New Facebook App Teeters on the Edge of Stalking

Facebook is continuing to pour out applications. This week, the popular social networking site is off to a fast start.

In an article on CNN, Facebook has released the "Facebook Breakup Notifier" app, which lets users pick certain friends whose relationship status they want to monitor. When one of these people's relationship status changes, the user is then notified of the change via email. It's perfect for those who have their eye on someone who is currently taken. As the app promises, "You like someone. They're in a relationship. Be the first to know when they're out of it."

Here's a picture of what the new app looks like, and its also at this site:



But does this app, which was created by Dan Loewenherz, cross the border of becoming "stalkerish?" At first look, the concept of this app seems to indeed carry a stalkerish vibe, as people's love lives could be being followed by others without their knowing.

In a column called "Signs you could be a Facebook stalker," William Marshall clarifies some of the activities on Facebook that would classify a user as a stalker. While Facebook stalking is a presently an undefined term, there are activities that can clearly constitute stalking. Marshall goes on to say that "if you are infatuated with someone and you are paying close attention to their activities to further your chances of a relationship with them, you are stalking." In this sense, Marshall sees Facebook stalking as "an unknown and unwanted amount of attention by another user." With the points that this article makes, it's easy to see that constantly monitoring the relationship statuses of other users is clearly considered stalking.

But while Facebook users may find it creepy, it will undoubtedly become a highly popular app among users. It has the potential to be the next big thing on this social networking platform. The thing is, no matter how stalkerish a Facebook app or other social media platforms may seem, we always aggregate to them and turn them into the most popular apps and platforms on the web. Instead of turning our backs towards these stalkerish apps, we soak them all in.

I believe that this Breakup Notifier app will follow the same path that other stalkerish apps have gone down. While there may be initial concerns about its stalkerish vibe and privacy concerns, this app will become a huge hit on Facebook and users will flock to it. This shows the power of social media, and at the same time it shows the potential negatives of social media.

For your viewing pleasure, I've included an advertisement for Virgin Mobile which shows how social media can be used to stalk other people's lives. It may be a funny commercial, but in reality, things like this are actually happening.



Well, now it's time to hear your opinion. What is your take on this new Breakup Notifier app? Do you feel it crosses the line of "stalking?" Do you think it will become a popular app among users?

I for one will now be more aware of who I'm becoming friends with on Facebook because who knows, maybe they only want to be friends to follow my relationship status. Let's hear your take on the issue.

State of the Union Address Goes Digital

SUMMARY

As advances in technology continue to erupt, many of the biggest events in our country are incorporating social media campaigns into their operations. One such event is the State of the Union address. This year, the State of the Union address went digital. Many online and social media platforms were engaged throughout the event. Here are just a few of the initiatives taken on the big night of January 25th:

• C-SPAN and PBS's News Hour broadcasted the event online, with sidebars for people to leave comments via Twitter, Facebook, and more sites
• The White House's website broadcasted the event alongside data and images reflecting the subject matters discussed
• Live stream and enhanced presentation of the address on YouTube
• Sunlight Foundation posted real-time fact-checking during the address
• A mobile app that keeps people updated on the address while they're on-the-go
• The public was having political conversations on Twitter, with hashtags #SOTU, #StateoftheUnion and #UnionAddress as trending topics
• People tweeting included some Senators, Congressmen, and the President himself
• Some of the President's policy team members held a live panel, taking questions via Facebook and Twitter
• The Republican response was broadcasted on C-SPAN, PBS and Facebook

ANALYSIS

This represents a major shift in the way conversations in politics are being carried out. No longer are political conversations simply one-way affairs that are controlled mostly by the media and politicians themselves. Now, these conversations consist of two-way dialogue between the politicians and citizens, allowing anyone who cares to join the conversation. This is exactly what the public desires: a chance to engage with the important politicians who are at the center of all of the issues, and a chance for their voices to be heard. With this social media campaign, the White House has successfully turned the State of the Union address into a significant 4-day affair instead of just a 1-hour event.

Overall, I believe the White House used social media very effectively. In the hard times that our country is facing, more and more people feel the desire to express their opinion and truly "have a say." All of these social media platforms that the White House operated before, during and after the State of the Union address gave people the chance to engage in the conversation. It shows that Obama and his administration are committed to creating and nurturing a productive dialogue throughout the whole nation.

