Democracy. What is it supposed entail? The definition of democracy is "a system of government by the whole population of all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives." Is that really what we are experiencing in America? Or are politicians voting based on the companies that line their pockets with the most money? Or trading votes with other politicians based on their own personal agendas? Where is our voice, the citizen's voice? Democracy 2.0 holds an amazing prospect, and I personally hope that the momentum continues to grow. Through social media, and by tapping into the vein of Americans, with their constantly plugged in mentality democracy 2.0 is a wonderful idea. The internet has become a bridge that is capable of linking people, ideas, and opinions. The voice of the majority can be calculated and shared with those that are elected to vote on our behalf. Pia Mancini and her organization, Democracy OS is revolutionizing the opportunity that the citizen has to participate in government. Through this software they will make available the legislation that is on the floor. This will be explained in terms that are more easily understood to the population. Additionally, this will encourage the conversations about the upcoming legislation available, and there is also a button to choose either for or against the bill. This information is then available to the elected official. Democracy OS is trying to take this one step further and promote their own candidate that will be held to the voice of the people that are voting through the software. Although they were unable to get their candidate elected this time, the current government in Argentina is now willing to look at the data that they are collecting through the votes collected through their software.
Why is this uniting of citizens important? In an era of fear we have given up immense amounts of privacy. The Patriot Act opened the floodgates that allowed the government to legally begin spying on American Citizens. The government has found loopholes around the laws and have taken information on Americans under the guise of National Security. We will only have a voice when we unite with those that share our ideals. A new way of uniting is through social media outlets. This wave of technology can be the change that finally brings change and accountability to our elected officials. The views of the majority will have a voice.
War-torn Syria has its residents fleeing by the droves. This on the media report focuses on the individuals that are at the Vienna train station in Austria, seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Currently, they are in Vienna as they await their next home.
PHYSICAL
The report is based in the Austria train station. Refugees are escaping the war in Syria and migrating to Germany. Many are displaced and camping out around the train station.
PYSCHOLOGICAL These refugees left their homes and are disheveled and desperate, and there is uncertainty in their future. The good news is that the Austrian people are opening their hearts to their plight, versus the response from the Austrian government, which have issued a cold shoulder.
SOCIALLY
The interesting facet about the social connection is that there is a human connection. The Austrians are witnessing the conditions that the refugees are struggling with and doing something about it. They are providing tents, food, and helping to ease their suffering. Also, the Austrian's are connecting with each other via social media. The bulk of the truth in reporting is coming from their own social networks. The Austrians are disgusted with the lack of aid from the established political parties. Many feel ashamed with the leadership's response to the situation, which is hiding responsibility by saying that there may be terrorists among the refugees. Even local companies are donating to the refugee cause, and allowing "help time" for their employees to render aid.
CULTURAL
The Austrians are changing the perception of their culture. These acts of kindness towards the Syrians are rewriting their history as a collective group of compassionate and generous people.
TEMPORAL
The time frame of the Syrian was has been going on for over 4 years. The ramifications of the war are affecting both the Syrians and the communities that are receiving them in real time.
The desperate situation of the refugees is being aided by the people of Austria. The citizens are communicating amongst one another, and businesses are stepping in to alleviate the suffering. This is being done in spite of the lack of influence and organization of the government. People helping people is the best part of this story.
Education is an important part of our culture. We want to live in a society which values education and empowers its citizens to be informed. The new innovations in technology have afforded society with many methods for retrieving and disseminating information. Social media is an added component available to education in our always plugged-in society. It became the horrifying images that flooded twitter when the reporter was shot, a voice for the #blacklivesmatter, and money to the ALS cause with #icebucketchallenge on Facebook. The question is whether this sharing of information is actually education? Or should education be considered best within the traditional form of a school house? What constitutes learning? Has it evolved to include the various avenues of social media?
Some of the benefits of incorporating social media in the classroom are to promote student interest. When students are engaged it is linked to positive student learning outcomes, as evidenced with critical thinking and individual student development. There are several factors to consider with increased use of social media in the classroom. An increase in peer interactions occur with social media and relationships are available through this medium. Twitter provides a running history of the movements as they unfold. Also collaborations are made available, and this is especially useful through google docs, where entire groups can develop a project and continue to improve it in differing spaces and times. Additionally, this aids in knowledge development because students are encouraged to read peer inputs to classroom discussion, and come to understand the differing viewpoints on many subject. The virtual classroom is a new venture, and once the students get comfortable in the new environment it can be a place for a different learning experience. In these examples, yes sharing information can be educational. School doesn't have to be constrained to a brick and mortar building. Current events are important to understand because it is the newest history that is being written right before our eyes. Social media has grown and there is something we can learn from it everyday.
