Japan to Libya

The world is an interesting place. 2012 is most likely on the back of everyone's mind especially with all of the drama around the world. Every action has a reaction, and we will be feeling the reaction of all of this for a long time (if the world doesn't end soon). Authoritarian regimes will continue to have uprisings, their will be natural disasters, and eventually Charlie Sheen will die of his addiction. And when all of this happens, the world will continue to deal. That's what it is all about, dealing with hardships and overcoming them. That is life. So let's all just continue living. Although, I may be a little upset if I worked this hard in school, and the next year the world ends. That would just be depressing. 

I do watch the news daily. The moment i wake up CNN or Fox news is on in the morning. I also follow CNN and Fox News to get all the quickest updates on what is happening in the world. There is always so much going on that its hard to keep up with everything all the time so haveing social media really helps. Being able to access twitter via phone is a great way to help with updates. If your unable to watch the news you can check the twitter accounts and know automatically what was just updated about the latest news. It has become my main source to know what is going on I also retweet things that I feel should truly be out there for everyone to know about. With the recent access to with social media on peoples cell phones it is much more easier for people wiht these types of applications on their phones to use them and keep updated more often. I think it is the best thing that has happened with social media. It is a great srouce of it. Better than charlie sheen venting about his pathetic being and showcasing his problems to the world. I would rather have the news sent to my phone!

I just read this article, http://www.businessreviewusa.com/industry-focus/social-media/google-and-twitter-help-spread-information-japan-earthquake, that talks about how Google and Twitter are making the effort to keep up with the Japan relief.  I think it's inspiring that it's not just the people who use these companies, but also the companies themselves who understand how powerful social media can be for this type of information.  Google is even physically putting in individual's information so other people can find them and stay updated.  I'd say admirable for such a huge corporation to still be thinking about people individually.  And such a platform as Twitter makes it possible for people around the world to stay updated in real time.  It's amazing how far technology has come.

It was shocking when I first know the tsunami in Japan. And Yes, I first got the news via Twitter, but not with the news subscription but from Ryuichi Sakamoto, a Japanese pianist, and Marc Jacobs. It is indeed a very fast and easy way to receive instant news, and by subscribe to different people you can kind of like customized everything you want to know. I am not paying much attention about the war in Lybia. I care about Japan more, obviously. Since the damage in the nuclear plants will result in severe pollution around the world, we should keep up with the news, but carefully choose what you read.  Instead of reading some sensational-titled news, we should see more statistics and professional report. 

I don't keep up with the news on T.V. daily because to be honest, most often, it is quite depressing. With major events happening, especially most recently, I find it incredibly hard to fathom that Charlie Sheen is even a topic of interest to be so much as even mentioned in a low budget magazine that maybe only one person would ever buy (that one person being Charlie Sheen himself). As far as Libya is concerned, in my eyes, war is never a good thing but helping people is and sadly violence is the price that is to be paid while they are involved in a civil war. Twitter, Facebook and Youtube have proven to be powerful tools to pass on news especially with the unexpected earth quack that hit Japan. I have seen many skeptics on Twitter since the earth quack hit talk about an apocalypse in 2012 claiming that the earth is undergoing major changes and that the Mayan Calendar has predicted it to happen in December 2012.

Personally, I am worried about the direction the news is heading in.  New technology creates many different ways for people to obtain the latest news. This may end up hurting us in the end. Less and less newspapers are being sold because people look at the news on the internet. On the internet, you may choose what type of news you want to hear about. This might cause future generations to be single-minded, rather than well educated and well rounded individuals with opinions on a range of important news material.

Social Media plays a large role in how I keep up to date with the world. I follow The State News which has a lot of twitter updates so I can see what's going on the in the news. Being a student it's hard to keep to date with everything that's going on, school, work, and other extra activities. I think there have been a lot of unfortunate activities going on but I don't think it's the end of the world as some people believe. I don't like to avoid the news but sometimes I feel like things are over exaggerated which freaks people out. I like using twitter for news updates because it gives the facts quickly so I can read what I need to and move on to the next thing I need to do.

