Anyone can collect comments; but only here will you also get irreverent, fun analysis of public opinion!
It seems that people are split on the accuracy or inaccuracy issue as much as they are to simply and directly judge and give an opinion. Such is the case when one lives in this era where we are heightened to race issues since we are, clumsily so, trying to figure out a new race dynamic between us. Far from post-racial society, we are watching and observing what is appropriate to a new nation of plurality. These incidents provide people with a way in which to discuss in a public manner an issue that is very troubling to many. Thing is, is it enough. What is interesting is that it seems that people are willing to deal with a world where if certain things aren't said, that's good enough. But what if we are still thinking them. The real question could be how to we re-educate ourselves to move from defining a standard and everyone else outside of that standard, compared to that standard. It may take time, but this is surely what will happen, eventually. In the meantime, wonder if the Tony Awards folks are happy that the awards are on the lips of more than the usual suspects today. Hmmmm..... Maybe not...
Well, we hardly get that first cup of coffee at the office on a Monday morning before we see some major chatter over a race related term. Did he or didn't he? That's the question within media outlets today regarding Sunday night's Tony Awards and host Neil Patrick Harris who happened to do a little song and dance number that seems to have included the dreaded "N" word. So Harris took to Twitter to defend himself saying that he did not say/sing the word. Now inquiring minds keep watching the clip over and over to try and decide the verdict. Let's see how it's playing out in the comment arena.
Privacy, privacy, privacy. We've said it before, and we'll say it again: privacy and its parameters will continue to become one of the most debated issues of our time. Certainly most all the comments are a thumbs down on this one, though few are surprised. What might be most interesting is not what is said here, though, but maybe what is being thought. How long before more devices are made that assure scrambling of information -whether on the black market or above board. Hmmmm..... Can you hear me now?
The media is abuzz with news regarding the fact that personal data has apparently been collected on Verizon customers by our National Security Agency as a result of a "top secret order." All in the name of monitoring behavior that could lead to terrorism, the government has apparently been doing more than its fair share of ear-hustling. To make matters worse, the White House initially declined to comment but now defends the activities outlined in the report from The Guardian. Yikes. The reverberation continues through the comment arena even though the news broke the other day. To the digital public sphere!
Wow, rough one here for Ms. Rice. Hard to find almost anyone in her corner - not even on the urban-related sites. This speaks to the value of transparency in our culture. It is becoming more important every day. Those who miss it, will have a hard time getting what they want. Whether true or false, it is the question - the hint of doubt - that is becoming less and less tolerant. Why? There is a huge trust-deficit in our culture. Whether induced by the 2008 economic fall, chaos and uncertainty overall or more; this is the situation. The Rice reaction says it all. Take heed no matter what industry in which you might operate! Goes for personal, too!
Well, UN Ambassador Susan Rice might not have been able to get the okay for Secretary of State, looks like it's now all about her stepping into position as National Security Adviser - even after all of the criticism regarding her involvement of the public explanation on the attacks in Benghazi, Libya. Thus many of her detractors have much to say about this new development, just as do her supporters. But let's peep public sentiment so that we can see what's really up. Even though it's been a couple of days since the announcement, the comments still keep building...
Sad situations such as this, immediately give us the opportunity to discuss what we value in our society today. So many of the comments reinforce the fact that Paris' situation demonstrates that money does not lead to happiness (even though that object is chased for hours a day each day in a capitalist society). But what is interesting here is that the media coverage and media reponsibility around the situation is being discussed just as much as the Paris' mental state. With so much media error lately happening simultaneously with a major change in media, is making so many of us re-evaluate the place of the media, its place in society and more. While paparazzi behavior has come up before regarding responsibility in the media, there is a growing volume regarding types of coverage, staff and media agenda. Celebrity coverage brings our attention to this attitude. Will the SmartPower shift, that is, the empowered individual, actually begin to move as a collective voice to force change in media reporting? Perhaps. This is definitely a question to ponder, at the very least. In the meantime, our prayers are with Paris, for sure.
It's been a few days, but talk is still going strong concerning the attempted suicide attempt by deceased King of Pop, Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris. Said to be unhappy and feeling very much alone since the death of her father, Paris was taken by ambulance from her grandmother Katherine's house earlier this week. Though drugs are said to have been utilized, there are no confirmations just yet. Now, much speculation is taking place across the media, but the real discussion is being had in the comment arena. Let's take a look at what's being said and see why....
What these reactions could show is how we are re-evaluating social interaction with each other, what is considerered permissible or not and behavior based on gender/race. How interesting that just as many people thought that interrupting is rude (and, therefore, FLOTUS was justified in her firm hand) as much as it was seen an ungraceful move by FLOTUS. What has been expected of notable figures, in terms of behavior, is being challenged by those figures themselves as we welcome new voices into the fold. People will continue to be shocked because it is seen as new behavior whereas it is not really new at all, it's just that those from certain sub-cultures have not been seen as much before now. Watch for more of this to take place, giving people cause for pause about previous stereotypes and perceptions as well as re-considering what are considered manners in fast moving new millennium. In the meantime, don't mess with Mrs. O, is the take-away from this situation, we suppose!
Much of the chatter in the political space, aside, of course from that of the recent Susan Rice appointment, is about the First Lady's response to a heckler at a recent fund-raiser. By now, everyone knows that Michelle Obama does not take heckling lightly; and when, during a speech, FLOTUS was interrupted by an audience member who spoke about gay marriage, Mrs. Obama stopped and shared a few words including, "...I'll leave." Not having to be as gracious as her husband, Mrs. O has the comment-arena afire about her, shall we say, realness. Peep some of what we found below....
