Twitter review of ‘The Resistance’ by Muse, originally uploaded by mistersnappy.
I just tweeted a track by track review of ‘The Resistance’ by Muse, that arrived at my desk this morning and, as you would expect from a Muse album, does indeed ROCK!
I completed the geek/twitter/flickr loop by posting the review to twitter, screen grabbing it, posting it to flickr then posting the flickr link back to twitter. Yay me!
In an article in the Guardian Gordon Brown talks about how the internet allows people in oppressed nations tell their stories to the masses. He says that this this internet revolution gives people the opportunity to let their views be known and talks about this as if it’s new, like today new, like he’s just found out about it. He says, ‘Foreign Policy can never be the same again’. I bet that’s a right pain the in the arse Mr Brown!
The more I read this article, the more I think that isn’t actually what he’s talking about. What he’s really saying is that the advent of forums and platforms such as mobile phones, the internet, twitter and youtube mean that poor old Mr Brown and his political cohorts can no longer ignore these actual revolutions around the world, in our names, and without our knowledge. Popular media is enabling people in the midst of these political crises to get the word out and now it is us, the direct recipients of this mostly first hand information, who are applying pressure to governments world wide to take action, and sometimes taking action ourselves. No longer can the international political community ignore and keep quiet about incidents such as the Iranian elections and pass them off as ‘domestic incidents’ in which they can not be involved. They will find it increasingly difficult to brush oppression and war under the carpet and control the images that appear on our screens.
While some believe that social media is being used to subvert information that comes out of places like Iran, the constant stream of comment, photos and video will become increasingly difficult to ignore. We are now in a position that despite what the news agenda is, the social media universe will define it’s own agenda and will give a voice to people when the mainstream media have moved on to the latest celebrity boob job.
Social media has many faults and is still very much in its infancy but used in the right way it give power to the powerless and a voice to those that some would prefer silent.
A while ago I mused about TV reviews becoming previews with the advent of iPlayer. At the time I recall there being a lot of noise about the coming of ‘on demand’ TV and how it would be the death of appointment to view TV. Well this might not relate to everyone but is certainly a growing phenomenon.
I am an infrequent user of iPlayer and 4OD. I only really use them when I really need to. I hardly download TV shows to watch and have taken to the box set DVD with low level enthusiasm. What I do do is Sky+ just about everything I’m following from MadMen and 24 to Charlie Brooker’s Newswipe and Heroes. A month or so ago I was chucking a late night shift watching Comic Relief while working and little and I got side tracked on Twitter. Using the #hashtag and twitter search I was able to identify who else was tweeting about #comicrelief and commenting on the sketches and gags. Coupling that with Twitterfall, which is a realtime feed of tweets that can be divided in to categories by search term, I was able to single out a feed for variants of comic relief and take part in the conversation. This added a fascinating realtime insight into the live show, kinda like watching it with mates but more so, more honest, mildly geeky but still with a community feel.
After a few days I forgot about it until I started to catch up with 24/Heroes/MadMen, or whatever, on Sky+ and suddenly wished I could share my shock/surprise/incredulity with a co-watcher but then realised that by time shifting my watching I was reduced to posting a single tweet or facebook upadate to a bunch of people who had watched the show days earlier. Hardly a virtual watercooler moment.
Now we don’t have to wait to get to the watercooler to discuss Doctor Who, we can do it online when the show is on. We can comment as the action is occuring and there is no need to wait. I’ve got cold water in my fridge… damn, there is beer in there somewhere too, you don’t get that at work.
Appointment to view TV is alive and kicking and the watercooler is dead… at least the one in the office is!
By the way… I’m watching the tralier for Ashes to Ashes and I can’t wait for next monday!!!
On occasion I have been know to blog in other places. This is one of those occasions. I have written ...
I’m sure you are all eager to know the result of my short lived tête à tête with Swizzels Matlow ...
Dear Messers Swizzel and Matlow I have just opened one of your Swizzels-Matlow Double Lollies Dip. I was quite enjoying ...
Glastonbury 2011, a set on Flickr. I’ve had a shower but not completely unpacked or caught up with sleep. Here ...
After a few changes I am finally on a train bound for Paddington. I’m attempting to write this here blog ...
ayp1sA rstqnrinkgpy
At last! Something clear I can undraestnd. Thanks!
oh my goodness, chocolate flavoured beer?? GEES
Oh my gosh,
sweet!