Social Media gives new meaning to freedom of press. I've noticed since Egypt's protests, and especially since the tsunami in Japan, the amount of fear mongering in the news has increased significantly. Specifically about the nuclear 'disaster' in Japan. I don't believe that these events should be downplayed, but it is getting a bit old, and I must admit I am becoming desensitized to key words like 'nuclear meltdown'. If you sit down and watch the news, really watch it, for a couple hours, you can tell that really they don't know a lot, they replay the same images over and over, and repeat the same things 20 different ways. It's almost easier to digest news taken in from social media, instead of the TV, like the TV has become too harsh. At least twitter and the blogosphere provides some different views than that of CNN and Fox. Speaking of CNN and Fox, it's like they are attempting to distract from the actual news with their crazy smart boards and graphics! Not necessary, and really it is becoming a distraction that I don't need. I think I'll take the newspaper today, although it might not be the fastest way to the news, it is certainly the most enjoyable for me at this point in time.

I dont intentially watch the news or read up on what's going on in the world. A lot of it is depressing so I try to avoid reading up on it. I get all of my news from word of mouth and social media. I think it's crazy that the US is getting involved in another war. I really dont understand the benefits of fighting for another country. I also am not very happy with Michigan's new governor right now. I feel like he has a strong dislike for kids. He is taking away money from schools, taking away the bridge card for students, making a new driving law for teens. I think he is being completely rediculous. I also think it's scary what is going on in Japan with the tsunami's and earthquakes. I feel really bad for the people that are losing everything they have worked for, and I feel sorry for the people who are losing their friends and families.

I honestly think its crazy the different stuff going on, but I also think I would not know of the all the news without social media. I feel as a student at MSU I get parts of each of the news but if I do not read about it, I just hear bits and pieces. Socia media plays a big role into how I get my news especially if I see something small about something I look into it. I think our world is interesting right now, I think interesting is a word for it. Our world's state right now is kind of shaky and I feel like I really don't know what to think. I do get most of my information from twitter but it makes it easier to see parts of information and to look into stuff that really does interest me.

I think you can't get too involved with everything the media says because things change and sometimes everything is very unclear, example the weather. I just feel like it is important to know but not to get too involved with, besides to be honest I really do not have the time betweens jobs, school, and everything.

I havent really been on twitter but i have been watching the news lately trying to stay up dated which is really a new thing for me because I try to not really get involved. As far as Libya i feel as if the US should worry about fixing our major problems instead of taking fathers, son, and brothers away to fight a war that isnt ours. Japan was a great shock because I had friends that had been there just the month before and seeing that it seems like were getting a tragedy every year an it seems like it tearing us down to the point that most are giving up hope. I believe that we can over come any obstacle as long as we stick together and work as a team.

It's not often that I make it a point to watch the news, unless of course I've heard about something going on that would either interest me or be something important to pay attention to. I have used social media to catch up on things and learn them, but I do still learn a lot just by word of mouth. I watched news reports about both Charlie Sheen and the tsunamis in Japan on Youtube. A number of friends have posted about both and other current events on Facebook. And I learn some things through Twitter, but not as much. This does make me realize that I should probably be following more news related things on Twitter besides sports because it's so current and real-time. I think as a student it's a smart way to keep up when you're too busy to sit in front of a computer.

The Tomahawk cruise missile costs around $1million. We have launched 100+ on Libya so far. Charlie Sheen’s show sold out the Fox Theater in less than an hour and he has over 3 million followers on twitter. We are sending money to help Japan when kids are starving in our own country.

You can talk about politics and the news for days but people’s opinions are hard to change. I’m also the type of person who avoids the news. I’m a person who runs on positivity and the news is usually so negative. I am usually focused on the tasks of the day and feel that doing the little things everyday makes a difference.  

Its funny that you mention that you try to avoid the news. I don’t care to hear neither but thanks to social media, it’s put in my face front and center all day. When news drops, social media is the first thing people run to. I must say, thanks to facebook, I am up on current events. With everything that’s happening though, I am glad that I am getting the news as soon as it happens. As to whether or not social media is a positive or negative thing, I would have to say it is positive. It keeps people aware of the events that is going on, especially while on the go and it helped the people of Egypt.

While the news can be depressing at times, I don't try to avoid it. I think it is important to stay current with what is going on in the world in order not only to be able to comment on or at least understand current events discussions, but also to better appreciate what you have and know that it could be worse. While on spring break I was on a cruise and was literally cut off from all forms of communication other than CNN, which is how I learned about the tsunami in Japan. 

