The monster behind social networks

Social networks could workd like this
Most of us who blog and keep track of the latest internet trends know that social networking sites are one of the most popular tools and hobbies of the internet.
The major media conglomerates have had to buy and fight with the myspaces and facebooks of the world because of their popularity. This is why I believe that social networks are going to start loosing relevancy and people are going to start tunning them out. It's helpful to receive suggestions of products we might like, but sometimes it can be too much.
I don't dislike social networks, they are great for people like me who live abroad and allow me to keep in touch with my friends. But like every great tool it must be used with care and knowing the consequences of it's abuse.
All I can say about social networks is that the idea is great and they work great for a few years, but I believe they have to be careful not to overwhelm users because they might lose that connection that we used to have with them. I dont know how you feel about social networks and the invasion of advertising and selling of information, but I invite you to discuss it.

Sources: Online social networks, everywhere and nowhere
Picture: http://orionwell.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/social-network.jpg

Sorry I'm late...BRB

I know this doesnt usually happen readers, but worry not, I got my computer back. Let me tell you. life without it has been hell. As sad as that sounds I have become really dependant on my computer and the benefits it gives me. Thankfully this time I have a topic that relates to my dilema.
The last couple of semester for me at school have been all about what technologies have been out there and how they allow us to interact with one another.

Our western counterparts seem to have the technology fever even worst than we have. There is a novel that has been entirely writen on SMS, (for those of you who dont know, TEXT MESSAGES. This book has become a best seller in Japan and here

Sometimes text messages can evolve into amazing things such as a novel or even a world wide competition.
Look at this video and tell me what you think. It the world's fastes texter. AMAZING!!!



Sources:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/mobiles--handhelds/in-japan-cellular-storytelling-is-all-the-rage/2007/12/03/1196530522543.html

For clarification

The video I posted in a more recent blog does not reflect my political beliefs or tendencies. It was just an example of a media development in support of a presidential candidate.

The new wave politicians

I have never been much of a political guy myself but living in D.C. has forced me to interact and see politics everywhere. This is 2008 and we are witnessing what is probably one of the most interesting presidential campaigns of all times.
This because of the circumstances that the US is going through. But from a technology point of view, I have noticed and many of you might have also, the Internet is a huge part of it. Every candidate has their own website and many of them even have streaming videos on them.

Here is a video you might enjoy, many of you might have seen it, if not, well here it is.


Its facinating to see how people need to adapt to our changes and learn our ways when my whole life I believed that I had to learn from what was happening already. Today it seems as if we are the new future, people that know how to work a computer and blog, express themselves.

The last thing i want to leave you with is this thought. The person who probably is designing these sites, and creating the videos and pictures is probably somebody my age (22) or not far from it, who never knew how much power comes with knowing how to upload a video.

Sources:
The selling of a president
How the web polarized politics

Differentiation is key

Job searching has become a very important part of my life in the last couple of months. I have learned that everything you do can affect whether or not you get hired. It is important to differentiate yourself in the job market and there are certain things in todays world that we as potential employees NEED. I don't know if these will be helpful but here is a list of things I believe can be useful when you interview.

1. Learn a second language (Spanish or Mandarin are important ones for the future)
2. Know how to use social networks and how they operate
3. Be familiar with new technologies that can help your business or that which you are applying to.
4. Try to blog or post writing samples online
   

Blogging is important, it shows you can write and you know how to work technology. Blogs are useful ways to show employees that you have leadership and initiative skills because your are not afraid of put your thoughts out there and letting the world know.

These are just some things I picked up during my interviews and have served me well. Don't underestimate what you are capable of.

Sources: Hiring the best people - - 10 simple rules. The blog is the new resume

Picture source: http://www.completepeoplemanagement.co.uk/67/text/136/files/resume.jpg

"Don't quote me on that..."

With the introduction of blogs, and social media news sources Americans are relying on other people for their news. It is incredible to think that we trust other people more than reporters to give us unbiased news.
User generated content should be taken as that, an opinion, and nothing more. There are thousands of people who will rely on other users alone to get their information. I don't know if any of you do that but I recommend you don't.
There is nothing wrong with getting information from somebody's blog or a social news website. Know that like any other social news website it can be biases and has a goal in mind. I read many social news sites and blogs, but I make sure to back up the information I get from them from more reliable sources.

Here is a podcast discussing social news sites from a G4 podcast. It's kind of long but it does touch many aspects of these new and popular sites.

It's true that sometimes news sources can have some sort of biased to them, but don't do people?

Sources:
"Citizenship papers", "Fifteen uses of corporate bookmarking"

Don't need to "be" there

Brainstorming is the way in which most great ideas come to reality.
I have noticed in my classes that coming up with ideas in a group is extremely complicated and complex. However I have learned that it is the best way to generate creative tactics. The internet has provided us with thousands of tools that once again have proven to be a great help for businesses all over the world. Studies have shown that virtual brainstorming groups beat "physical" brainstorming groups every time.

Here is an example of a brainstorming session at Google I found:

I dont know if any of you have ever been involved in a brainstorming session but if you haven't done so yet I recommend you try it. I have not yet participated in a virtual brainstorming session but I cant imagine it being as chaotic as a "real" life one. This might be the reason for why virtual brainstorming sessions are more succesfull.
Virtual or not the ideas taht come from these sessions drive our worlds and this is why we should appreciate the work that is being done behind walls or a keyboard.


References:
The strange beauty of virtual teams
Working together...when apart