Category Archives: Politics

Are Facebook and Twitter Being Blamed for London Riots? Will Social Media Be Banned?

Posted on by
5

When something good happens with technology we champion it, when something bad happens… blame the technology. I wonder who is going to define what is “ill” and decide when it moves from communicating to plotting.

Big Brother is Watching You!

This is going to be very interesting to watch.

British Prime Minister David Cameron thinks he’s found some culprits to blame in the recent riots that have rocked London and other cities — Facebook and Twitter.

Saying the “free flow of information” can sometimes be a problem, Cameron’s government has summoned those two social-networking sites, as well as Research In Motion, makers of the BlackBerry, for a meeting to discuss their roles during the violent outbreaks.

“Everyone watching these horrific actions will be struck by how they were organized via social media,” Cameron said Thursday during an address to Parliament. “Free flow of information can be used for good. But it can also be used for ill. And when people are using social media for violence, we need to stop them.”

Cameron said that government officials are working with authorities “to look at whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality.”

via British PM proposes social media ban for rioters – CNN.com.

David Meerman Scott Discusses The secret to getting 50,000 followers on Twitter – Thanks For The Love!

Posted on by
2

If you have been following my blog David Meerman Scott has been a influence with his comment at the SF Musictech about how to get 20,000 fans through 2000 different actions. Well David has hit 50,000 followers on Twitter and talks about all the different things he as done to reach that milestone.

Huge love to David for mentioning me in his blog and that I seemed to have caused him to take his comment more seriously.

Read David’s post below, and be sure to follow him on Twitter at @dmscot.

The secret is that there is no secret.

You need to do 5,000 things and each thing you do, on average, needs to gain you ten new followers.

(Unless you are already famous like Howard Stern who got 200,000 followers within a few weeks after he jumped on Twitter).

I started my @dmscott Twitter feed with zero followers in early 2008 and I just passed the 50,000 mark (thank you to everyone who follows me).

There is no secret to building a following.

You need to build a fan base one effort at a time over the long haul. This idea came to me during the Q&A session of a panel discussion I was on at the San Francisco Music Tech Summit late last year.

Michael Brandvold, a music industry marketing maestro, said my answer to a question on how musicians can build a fan base using social media was the best quote he heard about music marketing in all of 2010. So I had to take what was a throwaway line more seriously! (Thanks Michael). Michael has worked on marketing efforts for bands including U2, Rod Stewart, Madonna, Ozzy Osbourne, and Britney Spears and has worked closely with Universal Music Group, BMG/Sanctuary Records, Rhino Records, and Playboy. Read Michael’s 2000 Things to Generate 20,000 Fans Challenge.

The secret to generating 50,000 followers on Twitter

So many people are looking for a secret. They want a formula. Or they want to buy followers somehow. Or trade people for followers.

There’s no secret. Get out there and, as Seth Godin says in his new book Poke the Box start stuff. Do new things. Experiment. Take risks.

Here is what I’ve done to drive followers since March 2008 when I started on Twitter with zero followers.

Actually, if you add all these up its well over 5,000 things I’ve done since I started Twitter, so I am below average in generating 10 new followers for each thing I’ve done.

There’s no secret. It takes a lot of effort.

Thank you to everyone who follows me.

via Web Ink Now: The secret to getting 50,000 followers on Twitter.

Steve Jobs Grants Obama an Audience

Posted on by
1

Is this like the father, son and holy ghost getting together? Obama, Apple and Google, you decide which is which.

President Obama will meet one on one with Apple CEO Steve Jobs this evening, reports Business Insider, before speaking at a fundraiser at Googler Marissa Mayer’s house in Palo Alto. Try calling the cops on Mayer now, neighbors.

via Steve Jobs Grants Obama an Audience.

108 Things Obama has Accomplished

Posted on by
3

Not my list, but definitely something good for discussion. Remember he wasn’t elected Jesus!

I’m sick and tired of people asking “What has Obama done?” So here’s a list of things he’s done since he’s been in office. Remember: He was elected President. He wasn’t elected Jesus!

The list is still growing. Let me know if I missed anything.

1. Saved the collapse of the American automotive industry by making GM restructure before bailing them out, and putting incentive money to help the industry

2. Shifted the focus of the war from Iraq to Afghanistan, and putting the emphasis on reducing terrorism where it should have been all along

3. Relaxed Anti-American tensions throughout the world

4. Signed order to close the prisoner “torture camp” at Guantanamo Bay

5. Has made the environment a national priority, and a primary source for job creation

6. Has made education a national priority by putting emphasis and money behind new ideas like charter schools, but speaking directly to school children in telling them they have to do their part.

7. Won the Nobel Peace Prize

8. $789 billion economic stimulus plan

9. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court

10. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles

11. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans

12. Renewed dialogue with NATO and other allies and partners on strategic issues.

13. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force… this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.

14. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops

15. “Cash for clunkers” program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulates auto sales

16. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan

17. Closed offshore tax safe havens

18. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan

19. Ended media “blackout” on war casualties; reporting full information

20. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts

Read all 108 accomplishments via Things Obama has done… | The Best Article Every day.

Schwarzenegger signs marijuana decriminalization bill

Posted on by
Reply

Yep, I think it is time to look into classes at Oaksterdam University. There is a HUGE market about to explode.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation that will reduce the crime of possession of an ounce of marijuana from a misdemeanor to an infraction, handing a victory to marijuana advocates one month before November’s state vote to legalize pot for recreational use.

The governor’s signature of Senate Bill 1449 by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, will not reduce actual penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana. Under California law, misdemeanor possession of less than an ounce was already punishable as infraction – with offenders facing fines of $100.

Marijuana advocates say the governor’s decision to sign the bill will significantly reduce the number of cases clogging California courts by removing the misdemeanor tag.

The law will take effect Jan. 1, meaning it may be superseded – at least for Californians over 21 – by the November legalization measure.

Schwarzenegger said he signed Leno’s bill because “possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is infraction in everything but name.”

via Schwarzenegger signs marijuana decriminalization bill – Wire – Lifestyle – bellinghamherald.com.