Everybody learns in a different way, and the generations that are going through school now are extremely comfortable in the virtual community that houses our society.
Through this medium, many are embracing its possibilities and sharing the present as it passes through time. The question isn't can social media allow education, the question is what are you going learn from it? The answer is up to you.
Kim Davis believes she took a religious stand against gay marriage, and she refused to give marriage licenses to gay couples in Kentucky. As a county clerk, that was her job. Since the Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage is now legal, Kim Davis knew that as a county clerk issuing marriage licenses, her religious beliefs may be impacted by her job. My question is WHY didn't this issue get dealt with BEFORE she started denying marriage licenses????
Other states have dealt with this by having those that work in the marriage license offices that are not opposed to gay marriage, be the individuals that issue those licenses. It appears to have been drawn out for drama, especially since they were able to assign her to a different department after the public display.
PHYSICAL
The location for this played out in Kentucky, and was distributed by many news channels. Additionally, people have taken to Facebook to either decry or praise Kim Davis for her actions. This news about her has been added to Twitter, and political candidates have attached their names to her cause. Also memes are popping up with comments both for and against her behavior too.
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PSYCHOLOGICAL
The impact has to do with the impasse. There is not a way for everyone to be content. The law is now in place and everyone has the legal right to marry whomever they choose. People opposed to gay marriage are not easily changing their minds. While those that are behind the equalization of gays to include marriage are equally set in their mindset. Both sides should be afforded their opinions. The happy medium is for people to work in jobs that don't require them to do something that is against their religious ideals.
SOCIAL
The Supreme Court has ruled that gay marriage is legal and the country is adjusting. There are growing pains as people learn how to accept the new reality. Back in the 1960s our nation had to adjust as the Civil Rights Movement brought about great change, and as the black community was able to integrate into the fabric of America. There was opposition from some while others more fully accepted the change. The same is true today. Now, gay marriage is a part of the American experience, and it is available for those that choose it for their lives. Some will continue to kick and scream and drag their feet, but that won't change the present. Gay marriage is here to stay.
CULTURAL
The underlying theme is a diversification of culture. Kim Davis and her supporters honestly feel that God abhors gay marriage. This is a strong belief, and because she was willing to go to jail rather than issue a marriage license to a gay couple she has endeared herself as a martyr for the cause.
Conversely, the LGBT community has finally been recognized as a legitimized entity, and to have the new privilege of marriage denied feels like a slap in the face. This has been a long battle for their organization. The governing body decreed that this is a right they have, but Kim Davis and others are not allowing it based on religion.
TEMPORAL
Gay marriage is like Obamacare. It is implemented, and it is not going away soon. The continued political support for the martyrdom of Kim Davis is going to keep this story alive for some time. The division of opinions between the sides of gay marriage and religious freedom is causing a gulf, where neither side is able to see eye to eye. If one side wins, then the other side loses.
CONCLUSION
Those that are fighting against it based on their belief in God are missing an important piece to God's puzzle. According to the Bible, one of the commandments is to Love one Another. It is God's place to judge and man's place to love. By denying someone something that is legally available to them is judging them. Kim Davis is free to have her religion and her opinion on gay marriage. She is also free to choose employment that doesn't conflict with her beliefs. This creates a win-win, judgement free scenario.
Ashley Madison is not the cause of affairs. Ashley Madison is a symptom of a growing problem infecting communities and families around the globe. Many believed they had found a safe way to have their cake and eat too. Now that reality has unleashed, they have been told the buffet is over and now it is time pay. You are always free to make your own choices, but you don't get to choose your consequences.
PHYSICAL - The physical beginning of the Ashley Madison kingdom was built online. Men and women used the anonymity the site provided to seek relationships outside of their marriages. Then, if the chats and flirts in the virtual world proved promising, they would move to the physical reality and take the "relationship" to the next level. This model proved successful for many years as Ashley Madison grew in users. Until, of course, the security of the site was breached and the users were exposed. The secret, double lives of its users were now published for the world and their spouses to view. As the old Chinese Proverb teaches: "If you don't want anyone to find out, don't do it." Some people that hid behind the screen of darkness found their physical world turned upside down, as the cloak of Ashley Madison came crashing to the ground.