I have learned of a number of breaking news events through Twitter, including the death of Michael Jackson. However, I always make sure to to fact checking and wait until a trusted news source confirms breaking news before I believe anything. Rumors can spread too quickly on Twitter which makes it difficult to believe anything as legitimate unless it comes from a major news organization.

I am the exact same way, I like to avoid the news as much as possible because it is just too depressing for me. But in all actuality we can't avoid the news forever because the things that are starting to happen now are going to affect us personally. I am not familiar with this new war that the U.S is getting involved with but it is just unfortunate, I don't understand why we all can't just live our lives and enjoy each and every moment that we have on this earth. What is the whole point of fighting and killing others, it doesn't solve anything. The tsunami that hit Japan saddens me because many people think that because its Japan, they have money so we won't donate to them. I think instead of fighting each other we should help those in need because we are the human race before any other race. The Charlie Sheen Fiasco is just upsurd , yeah certain things he says is hilarious but the many really needs medical help. And the more people keep retweeting his antics and making youtube video the more he is going to think that what he is doing is alright. He should be embarrassed for his children sake, especially when they grow up and see the things that people say about their father.

I just can't believe all the events that are constantly happening. First Egypt and now the rest of the world seems to be following a similar downward spiral. It's crazy how something like that spurs a chain reaction which is making the world seem completely bizarre at the current moment. I'll admit I don't keep up with the news as much as I should but lately I can't help but look up what is going on every day. I first heard about the tsunami while at the airport waiting for my flight back home to Michigan. I decided to check facebook and that's when I noticed everyones statuses and videos uploaded. I didn't even have time to hear it from anyone else. Social media has a huge role in letting people know what is actually going on in the world. We are getting live newsfeed from all of these places. As an MSU student I'm interested in learning more and curious to find out how this will have an affect nation wide on media. No longer are we waiting for the evening news or papers to be printed in the morning. Journalism is happening to quickly that it seems like its not really covering reliable and accurate facts. That seems kind of scary. I just hope everything calms down soon and the world is stable again soon! 

I am really shocked by everything that is happening in the world!  My dad is a pilot and was in Tokyo when the earthquake hit so right away it would have been nice if my dad was involved with social media more.  He does not have a smart phone or an Iphone so we just had to wait till he was able to make a call to hear if he was ok which was hours later.  Luckily Tokyo wasn't hit as hard so he was fine but it is really crazy to see the world this way.  I really can't believe that we are getting so involved in the Libya war and as far as Charlie Sheen goes, I say no comment :).  Its times like these when you want the news at your finger tips that its really awesome that we live in a generation that has the ability to have that!

For me, it's hard to say whether social media is truly a positive or negative tool in these politcial movements. It obviously helped Egypt but it has shown to go both ways. The growing obsession with celebritites social media can be attributed to the increase in participation of social media by celebrities. I rarely get my news from twitter but it's interesting to see its role play out in all of these current events unimportant and important alike!

I am someone who doesn't like watching the news or reading the newspaper about world events because it seems like everything is so depressing. I am a lot better about keeping up with everything than I used to be but I do get the majority of my information from Twitter and Facebook. It seems like because of social media, it gets everyone all riled up when something big happens in the world. It can be used in a good way but also in a bad way. It can bring awareness to people and help people support one another. It can also be bad because once someone writes a tweet or puts up a status, it gets everyone else in a panic.

First of all, you would be right in assuming that I am getting most of my news via Twitter. I have gathered together a pretty solid list of accounts I am following that keep me up to date a majority of the time. As far as less serious things like Charlie Sheen goes, I love to keep up to date on that because it's the kind of thing that always ends up coming up in conversation, whether it is an intelligent one or not. Pop culture is something that you just can't avoid, especially as a college student.

With major issues like Japan and Libya, I like to be knowledgeable about what is going on, but I try not to formulate opinions based on what other people are saying on Twitter. I think it can be a great tool to collaborate on ideas, but it seems like a lot of that collaboration turns to negativity really easily. I am impressed with the amount of support Japan seems to be getting, and that it is pouring out from everywhere in the world. Hopefully these new ways of communication can improve the recovery process for them.

