Inauguration social media
Posted in Commentary on January 20, 2009
Today the 44th president of the United States was sworn in to office. How can you not feel the excitement of Americans and the world at the reality of President Barack Hussein Obama?
Because of who Obama is and where he comes from, he represents a dramatic change.
As many commentators have put it: a transformational character, not just a transitional one.
As we grow accustomed to information flowing at the speed of light, or at least at the speed of thumb (a Twitter reference, in case you don’t get it), it’s easy to see the influence of social media.
In fact, I wonder if we haven’t witnessed the inauguration of new media along with the new president.
Here’s a social media example on CNN where two-dimensional digital photos were submitted and combined to create a type of three-dimensional rendering of the space. The technology is by Microsoft and its called Photosynth.
Then there’s Twitter where a search for inauguration results in thousands of tweets.
How about a Technorati blog search (also for inauguration) that, as of now, yields almost 44,000 results.
There are blogs like Politico that report in near real-time, not to mention the traditional media Web sites.
Certainly everyone recognizes — as this CNET article points out — that Obama’s inauguration is the most interactive, inclusive inauguration ever. Not only were the people present communicating with their family and friends, but authorities were also using social media like Twitter to communicate with those in attendance.
CNET has a list of technology focused inauguration articles under the title The White House reboots.
Yes, it’s the dawn of a new day in America. Let’s not forget those who brought us to this point, or those who are yet to come. What legacy will we leave? And how will communication technology change that legacy?
Do you have examples of social media used during today’s inauguration? I’d love for you to submit your examples, thoughts and comments.
Here at work I had the CNN/Facebook live video stream open, along with Tweetdeck for reactions and comments from people I know. It was neat to watch the inauguration happen, and at the same time share it with a larger network of people that were all seeing and experiencing the same thing. As you said, I think this was a great example of the power and utility of social media.