One of the many changes that I have witnessed in society in my short life of just under 20 years has been caused by social media. The technology that allows social media has advanced so much that many people could not live without it. I personally gave up facebook for lent last year, only to get a twitter during that time to feed my social media needs. According to a tv advertisement for one of the many online dating sites, one in five relationships now start online. This is simply amazing to me.
But where I would like to concentrate with this post is on Twitter and what it allows society to do. I want to first tell a story. Last May, a team of Navy Seals shot and killed Osama bin Ladin. This was one of the moments where every American could celebrate. Even the most radical tree hugging hippies who did not support any kind of violence could get an American flag and wave it. I believe it will prove to be the kind of event I look back on in 50 years and tell my grandkids "I can still remember where I was when...." The only other event I have experienced like that in my life up until this point has been 9/11 itself. But in all of the celebration, one tweet by Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall stood out: "What kind of person celebrates death? It's amazing how people can HATE a man they never even heard speak. We've only heard one side." This sent shock waves over the twitter world, and he had to apologize shortly after. Many people were very upset about what he said. Many sports journalist warned that this was proof that players did not need to be tweeting. However, I believe reporters were saying this because they see that twitter will put them out of business.
Twitter completely eliminates the need for reporters. Why do I need someone to go interview an athlete after a game when I can just wait for what he tweets. Twitter gives high profile people a way to connect directly with the public. And the public gets exactly what the high profile people are thinking, without any spinning or sugar coating by reporters. Its amazing that I can follow John Boehner on twitter and get his exact thoughts every minute of the day. I think it is great that we can cut out the middle man and get the exact thoughts of our favorite athletes or politicians.
