The following is a video created by Eric Qualman. His blog, Socialnomics - Social Media Blog, along with more information about the video can be found at http://socialnomics.net/2009/08/11/statistics-show-social-media-is-bigger-than-you-think/
The rapid, wide-spread dissemination of social media technology as described in the above video is precisely why historians, educators, museums workers and archivists must embrace technological advances and work towards new ways of engaging with the public. If the discipline of history cannot stay abreast of technology it may prove difficult to maintain relevance to mainstream society. At present there are many people actively working on history in the digital realm, evidenced by the numerous history-related blogs being written. An excellent list of some of these blogs can be found at Cliopatria’s extensive History Blog Roll (http://hnn.us/blogs/entries/9665.html). History blogs are an excellent example of how the study of history can use digital technology to reach vast numbers of people. The adoption of this type of technology will no doubt have effects on both the practice and perception of history, and though many are reluctant to embrace the Social Media Revolution we must accept these changing realities or possibly be left behind.
"Science and technology multiply around us. To an increasing extent they dictate the languages in which we speak and think. Either we use those languages, or we remain mute.” J. G. Ballard
Tim --
ReplyDeleteI watched the video you posted and was fascinated by it. When it was finished, I went to www.socialnomics.net (the website suggested at the end of the YouTube video) to see what it was all about.
Low and behold, the first thing I see on the page is an add for Socialnomics, the book. A quick click on the add brings to me Amazon.com where I was able to skim the table of contents. A LOT of the chapter titles were information I saw verbatim in the video, something that leads me to believe that the video is essentially a 4min22sec commercial for Erik Qualman's book. Gotta give the man points for practicing what he preaches, I suppose... :)
Do you suppose they are condiered hyperlinks of they are actively directing you to a predetermined place?
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