PSYCHOLOGICAL - There are several perspectives to consider regarding psychological implications. The user of Ashley Madison believes that there is an unmet sexual need or lacking of emotional intimacy in the marriage. The offended spouse is feeling abandoned and betrayed. Additionally, the families of those outed for a spouses infidelity because of the data breach are also damaged in the wake of scandal. Divorce and distrust in marriage have a domino effect and hurts children too. Many lose their belief that love lasts, and feel torn between their love for their parents and choosing one parent's side over the parent. One person's decision
to secretly have an affair does not only impact themselves.
SOCIAL - The social implication is an interesting aspect of the Ashley Madison data breach. Now that the system has been exposed and hacked, the inner workings of the business model are available to dissect. The married straight men were baited by "female bots," who are not even real women. Also, only 8% of females were users on the site. Ashley Madison catered more to these straight men and engaged as an organization in the interactions they experienced. Socially, these men were seeking a fantasy, an escape from the mundane existence of the work, wife, kids, and PTA. Evidently, the role these husbands and fathers are playing at home are not meeting their needs or expectations.
CULTURAL - The popularity of this type of website speaks volumes as to the values and ideals that are held in societies across the world. Since Ashley Madison was available in over 30 languages people in many nations participated in seeking affairs and relationships that were married. Culturally, people have become desensitized as to the sanctity and purpose of a marriage. Television shows, movies, and even cartoons depict people having affairs on spouses. Over 50% of married women will have affairs, and 60% of married men will have affairs. As the familiarity with watching people cheat on spouses becomes a regular occurrence it is not surprising that Ashley Madison gained such a wide spread following. The surprise is that everyone is surprised, and then pretend to act like they have never thought anything like this site could exist. It exists everyday in everyone's home when they turn on their televisions.
TEMPORAL -Social Media has taken Ashley Madison and exposed not only its users, but is also broadcasting its inner workings and how it targeted specific users. When the hackers breached the security which Ashley Madison had promised its users, it needed the channels that social media provided to make its threats and wreak the most havoc. This venue was provided in real time and reached the hacker's desired audiences exactly when they desired. Then, without the hackers trying, twitter, Facebook, and news outlets began to add fuel to the fire. Reading through some tweets about the scandal reveal that there is less outrage about the hack than when Target and Home Depot experienced breaches. Most felt that the Ashley Madison users deserved this timely consequence.
Eventually the lies you live will become your truth. This topic is very personal to me and my opinion is that if people want to live the single lifestyle, then they should not play the types of games that are enabled by websites like Ashley Madison. Our society teaches through its media that relationships are meant to be broken and twisted. We shouldn't pretend to be appalled when our society reflects what it experiences through these channels.
1. Your campaign involves a Facebook page based on a theme and defined communication objectives - the type of business or community page you wish to develop and describes your social media presence, your venture's name and mission.
This Facebook page is for Rowland Stone. It is a family owned and operated business that is located in St. George, Utah. The type of page I would like to create is a local business page and the type of social media presence I would like is one that represents ideas for landscaping projects using our materials of rock, flagstone, and boulder. I think this would be effectively communicated by posting pictures of landscapers and homeowners completed projects. Offering some advertising to these landscapers and accolades for the homeowners that participate.
The venture's name is Rowland Stone and the mission is:
At Rowland Stone, we are a 20 plus year, family-owned rock company. We supply the necessary landscape rock, flagstone, and boulders to compete with the water deprived environment of this beautiful desert community we all call home. We believe in going the extra mile, providing excellent customer service, and standing behind the quality of our products. We are in business to rock it. We are able to support eight local families that work for us, and are still able to invest in growing our business. We service St. George and many of the outlying communities surrounding us. We believe in achieving high customer satisfaction and work diligently to resolve any issues with speed and compassion. The employees that work for us are part of the family at Rowland Stone. Several employees have been with our company for over a decade. We want our employees to feel at home here, as well as any customer that walks through our doors.
2. Your campaign plan posted on your blog includes a minimum of three market personas, people-types you want to target for successful clicking.
