What will Social Media Change in the Future?

Social Media has already changed the future in my opinion.  If you think of where we were three years ago this is very apparent.  In fact, according to the module for this assignment, AT&T’s mobile traffic has increased by 4932% in the past three year.  That is quite significant as the where we’re heading in terms of social media.  Keep in mind, that’s just based on the increase of a single company’s mobile data. Studies have shown that 46% of user that are younger than 35 prefer mobile devices for social media.  The future is going to be a portable one, that’s for sure.

Samsung’s new Galaxy S II X Smart Phone has a dual code 1.5Ghz Processor (which is about the equivalent of the new dual core netbooks) and has better graphic capabilities than that of a netbook.  Having a 4-5” smart phone that has more power than a 10”+ netbook or notebook that fits in your pocket you don’t have to think about whether to take it with you, you just do.  This is of course the reason that social media tools can, will, and continue to be accessed anywhere.

      

Microsoft introduced a new social media game called Avatar that allows users to hang out and do things with other people using the Kinect Sensor for the X-Box 360.  Right now it’s unclear if this game will be successful, but think about what’s happening here.  We now have the ability to have a virtual party, with props, interactive objects, and pretty much everything that’s available in real life in a real world simulator.  It’s interesting for sure.  Being able to virtually interact with other people in other country in a virtual world sounds like a fun thing to do.

Games are heading toward a more portable and social aspect.  There are more gamers now than there has ever been.  Social media helped with that as games are being promoted on facebook, twitter, you name it and I’m sure there’s been a game add or perhaps a simple facebook game that someone got hooked on.  Personally I believe that the game market will start becoming much more dominated by the mobile market such as smart phones than any other platform.  What do you think?

My New Found Social Media Skills

Social media skills are an important asset to have in today's society.  It enables individuals and companies the reach audiences around the world.  It all starts with something interesting.  Through my time at Durham College and a course specifically designed for social media (Social Media and Society), I have acquired the knowledge needed to develop and utilize this powerful skill.

When I started the course I didn't have a lot of exposure to social media tools.  I had a facebook account and that's about it.  Funny thing was that I didn't really know much about it nor how to use most of it's features.  Today I'm proud to say that I can use a vast amount of the popular social media tools available such as; blogger (what you're reading right now), facebook, flickr, xtranormal, linkedin, and a vast majority or others.

Each tool has a common purpose, to share with the world whatever it is that you wish.  For me it's about reaching potential customers around the globe for the games that I will be developing for various platforms.  Selling products in a store is yesterdays version of selling.  E-Commerce with feedback from all over the world is where it's at.  Have something worthwhile that people around to globe enjoy and Social media will take care of the rest as the word of mouth becomes word of the world through social media.

Just as I'm writing this, you can comment on it.  That's social media.  Social being between two or more people.  The ability to respond to what it is you're interacting with.  Like commenting on this blog, or commenting on my pictures on flickr, or maybe it's giving a rating and a comment about a game that I've released.  All these things are social media tools.

If you're not into social media yet, it's a good time to start.  It's the future of many things.  So go and get started making a name for yourself online.  A good name for yourself online that it.

The Potential of Social Media to make a Social Change

     According to the “expert” Malcom Gladwell, the answer would be no.  I would have to strongly disagree with that, and yes definitely.  In fact, I believe it already has.  The facts in the module prove that there has been significant social change.

Ashton Kutcher was able to help Malaria No More; a cause to help malaria provided 10,000 mosquito nets.  That to me is a social change, and that’s only a single person making that change.
Let’s talk about Flash Mobs for a minute.  According to Mr. Gladwell, real social media change can never come from loose networks of people that don’t know each other.  Again, I would have to disagree with that.

Flash Mobs for example have made a huge difference in the lives of others.  One instance of that would be the donation of more than 400 pairs of shoes to local organizations to anyone in need (http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=527887).  Social change can in fact be done by people that don’t know each other.

I have experienced it first-hand doing a collective event for a local Community Centre.  Two years ago, in July 2010 I was asked through facebook by an old friend to help with a community event.  This event was the collaboration of several Community Centres in which did not know each other.  It was a weekend event for families to enjoy together which didn’t happen very often in my old community.  I lived in this project community most of my life, I knew that the community had never seen anyone do something of that nature before, so I was excited to help with it.  The event was successful, so successful that it still puts a smile on peoples face when they think about it.  Without social media, this event would not have been possible.

Social change doesn’t have to be on a global scale.  Sometimes, it’s as small as changing how a small local community feels about where they live, and brightening the hearts of those that are in despair.  Is all of this evidence not social change? If a parent changed the life of their child through facebook because they could not be with them, there had been social change through social meda.  It only takes a single person in my opinion to make social change.  So yes, I do believe social media is able to make social change.

Social Media - Increase or Decrease the Quality of News and Information?

Social Media allows everyone the opportunity to post about anything and everything.  I do believe that the quality of news and information has been increased.  However with that said, I don't believe that everyone provides quality news and information.  I believe any news and information is best served by the closes person or people from which the news or information came from (The source).  With anyone able to share what's going on around them, I believe we as a society receive more accurate news and information than what we see on the classic "news" channel.
I also believe that quality doesn't necessarily mean serious.  Funny stories for example, are much more entertaining being shared by a comedian type person to enhance the story.  "News" stories seen on T.V. tend to have a negative and or serious nature to them.  Watching the news on TV tends to play juggle with people's emotions.  One second they're telling you about a great family event to take the kids to, then 2 seconds later they tell you that a father of 3 died in a car crash.  Being able to separate this type of news and information would definitely increase the quality in my opinion. The reason why the quality has increased is because we don't have to listen to those horror stories and things that play with our emotions just to see what the weather is going to be like tomorrow.

My Final Verdict: YES, social media does increase the quality of news and information!

If you think you can provide quality news and information give it a try!

If you think you could use some help on what you should be doing to get a fan base, Heather from Keep It Simple Social Media demonstrates how you can be a better social media author, editor, and publisher:

Quality Over Quantity - KISS Social Media

She also provides additional help through her youtube page.  Check her out!

My Perception of Social Media

Social Media is a huge step forward in many ways.  The value social media provides both merchants as well as customers are undeniable.  Being a business owner previously, social media would have been a great “word of mouth” technology that could have boosted my business with little to no overhead.  It is a very exciting time and I hope to reap all of the benefits from using social media.

Social Media and Society

Kombowz Entertainment is being educated on the use of social media to enhance our reach and connection with our customers.  We are pleased to announce that we are being taught by Jordanne Christie; An amazing professor at Durham College.  More news to come!