I don't have any major suggestions for the White House on how to improve it social media strategy for the State of the Union address. It's really the first time this has been set forth and put into action, so the White House is still in the beginning stages of its social media usage. It will surely continue to test out new platforms in the years to come. In the meantime, I would recommend that the White House develop a social media strategy for all major events throughout the year. This will continue to give the public a chance to engage with politicians and media in the many political conversations that are going on.

SOURCES

http://www.fastcompany.com/1720866/what-you-missed-while-you-were-watching-cnn-sotu-the-digital-party

http://socialmediabirmingham.com/the-2011-state-of-the-union-social-media-strategy/

College Rejection Letters Gone Forever?

When we were seniors in high school, we went through the lengthy process of applying to the various colleges that we had our hopes and dreams set on. Do you remember the anxiety we felt while waiting to hear from each of the schools? And do you remember the feeling of our stomachs dropping when we received a rejection letter from the college that was at the top of our list? Ok, well that last part may only pertain to a select few of us (yes...me included), but we can all agree that receiving a rejection letter from a school we had hoped to attend would certainly hit us where it hurts.

Well, after reading an article on CNN, Startup Splash Networks and Facebook are teaming up in hopes of eliminating rejection letters forever. Startup Splash Networks has designed a Facebook app called "AdmissionSplash" that will show prospective college students how likely it is that they will be admitted to each school on their lists. This app asks for students to input various information, including test scores, GPA, address, other demographic information, and more factors that admission offices take into account. Then, based off of an algorithm, the users receive a desirability rating as well as the likelihood they will get into the colleges they are looking at. AdmissionSplash is up and running for 1,500 colleges. So far, the results have been suprisingly accurate. For UCLA, "approximately 85% of the students the app said would get admitted actually did." Here's a picture of what the new Facebook app looks like up front:














While the app seems to work (it's in the beginning stages), there are a few underlying questions that need to be answered before prospective students throw all of their information to these two companies. First and foremost, this new app requires a lot of personal and demographic information that would seem to have no bearing on anyone's ability to get into a college, such as one's address. This makes the app look a little suspicious, as people might make it out to believe a simple data mining exercise for Facebook and SSN. In his blog, professional Art Director and Designer Michael Leo wrote an article about the rise of Facebook applications that have underlying intentions to harvest demographic data from consumers. This is a direct violation of privacy on the consumer and tons and tons of people are falling for such applications. Is the new AdmissionSplash app just the next one in line on this list?

Second, the question needs to be asked: can an app or algorithm truly be developed to help predict whether one will be accepted to a certain college? And if so, can it ever be reliable? While results for UCLA have been accurate for this new app, that's not to say it works for the other colleges.

That said, if people do try it out, will they believe the results? The consequences can be detrimental if one tries out the app and it informs him/her that the chances of him/her getting into a school are not good. As mentioned before, it's not 100% accurate. It's not full-proof. It isn't the "real thing." Someone who is rejected by the app can just as easily apply to the school and get in.

Thus, I don't know whether this app should be trusted. Questions will continue to linger around this app for as long as it is in existence about whether it can be trusted or not. Is it just a data-mining attempt by Facebook and SSN to get more information on consumers? Are the results it produces reliable enough? What if one is rejected by the app but in reality, he/she would've gotten into the college had they applied? When it comes down to it, I don't know if I'd be able to trust this app. Thankfully, I've already been through the college application process, so I will not have to worry about ever using this app. But for those who will, I stress a heavy word of caution.

Tweeting With Twitter...Take 2

Ahh, it's time once again to share my thoughts on Twitter. I have a lot to say, so bare with me. Let's get started!

Having taken Media Writing with Mary Ingles, I had the luxury of completing this Twitter assignment last semester. Before then, I had no true desire to enter the Twitter universe, feeling that it was nothing more than a waste of time. But as the assignment went on and as I continued to gain more knowledge about Twitter, I began to understand its true value as a social media tool.

When I discovered that we would be completing the same assignment for Public Relations Writing, I was glad that I would have another go-around with Twitter. I hoped that it would be a chance for me to learn even more about this ever-growing tool.