Landscapers - These individuals are the bread and butter for our organization. Helping them market their work will also help benefit Rowland Stone. As more people find a highlighted landscaper to do their projects for them, which will result in more rock products purchased.
Home-owners - These customers provide a word-of-mouth referral that helps generate more business. As one person beautifies their property, the next neighbor likes to "keep up with the Joneses."
Concrete/Pool/Construction workers - These individuals also constitute a bread and butter for business. Pool workers use flagstone in facades for waterfalls into pools and many boulders to build walls around pools. Concrete workers use a lot of mason sand for curbing around landscapes. Then Construction workers need varying products depending on the scope of what they are completing. Some need lava cinders for outdoor fire pits, others flagstone walkways, and some rock in bags to protect water flow onto city streets.
3. Your campaign plan posted on your blog explains your tactics; how you will reach your audience, including cross-promotion on other social media channels, and how you will make your page compelling.
How to reach audience - I plan to send out an email blast recommending joining the Facebook page, and explaining how posting pictures of completed projects to the site will draw business for themselves. Additionally, I plan to establish a regular content posting routine. In this weekly post I will discuss a suggestion to keeping your yard looking great, or sharing information about a new product we have, or sharing a picture I received from a homeowner or landscaper/contractor that is unfamiliar with how to post on social media.
Another tactic to reach the audience will be to determine common interests based on a search of similar Facebook pages using Graph Search. Then, based on that information, I will run highly targeted Facebook ads. Finally, I plan to offer something of value in an effort to draw out a like to the page, by linking the like to the use of the value. Also I plan to use #hashtags to cross promote on twitter. Finally, I plan to offer a physical location for the food trucks during lunch time and promote that on Facebook as the food trucks would also promote the location to their customers. This would also be a physical draw for people driving past to notice the food truck and then make a mental note of the business where they saw it parked.
DISCUSSION
Why can't we all just get along? This is a question that has
been plaguing society for generations. What is the cause for the disparity between the races? Is one race greater than another? This isn't a black and white issue. This is an issue that effects individuals, families, and generations.
The current image of racism is shifting. There is still much attention given to those that spew thoughtless and harmful insults targeting individuals because of their skin color. This is true for any variation on the color wheel, and includes the LGBT community. The point is that these outlandish comments detract from where the focus of racism has shifted. Racism 1.0 has morphed from easily
interpreted judgements into the form of Racism 2.0, which
requires an educated ear to hear its voice.
Let me explain.
Since Racism 2.0 is a covert form of racism, many have difficulty deciphering it. Then, because it is more challenging to recognize, it is viewed as a problem that is no longer in existence. When, in fact it happens every day but simply slides under the radar of overt accountability. This is mostly because it lacks the crass nature of Racism 1.0. A broad example of Racism 2.0 relates a white person, who proclaims to not be a racist making a covertly racist statement. For instance, a white person, noting how amazing it is that this black man was so "well spoken" or "articulate," but then thinks nothing of their comment. It sounds like a complement. Though, the underlying question to counter this "non-racist" statement is: Why shouldn't this person be well spoken or articulate? The color of his skin should not result in a surprise at the high aptitude the individual achieves. This is Racism 2.0.
POSITION
There is truth to the statement that "It's HARD to see RACISM when you're white." The reason this is true is because of the unspoken ideal of white privilege. Tim Wise, an advocate of combatting racism, relates that it is his intent is to educate white people about the disparity between other races versus the white race. For example, white privilege is defined by the White Privilege Conference, which includes being able to:
Assume that those you are studying about in school will be the same race, gender or sexual orientation that you are.
Assume that your failures are not a result of or attributed to your race or gender.
Not have to think about your race, gender, sexual orientation, or disabilities on a daily basis.
Many whites, like myself have these advantages in our daily lives. We are not given a wary eye as we pass others on the street. We are not targeted as potential criminals because of our white skin. We are afforded the opportunity to conduct our lives without the interference of judgements from strangers that know nothing of our intentions. We are free to live the American dream, and this opportunity is something that every American deserves.
An interesting scenario was mentioned in a thesis I researched about Racism 2.0. The activity described is called the Race Game. To play the game the white student was required to use the word "white" whenever they described their encounter with a white person. For example one might say,"I was at this restaurant, and the white waitress I had was so friendly." The "game" is intended to point out that "whiteness is never acknowledged by white people."
