First, I haven't wrapped my brain around everything that's happening in Ferguson. Horrible doesn't come close to describing Michael Brown's death, or the nightly images pouring out of what looks like a domestic war zone. But plenty of people are writing about the long-term social issues and what this means for race relations; I could, but there are plenty of people on the ground doing excellent first-hand reporting and gathering string for more longer, thoughtful pieces.
I'm thinking about the other issues that will arise from Ferguson:
1. Will Twitter be the acknowledged 24/7 news source? The live streaming being displayed on Twitter is better than anything I've seen on TV. It's raw and powerful --- and it's real time. Instead of the Sunday night canned cable shows, I watched Twitter as the violence flared. In addition to the live streams, tweeting, photos and videos have given me more quality formation that I can keep up with. I'm using the NYT and CNN as supplemental sources of information --- and that's a first for me.
2. Are we watching the biggest American social media story to date? I think so. All of the social platforms are fairly mature, so they're able to disseminate information faster. The closest thing I can think of --- the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007,
3. Will authorities try to limit social media use in certain instances? Given the First Amendment, I don't see how that's a real possibility. But we have seen efforts by local authorities to trample on citizens' rights through intimidation and equipment confiscation. Could we see even more of that in the future?
4. Is crowdsourcing now mainstream? Seems like it, based on what's happening here.
5. Will social media engage in self-censorship? I would hope not. But --- if there is information that is knowingly incorrect, or places lives in danger real time, would a social site remove that information?
These are just a few of the things I've been thinking about. And really, none of it is as important as getting to the bottom of the events that led to a young man death's.
I'm thinking about the other issues that will arise from Ferguson:
1. Will Twitter be the acknowledged 24/7 news source? The live streaming being displayed on Twitter is better than anything I've seen on TV. It's raw and powerful --- and it's real time. Instead of the Sunday night canned cable shows, I watched Twitter as the violence flared. In addition to the live streams, tweeting, photos and videos have given me more quality formation that I can keep up with. I'm using the NYT and CNN as supplemental sources of information --- and that's a first for me.
2. Are we watching the biggest American social media story to date? I think so. All of the social platforms are fairly mature, so they're able to disseminate information faster. The closest thing I can think of --- the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007,
3. Will authorities try to limit social media use in certain instances? Given the First Amendment, I don't see how that's a real possibility. But we have seen efforts by local authorities to trample on citizens' rights through intimidation and equipment confiscation. Could we see even more of that in the future?
4. Is crowdsourcing now mainstream? Seems like it, based on what's happening here.
5. Will social media engage in self-censorship? I would hope not. But --- if there is information that is knowingly incorrect, or places lives in danger real time, would a social site remove that information?
These are just a few of the things I've been thinking about. And really, none of it is as important as getting to the bottom of the events that led to a young man death's.
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