Much of my first run with this assignment last semester consisted of tweets about what I was doing, what sports I was watching, what was on my mind and a bunch of other random blurbs. I was not utilizing Twitter for all that it was worth. I was treating it more as a chance to declare to the world aspects of my life when there were more creative reasons to tweet. The problem was that I did not fully realize this…..until now.

One thing I have found to be really enjoying about Twitter is posting links to articles that might interest other “tweeple.” Whether it is an article about a sports figure, an entertainment scene, a global crisis, or even a technological breakthrough, I have gotten into the habit of placing the links on my tweets. This is one area that I find heavy value in Twitter because it is a two-way street: not only can people take a gander at the articles I tweet, but I can read up on articles that my fellow tweeple are sharing. It can be anything from breaking news to random interviews. The best part about it is that I don’t have to go to numerous websites to read find these articles. They are right there for me on my twitter feed, waiting for me to read them. Ever since I have developed this habit, I repeatedly check Twitter for new articles while continuing to post those that I feel I should share with everyone. It truly is a valuable source for all that is going on right before our eyes.

In reading the article “Twitter for College Students,” there is one tip that really stands out to me: remembering that your tweets (unless protected) are viewable by anyone with the Internet. The tip goes on to say “keep it clean” and “avoid profanity.” Over the course of the time I have spent on Twitter, I have been following many athletes, news reporters and many more professionals. For them, and even for every single “tweep,” it is crucial that their tweets are appropriate. Any mishap or wrong step in a tweet can be seen by just about ANYONE and it can potentially result in heavy consequences (depending on the situation). Therefore, it’s critical that people are always aware of what they are tweeting about and making sure it’s appropriate and clean.

What is interesting is thinking of the various opportunities Spaulding Clinical Research, my client, can use Twitter for its Public Relations efforts. Spaulding Clinical has recently created a Twitter name and plans on making great use of it. Some of the reasons they will use it will be to tweet about events that are coming up that they are sponsoring, to tweet about clinical studies they have announced or ones that are upcoming, to tweet about any new company news that has evolved (with links to news releases), and to allow people to inquire about the various events and clinical studies Spaulding Clinical will be involved in. The opportunities Spaulding Clinical has with Twitter seem to be limitless at this point.

While I plan to continue to follow everyone that I am currently following on Twitter, there are five people/organizations that I will heavily be tuned into:

· My brother Matt Wessel (mwess) – being brothers, we have many of the same interests. His tweets cover topics that I am heavily interested in, so it is always interesting to see what he has to say.
· MarquetteU – this organization is constantly tweeting updates about events, stories, people and more around Marquette’s campus and around the world. It’s a great source of information to keep myself on top of what is happening around me.
· Bucks – the Milwaukee Bucks are my favorite sports team in the area (besides Marquette of course), and I will continue to follow them to stay up-to-date on all the important information and news surrounding the team.
· BreakingNews – I love using Twitter to discover any breaking news around the world, so this Twitter account is right up my alley with everything it provides.
· ESPN – being a die-hard sports fan, I will continue to follow ESPN for all of the up-to-the-minute news, scores and information it provides.
· And for a bonus sixth person/organization, I will continue to follow Mary Ingles for any insightful tweets she provides.

It feels good to have gotten this all off my chest. Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed it!

Finally 21...do I smell Las Vegas?

This past weekend, my brother and I celebrated our 21st birthday, a time in our lives we thought could not come soon enough. I won't sit here and share all of the hilarious details, but just like any 21st birthday celebration, it was a great time.

Now if you don't know my family, let me tell you that it is a big one. There is my mom, me and my six siblings (which includes three sets of twins), my stepdad, and three stepbrothers (and a bunch of in-laws mixed in). I always thought that being the youngest in the family was the greatest because being the baby means you get more gifts, you get away with things your siblings didn't, and you get to follow the paths of your older siblings so that life doesn't seem too hard. But as I grow up, I'm starting to realize that there are many things to look forward to in life the older you get. One of those moments is your 21st birthday.

Unfortunately, my brother and I, being the youngest in the family, would be the last ones to turn 21. On top of that sorrow, for any 21st birthday in the family, my stepdad's gift is to take the entire family to Las Vegas for a weekend. However, only those who are 21 and over would be able to go (OUCH!!). This means that on three or four occasions, my brother and I spent the entire weekend at a friend's or relative's house while the rest of our family was living it up in the magnificent city that is Las Vegas. I have to say that those were some of the most boring and aggravating weekends in my life to date.

