool. You can root for your team, or ask others what you've missed. But with all things social media, someone's going to do something to taint it!

If you watch that live feed long enough, you'll no doubt witness social media smack talk. Viewers from different countries begin to 'diss' eachother and boast greatness. Usually by the end of it, someone from the U.S. uses the word 'superpower'. It's truly annoying to see people from different countries running their mouth. I don't believe this behaviour reflects the spirit of the Olympics.....but anyways, go Canada!

innocent until bashed on twitter

Russell Williams is alleged to have killed 2 women, and terrozied 2 others, he is not fit to be part of this world, eye for an eye, if he is guilty!!

This is the description of the Facebook group 'Russell Williams should get the death penalty!', a group that has 2912 members sharing their opinion about the recent shocking allegations against a prominent member of the Canadian military. I do not agree with Colonel Russell Williams' alleged actions, but what worries me about this situation is the new affect social media is having on our justice system. The creator of this group added 'if he's guilt', but I don't believe the members are assuming his innocence.

The presumption of innocence is fundamentally important to democracy. But how are social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook affecting that right? The New York Times reported in March 2009 that the amount of mistrials are increasing as a result of social media. Active jurors are asked not to research any details of the case they are involved in, however, most of them are members of social networking sites that are a popular forum for uncensored public opinion. This may leave some members of the jury tainted. What ever happened to impartiality?

It's not only a matter of jurors being exposed to outside opinion that may skew their decision, lawyers and judges are shuddering at the thought of jurors using social media during trial. In Arkansas, a 12.6 million dollar judgment was overturned because juror Johnathan Powell posted tweets including:

oh and nobody buy Stoam. Its bad mojo and they’ll probably cease to Exist, now that their wallet is 12m lighter

One juror in England even posted a poll on her Facebook page to help her when she was undecided during deliberation.

Judges in the U.S. started to warn jurors about the use of technology during trial. But is the temptation of social media just too strong?

cheater, cheater, profile reader

For numerous reasons, Facebook has been proven to plant the ripe ol' seed of jealousy in relationships. I'm sure we've all experienced it, either through our own relationships or friends, because this is by no means a new issue. Don't believe it? Well, there's actually a psychological study to prove it.

The report, published in the CyberPsychology & Behaviour Journal, concluded that there's a "significant association between time spent on Facebook and jealousy-related feelings and behaviours experienced on Facebook." In other words, the more time you spend in this virutal world, the more brawlin' you'll be doing in reality. FACEBOOKED!

Psychologists questioned 308 college students (231 were female) regarding their use of FB. Basically they came up with the following points:

-> the accessiblity of information on FB lead to increased monitoring (or snooping) by 19.1%

-> 16.2% of students explicity linked FB to jealousy, however continued to engage in the social networking site

-> 10.3% of FB users found it difficult to limit the amount of time spent stalking their loved one online

-> 7.4% of respondents felt that the lack of context online lead to misunderstandings

Does this study reveal the detrimental effect social media is having on our relationships? Or does it merely show that technology encourages behaviours that already exist within the individual or relationship. Ah, I'm going to say a little bit of column A and a little bit of column B.

Perhaps it's not all bad though. Software engineer Dana Hanna updated his FB status to "married" while still on the alter (no, no, that's still pretty bad). Click here to watch the video.

try not to off yourself

Can society get any more narcissitic? Social media's new kid on the block is an interesting website called failin.gs. Basically, people create a profile that allows others to post comments that judge or defend your character. It's definitely an exercise in self-realization that may end with you drowning your sorrows in a cheap bottle of wine. Once people leave their anonymous feedback, you're then able to organize the comments in to 3 categories: I knew this about me, I had no idea and I totally disagree. Rest assured, only those who know you can voice their opinion.

Founders Danny Peck and Stephen Celis toyed with the idea for some time, but are expecting to launch the private beta on Valentine's Day. The offical launch will be some time in March. They have been active on Twitter though, recruiting 360 followers with only their idea. Peck and Celis are hoping this idea will encourage a more "honest web". Why isn't anyone encouraging a more "honest relationship"? Real friends shouldn't have to hide behind a screen. I'm interested to see how popular this site gets, and if people really want to publicly shed light on their flaws. Do you have the guts?

Click here to read an interview with Peck and Celis.