Facebook. Twitter. YouTube.
The three mainstream social media services elicit knee-jerk reactions: the lowest common denominator. Facebook is a site of value only for the purpose of maintaining social relationships. Twitter is an outlet used by celebrities to post outrageous comments. YouTube is the repository of videos that news outlets consult to fill air time, with very humorous, or outrageous moments.
Such are not the only purposes for social media. Maintaining relationships. Expressing views that might be considered outside of what is acceptable in daily discourse. Humorous, and outrageous moments. These are worthy parts of our lives.
Yet, with a little creativity, and open-mindedness, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube may be new venues that we may avail ourselves of in meeting our information needs. Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are not so much the creations of a digital generation. No, they are the fulfillment of the original vision of the creator of the World Wide Web--Tim Berners Lee.
May we understand the vision of the World Wide Web--the free exchange of ideas throughout the world. May we fulfill its promise, and not squander its treasury. It is our choice.
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