Well, we did try and find at least one positive comment. Thing is, there weren't any - so far - the story has only been posted, max, for about 8 hours. But the early comments surely show this: if there is a media shift, and there is one, most people do not think that this alliance is indicative of what the public wants nor needs at the moment. Driven by males of primarily the same ethnic-background, these deals and perception of what the "public" wants is simply becoming more and more skewed. Funny that milliennials are the most diverse demographic ever so just who are CNN and Buzzfeed positioning to and for, exactly? Attempts on both sides for name value moreso that innovation seem to be what commenters are sniffing. Let's see how this one develops (but judging from the early posts, prospects don't seem to look so great). Hmmmm.....
Leave it to public opinion to quickly discuss something that two male executives got together and thought was a fab idea. The latest digital union now seems to be between CNN and Buzzfeed. They have announced a cozy little relationship that has resulted in a YouTube channel "for milliennials." Hmmmmm.... CNN gets younger eyeballs (think so?), and Buzzfeed gets credibility (really??!! particularly after recent events and CNN ratings?), resulting in a proud bit of digital boasting by the two, today. Let's see if the comment-sphere is just as excited as these two media outlets are...
What might be most interesting about all of this is that we may not have ever even heard much about it had not the customer decided, in true SmartPower form, to post the message from the delivery guys on line, thus becoming his own media outlet and reporter, no need to call CNN. While many of the comments show that people are disgusted by the behavior, they are not surprised; and this says a lot about the state of our society today. (this also shows corporate America once again who is in control - the wronged or vocal consumer can now take a brand down in just seconds via digital platforms.) Incidents like these do, however, provide an opportunity to discuss what so many throughout the comment arena have said, and that is that this sentiment persists and it's more about getting to the root of the sentiment rather than the mere incident itself. Let's watch and see who might develop a seamless manner in which to do something like that in the near future. In the meantime, wonder if Pizza Hut's stock will go up for a minute after this :-)
Yikes! People have barely finished checking all their voicemail messages after the long holiday weekend, when already there is drama. Seems like a lot of the comment arena is exchanging thought about a little incident that recently took place involving a couple of pizza delivery guys from Papa Johns. Seems the employees thought a tip they received was too low. What's the best thing to do in a situation like that? Well, leave a long voicemail message for the customer, calling him the "n" word and everything else. Yes, you read right. This cause the CEO of Papa John's to post an apology on the company's Facebook page. Yikes. Let's get a quick peek at some of the sound off....
So, what is this really about, after all? Posturing? Power? Manipulation? Each of these and more plays a role, but at the foundation the discussion around the digital water cooler on this hearing is really about transparency - a value that is becoming more and more deeply ingrained in our society in this era. People make assumptions about something/someone being "good" or "bad" based on how transparent their behavior is. Would people have as big an issue with government officials and corporate CEO's if there was not some suspicion that they might be trying to get over in order to manifest goals. Words like "hypocrites" in the comment arena around this topic, seem to keep coming up. Better the cold hard truth upfront than deceit? Well, let's see how things play out in various events over the coming months. In the meantime, let's hope McCain gets those apps updated!...LOL
Take one part tech power-player, one part Capitol Hill, add tax reform discussion, shake; and you've got a major Q&A in Washington, DC that seems to center on Apple and how it does its business but with a larger implication about the corporate tax situation in America today. Seems there may be some sentiment that Apple is dodging paying major taxes, while on the other side it seems that Apple could be encouraged to "re-patriate" some of its mega cash if the U.S. tax laws were different. Hmm.... Well, the media may have covered everything, even Senator John McCain's question to Apple CEO Tim Cook regarding why his apps always need updating, but no one covers public response like us. Time to check out what the people have to say about this latest tech visit to D.C....
So, what is this really about, after all? Posturing? Power? Manipulation? Each of these and more plays a role, but at the foundation the discussion around the digital water cooler on this hearing is really about transparency - a value that is becoming more and more deeply ingrained in our society in this era. People make assumptions about something/someone being "good" or "bad" based on how transparent their behavior is. Would people have as big an issue with government officials and corporate CEO's if there was not some suspicion that they might be trying to get over in order to manifest goals. Words like "hypocrites" in the comment arena around this topic, seem to keep coming up. Better the cold hard truth upfront than deceit? Well, let's see how things play out in various events over the coming months. In the meantime, let's hope McCain gets those apps updated!...LOL
Take one part tech power-player, one part Capitol Hill, add tax reform discussion, shake; and you've got a major Q&A in Washington, DC that seems to center on Apple and how it does its business but with a larger implication about the corporate tax situation in America today. Seems there may be some sentiment that Apple is dodging paying major taxes, while on the other side it seems that Apple could be encouraged to "re-patriate" some of its mega cash if the U.S. tax laws were different. Hmm.... Well, the media may have covered everything, even Senator John McCain's question to Apple CEO Tim Cook regarding why his apps always need updating, but no one covers public response like us. Time to check out what the people have to say about this latest tech visit to D.C....
Well, the fact that Yahoo has said that they promise not to screw up the deal says a lot about what they already know the general public perception to be of this acquisition. Though the tech press seems a bit apprehensive, they are basically applauding the deal itself. Contrast that with the general (particularly, younger) public; and they seem to be scratching their heads as to what the connection is with a dying brand versus a newer, hipper one. So this isn't really so much about tech as an opportunity to discuss a type of class within tech and filters based on social sensibilities. We'll also have to see how all this plays out for Mayer who is spending big bucks and corraling employees back into the office. Yahoo seems to be a yawn as a brand, but let's see how the next chapters unfold in the public's mind....
Lots to say on the Tumblr purchase by Yahoo for reportedly $1.1 billion dollars. (yes, you read right). Yahoo CEO is playing for keeps on this one, and there is much scrutiny about the deal with the beloved social media site. Gotta check the comments for the real public sentiment over the economic experts across every business channel today. Here we go!