But that is all in the past because our time to celebrate in Sin City is just around the corner. This upcoming weekend (Feb. 12-14), my brother and I will join our family and crew in Las Vegas for a weekend to remember. Everyone should be able to experience Las Vegas at least once in their lives, and I couldn't be more happier that my first time will be with those who I love the most and are the closest to me. Let's just hope they are there to support me if I lose all of my money.....

Tweeting With Twitter

These past couple of years, I have been watching before my eyes the evolution of social networking. I have even jumped on the bandwagon, joining MySpace before switching to Facebook four years ago. But then comes Twitter, the next big idea, and soon everyone is joining it. I just didn't see any reason for me to create a Twitter account and thought it would have been a waste of time. Was I ever wrong.

Twitter has proven a lot to me over these past two weeks. It's basically Facebook without all of the extra junk. It's just updating your status (tweets) and seeing what else people are saying. Never in my life have I seen an easier way to stay in touch with friends, family, and the entire World then through Twitter. It's communication made easy and fun.

Initially, I was dreading the fact that I actually had to create a Twitter because I had been so against it for some time. For the first couple of tweets, I put way too much thought into what I was writing and wasn't truly having fun with it like most do. But once I saw people tweeting about random events, facts and stories, I realized how fun Twitter could actually be. I looked forward to signing in and tweeting new things each day, knowing that many people would see it and take it in. Most of the time I would tweet about my day, but I also found time to tweet about random quotes which I am looking to do more of now.

Another unique aspect of Twitter is the popularity it has gained from celebrities, as people around the globe follow them and what they are doing. I even joined in by following various pro athletes and a couple Hollywood actors. It's interesting because they are doing exactly what we are doing: finding time to share with many people what is going on with them.

But the biggest thing I learned from this experience is the power of Twitter as a news source. Right when something happens, you can bet that someone is tweeting about it to get it out to everyone. The speed with which news can travel on Twitter is astonishing. I remember finding out about the "balloon boy" incident through Twitter just moments after the balloon had taken off.

All in all, it was a great experience. Twitter has shown me the power of social networking not only as a means of communication with friends and family, but as a means of news communication around the globe. That is the value I have found in Twitter and the reason I will continue to use it. It serves as one of my main news sources, keeping me up to date with things that are going on around the U.S. and around the Globe.

Just as a little side note, the event that I chose for my client is my older brother's Concert For Life. I'm sure I will be working with him to set up some promotional tweets along the way to get people to come out and support the American Cancer Society. So be on the look out.

You have how many sets of twins!!!

I get this reaction all the time when I tell people how many sets of twins I have in my family, and I'm pretty sure my siblings get the same reaction when they tell various people. Just to fill you guys in, I have three sets of twins in my family, and an older sister on top of that. What's unique is that we have a set of each kind: boy/boy, girl/girl and boy/girl. I never realized how big of a deal it was...until now.

You see, growing up, whenever my mom met someone new, it didn't matter what they were talking about, she would somehow find a way to inform the person that our family consisted of seven kids, including three sets of twins. Being the youngest of the seven, along with my twin brother, Ben, I was around most of the time when this happened. It got to the point where, whenever my mom started up a conversation with a new person, I would place bets with Ben on whether she brings up the twin topic. I'm pretty sure I won most of those bets.

To me, I didn't see why she always liked to bring it up. At first, you might think it's because she wants to brag. But if you ever meet her, or have met her, you'll know that's not my mom at all. She did it, and still does, because she has so much love for her family. We are her love and joy, and she tells people of us because she is proud of us. The consistency of my mom in telling our story to others has helped me realize the love my family has had for each other.

Everyone knows that family is the most important thing in the world to an individual. Being able to grow up with six other siblings and a loving mother was truly a blessing. You see, I was only eight years old when my dad passed away. My mother and siblings did all they could to help show me the ropes in life and help me grow into the man I am today. That is family love at its fullest.

My siblings and mom have continued to be there for me, and we've all continued to be there for each other. Now when I meet someone new, I have grown into the habit of telling him or her about my family and how many sets of twins I have. It's not to brag, but to express the love I have for my family...just like my mom did.