The era of social media has changed the way we connect with each other. The creation of blogs and YouTube videos has become a means of self-expression, our own virtual diaries that anyone we wish can access and gain intimate insight to our thoughts and personalities. We stay informed on each other’s lives through status updates and find out about engagements and marriages when someone changes their relationship status on Facebook. Companies are able to reach out and establish business relationships that used to take years to build, in less than 140 characters. We can catch a glimpse into the lives of our favorite celebrities, conversing with them and making recreational stalking a thing of the past. Perhaps social media’s most telling accomplishment, however, is bringing deeply rooted tradition, into the 21st century, infusing institutions such as political debates, the Olympics, and even the Vatican with a healthy dose of modernity.
Republican Presidential Debate: “A Republican U.S. presidential debate is set to hit the Twitterverse on July 20.” For the first time ever, candidates will be able to debate over Twitter, not just tweet their stance but argue and defend it as well. The new debate platform created by consulting company 140 Dev, LLC will display tweets by the moderator, debaters and members of the public in separate streams allowing for the public to participate like never before. The creators of the technology are hoping that this will lead to Twitter town halls and even a Twitter talk show in the future.
The 2012 Olympic games: Just last week the Olympic Committee gave the go ahead for athletes to tweet from London next summer. There are, of course, stipulations to help preserve the integrity of the games. For example, tweeters have been told to avoid swearing or using other vulgar language and should report from their point of views, not those of journalists or reporters. Unlike at the Beijing games, photos can now be uploaded onto social media platforms. We will no longer have to wait for the live interviews with our favorite athletes but will be able to be with them in the lockers rooms, rejoice in their victories and mourn with them in their losses, experience the nervous jitters and the excitement, and be able to congratulate them personally when they win gold.
The Pope: The Vatican has had a Twitter account for some time but Tuesday, June 28th marked the first tweet by the Pope himself (see the video). On that date, the Vatican announced a new site, which will be providing news and updates of the Church, the Vatican and the Pope as well as opinion surrounding them, in one place for the first time ever. The site is also being used to promote better communication, not just with the outside world, but internally as well. In honor of the new site, Pope Benedict XVI sent his first tweet using an iPad announcing News. va: “Dear Friends, I just launched News.va Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! With my prayers and blessings, Benedictus XVI.”
Social media is making the world smaller, bridging gaps and blurring boundaries, making what was once clearly black and white, a nice shade of gray. The question no longer remains, how do little people like ourselves reach our idols and be heard, rather it has become, have we finally reached their level? Or have they reached ours, Are you Having Coffee With the Pope in the Morning or is the Pope HavingCoffee with You?
– Erin
