Hot New Social Network, PhoneBook, Could Be Game-Changer

Andy Borowitz, 02.09.2010

BorowitzReport.com

A new social network is about to alter the playing field of the social media world, and it's called PhoneBook.

Google Buzz Raises Privacy and Safety Concerns

Larry Magid, 02.09.2010

Technology journalist

One potential difference between Google's effort and that of its competitors will be its ability to help users distinguish between relevant status updates and all the "noise" one encounters on Twitter and Facebook.

Rugged Collectivism

John Feffer, 02.09.2010

Co-director of Foreign Policy In Focus

It's 1961. William Stockton, a well-respected doctor, is having a birthday dinner with family and friends. They toast his service to the community and...

Youth Will be Served - One Young World Summit in London Seizes on Social Media

Mario Almonte, 02.07.2010

PR Strategist and Pop Culture Analyst

The physical act of voting has become almost irrelevant in an age when a single voice in the wilderness can log on to Facebook and raise an army of 400,000 strong.

Sunday Roundup

Arianna Huffington, 02.07.2010

The difference between Sarah Palin's reaction to Rahm Emanuel's ill-advised use of the word "retarded" (directed at liberals), and Rush Limbaugh's use of the word (directed at advocates for the mentally handicapped) speaks volumes. When it was reported that Emanuel used the word in a private meeting -- one time -- Palin quickly took to Facebook and, mentioning Emanuel by name, called on President Obama to fire him. When Limbaugh repeatedly used the term on his radio show, Palin did nothing. Then, after being goaded by commentators, she had her spokesperson offer a generic criticism of "demeaning name calling," never mentioning Limbaugh by name -- and even had her spokesperson phone Rush to assure him she hadn't used his name. Then, in an interview with Fox that aired this morning, Palin defended Limbaugh's use of "retards" as "satire." Which it wasn't -- unless I'm missing the humor in calling a meeting of advocates for the mentally handicapped "a retard summit."

The Politically Motivated Selective-Victimhood of Sarah Palin

Karl Frisch, 02.06.2010

Senior Fellow at Media Matters for America

Are Sarah Palin's condemnations of Rahm Emanuel the deservedly stern comments of an offended mother or the hypocritical nonsense of a political opportunist?

Some of the Best Activists in America

Mark Shriver, 02.04.2010

Managing Director of U.S. Programs for Save the Children and Campaign Chair, k2kUSA

With a technological revolution that brings almost all the information in the world to their fingertips, youth activism is becoming one of the most powerful forces in our culture.

Puppy Bowl Ref: "Dreams Really Do Come True!" (As long as your dream is to referee a football game played by puppies)

Annie Stamell, 02.03.2010

pop culture writer, Jaw Wired Shut

Now in its sixth year, Puppy Bowl is Animal Planet's insanely adorable alternative to the Super Bowl. Puppy Bowl's charismatic referee, Andrew Schechter, gives the inside scoop.

Cyberspace, Bullying And Suicide -- Again

Madeline Wheeler, 02.03.2010

abuse prevention advocate, playwright

Phoebe Prince did not have to die. Bullying is another form of hate-crime. It is a problem that can be solved through education and legislation.

Social Media Week: Editors Have Whole New Role

Alex Palmer, 02.03.2010

Writer and editor

As publishers embrace social media, editors are finding that their own roles are quickly being redefined. This was the topic of the Networked News Gatherers panel in New York.

John McCain's No Longer a Hero: His Stance on Patriotic Gays is Shameful and Un-American

Michael Russnow, 02.03.2010

Screenwriter, former Member Writers Guild West Board of Directors, former U.S. Senate aide

Watching the Senate Armed Services Committee hearings on repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell, I couldn't help feeling relief John McCain was soundly beate...

In Praise of Silence

Ann Medlock, 02.03.2010

I'm taking a stand for fewer communications, for timeout for reflection and maybe even a little research before we all hit the Post/Send/Publish buttons. The result could well be more signal and less noise.

Obama Online -- The Future of the Youth Vote

Tobin Van Ostern, 02.02.2010

Ultimately, I believe that the policy priorities of the Obama administration will ensure that young supporters remain active in any way they can. We're impatient for change, and we will continue our advocacy no matter how many pundits continue to write us off.

Parents of America: WAKE UP! Our Kids are Sick

Christopher Gavigan, 02.02.2010

Author and CEO, Healthy Child Healthy World

For almost 20 years, the nonprofit Healthy Child Healthy World has witnessed millions of parents learn that their homes, their environments, and their bodies have been contaminated by toxic chemicals.

To Defame or Not To Defame

Gregory Gabriel, 02.02.2010

Attorney specializing in music, entertainment, and intellectual property

With the explosion of blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and the like, it is easier than ever for people to vent their frustrations and anger about each other and companies.

McDonald's and Coca-Cola Among Early Online Marketing Adopters

Ari Herzog, 02.01.2010

Online Media Strategist & City Councilor

Companies will fail online if they do not go where their customers go. Companies will also fail if they don't reward their biggest fans.

Families Use Social Media To Respond To Gardasil Side Effects

Marcia G. Yerman, 02.01.2010

New York based writer focusing on women's issues and the arts; Co-Founder of cultureID

As parents sought to navigate a situation where their healthy daughters had become sick and, in the worse case scenario - died, they turned to the Internet for answers.

Sarah Palin: Clueless or Lying?

Chris Harris, 01.29.2010

Communications and Research Director, Media Matters Action Network

When offering her take on current events, Palin routinely gets her facts wrong. This much is obvious; what is less clear is whether or not her tenuous relationship to the truth is intentional.

"It's Not A Pink Slip, It's A Blank Page": Lemonade Shows Life After Layoffs

Lee Stranahan, 01.29.2010

Filmmaker, Writer, Photographer

Erik Proulx says that he lost his job and found his life's work. Proulx is one of the many creative people who lost their job in the advertising busin...

iPad or iAid?

Dennis Whittle, 01.28.2010

CEO of GlobalGiving

The likelihood that girls in developing countries will stay in school once they hit puberty is directly affected by their access to sanitary pads.

8 Easy Ways to Get Digital Natives Wild about Reading

Sharon Duke Estroff, 01.28.2010

Author, Can I Have a Cell Phone for Hanukkah?

It's no wonder kids don't read books anymore. A Kaiser study reveals children ages 8 to 18 log an average of 7.5 hours of screen time daily.