If this is true then that means that whenever one is describing an encounter and inserts, "black guy" or "hispanic girl," etc., then that is also a form of racism 2.0. There is a dividing line between the races and one of the keys to removing the barrier is in the use of language. Referring to a person as a person is the human element that can build bridges and unite races. We can all get along. The only disparity between the races are the ones that are so engrained we don't even realize they exist. It can be a black and white issue, an open and shut case. It is right to treat others with respect and dignity, without prejudice and judgement. Together we can derail the movement of Racism 2.0.
Is the FDA its own entity? Is it there to protect the consumer from harmful drugs? Or is it another bureaucracy that is molded and transformed to the will of the big pharmaceutical companies? Drug manufacturers are finding new ways to contort the better judgement of the FDA with old fashioned bullying techniques, on a new social media platforms.
PHYSICAL
Flibanserin, a.k.a. the Little Pink Pill, grew in power and support within the social media campaign entitled "even the score" which was marketed on the internet. The axiom is to highlight the purported disparity in the 26 drugs available for men's sexuality versus the 1 that is available through flibanserin. The validity, cause, and necessity of flibanserin increased with the campaign. This was due in part to cross promotion on the channels YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and also a website dedicated to its success.
PSYCHOLOGICAL A woman's body is a sensitive subject. Deciding on whether or not to seek help for a sexual issue is a deeply personal choice for a man or a woman. There are several possible reasons or situations that cause a woman to experience a decreased libido: relationship issues, depression, hormone changes, and even a woman's body image impact her sexual desires. Thus, the option for a woman to have a medication which improves that area of her life is important to consider. SOCIAL The phenomena of the "even the score" campaign speaks volumes as to the power of social media. The are many elements involved in the discussion of flibanserin. They include the pharmaceutical company, Sprout, the FDA, women's equality, greed of corporations, political power, and feminists, to name a few. Sprout had many players on its side. There were 19 non-profit organizations that supported the mantra of Women's Sexual Health Equity. Also, they were backed by 11 members of Congress that encouraged the FDA to approve flibanserin.
Additionally, as the "even the score" movement gained momentum, many people become aware of the issue. Then, the FDA was in the line of fire for requesting more testing and not approving the "wonder drug." The FDA defended its decision to not approve flibanserin because the side effects of fatigue, sleepiness, dizziness, fainting, and nausea. These were not acceptable outcomes versus the rewards of increased sexual desire.
Essentially, Sprout was able to paint the FDA as a sexist entity in the public eye, that would not allow women the simple desire to get back their libido. This was accomplished through the many social media channels. For example, #HERstory, #eventhescore, #addyi. After the FDA gave in to the social pressures, it was followed with #thankyouFDA.
CULTURAL The values and attitudes of our culture are illustrated by how Sprout was able to convince the FDA, through shaming on social media, and political pressure, to give Sprout the approval they wanted, even when approval had been previously denied. With the use of #HERstory, "even the score" was able to get 60,000 signatures for the online petition urging the FDA to support flibanserin. The opposing viewpoint only garnered about 600 signatures. The question becomes: Is it the viewpoint that is important, or is it the way the viewpoint is marketed to the population? Another way to question the situation is addressed by Ray Moynihan: Is this a feminist movement or a marketing masquerade?
TEMPORAL From the beginning of the "Even the Score" campaign, which started in June 2014, it took 15 months to change the decision of the FDA. Previously, another company tried to get flibanserin approved which gave up after 1 year, and then sold it to Sprout. Sprout also tried unsuccessfully for 3 years to bring their drug to market. Then when they launched the social media campaign, it took off and allowed them to gain support and ultimately approval. The rest is history. CONCLUSION Social media is a force to be reckoned with. It can build dreams and and it can destroy lives. The simple click of a button on a screen may seem insignificant, but when it is multiplied it can become a movement. This progression of our society brings us into a cyber reality which can effect real change in our physical environment. When people speak together with one focus, voices will be heard.
Why is this uniting of citizens important? In an era of fear we have given up immense amounts of privacy. The Patriot Act opened the floodgates that allowed the government to legally begin spying on American Citizens. The government has found loopholes around the laws and have taken information on Americans under the guise of National Security. 
