The true power of Social Media

05/02/2011 08:54 AM by Chris Toohey

Last night, while watching Celebrity Apprentice [a guilty pleasure, I admit], a report flashed across the screen that the President of the United States would be addressing the nation. Fearing for the worst, I grabbed my iPhone and hit Twitter and Facebook...

Within seconds I knew the subject of the address.

And with Twitter, Facebook, and the various other social networks lighting up last night, I don't think I was the only one who first took to the medium for answers and then join in the collective reaction.

As is my nature, I cracked wise, then proceeded to make an ass out of myself (as is also my nature) by posting a screencap of what I thought was a typo [Usama vs. Osama].

After the address, I joined a chorus of others and I summarized my feelings into another 140 characters, and decided to turn in.

To ham-fistedly drive my point home, Social Media has changed our world. It's changed how some of us get our news, how we react, and -- most importantly -- how we interact with eachother. No longer can we think locally. Social Media (be it Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, et al) has given you the opportunity to become a true citizen of Earth, crossing previously-perceived boundaries based on land, sea, color of skin, creed, or preferred sports team.

So please tell that to the next person who doesn't get it.

Here, this might help:

.- .-.. .-. .. --. .... - / -.-- --- ..- / .--. .-. .. -- .. - .. ...- . / ... -.-. .-. . .-- .... . .- -.. ... --..-- / .-.. .. ... - . -. / ..- .--. ? / -.-- --- ..- / ... . . / - .... .. ... ..--.. / - .... .. ... .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- / .. ... / -- -.-- / -... --- --- -- ... - .. -.-. -.- !