I am one that is not too involved with news on a daily basis even if new things are stirring up.  However, I feel that with lots of serious issues popping up it is making people utilize social media networks in a whole new fashion.  It is causing people to not only get thier news this way but to voice their own opinion more freely and get their own feelings out their in a quick and efficient way.  I have been seeing friends voice they way they feel about what has been going on which has actually filled me in and kept me updated which certainly is helpful because I just dont have the drive to check the news or cnn on a daily basis.  I feel like the social media networks are just loving all this crazy business

Charlie Sheen is a joke.

That being said, I am concerned for the well being of others around the world including the tsunami/earthquake victims in Japan and the protestors in Libya and the Middle East. However, I can't help but feel that any help I can provide--monetary or otherwise--is miniscule in the grand scheme. Therefore, I hope that by focusing on my education and my goals that I will one day have the resources to make an impact on situations that are facing the world today.

I might be the one who heard the news about tsunami first in the United States. One of my friends is living in Japan and she were in subway more than 1hr while the earthquake was occurred. The only thing she could do in subway was Twitter. Every her friends asked about her condition and situation every single time through the Twitter from country to country, and she was updating her status while she were in subway. Fortunately, nothing was happened to her, but she told me that if she took the subway 15 minutes earlier, she might be die. 

One thing I recognized is that nowadays, every people can make and share the news through the social networking systems. The area for news is not limited in a country as well. Everybody in the world share the news, and an event affect to all people, too. 

I am also another the kind of person who tend to aviod the news everyday, but when i heard this news over the social media, i felt like becoming the end of the world soon. anyway, I think the most of social media such facebook, twitter etc give us informationtion quickly.

First of all, I think Charlie Sheen is being ridiculous, but he is doing his job of being an entertainer. I feel like weather has been changing and getting more severe in the last five or ten years, and the tsunami is no exception. It makes me wonder if there is a reason for all the changes. Is it just becasue of nature, human casued, or just a bad several years. Becasue the controversy and Libya affects a lot of the world and especially Europe, I feel like may be approaching World War III. A thris world war would be very different to previous world wars because countries have very sophisticated and powerful weapons now.

I think social media plays a large part in informing the public of news. I always use twitter to learn about what is going on in the world. I follow newspapers and other outlets like the Wall Street Journal, TechCrunch, and NPR. Using Twitter to follow the news lets me know the news instantly before it comes out in the newspaper or on TV.

I find my my news mostly through twitter, google news, and television news networks. I have to say sources like twitter make it more bearable to hear about all the tragedies happening in the world because you can choose what information to read and what images to look at. TV networks such a Fox News & CNN constantly report the same events and images over and over until you get sick of it. I like hearing about NEW information, not having the same facts reported to me for hours. Although seeing the video of the Tsunami's destruction in Japan really makes you realize how huge of a deal it is. This is something twitter coverage will never give you. 

As an MSU student, I feel isolated from real world events. I read the news online to keep updated, yet I never fully understand the extent to which these events affect every nation in the world. My heart goes out to the Japanese population, as they mourn the loss of loved ones, and attempt to revitalize the communities that have been severely damaged. I have many blessings, and I know it is a social responsibility to support my constituents with the proper resources. However, aiding nations in need is very hard to do as a college student, because money is tight and school is time consuming. Some close friends of mine are running in a 5K race this weekend to raise money for Haitian children. I think this is an awesome way to contribute to a meaningful cause. Twitter has been the prime communication channel for people to send well wishes to Japan. Other social media outlets enable people to organize charities and fundraisers, raising awareness for relief efforts. Social media unites the global population in times of despair, encouraging everyone to work together through these trying times. As an MSU student graduating in May, I hope the future economy regains prosperity, giving people the chance to help those less fortunate. Although I love the movie Major League, and I enjoy the television show Two and a Half Men, Charlie Sheen is a lost cause. I hope he gets the help he needs soon! He is feeding people material on Facebook with his erratic comments.

Being a Senior at MSU makes me keep up with the world a little bit more than I used to since I will be going off on my own when I graduate. I am not one for reading a newspaper or watching the news, but I receive my news on my Twitter feed. Like other students I know, I learned about the disaster in Japan, Charlie Sheen's antics, and all of the protests on Twitter. Social media plays a vital role on how news stories are delivered to people and the perceptions they have on situations. Facebook has helped many groups of people get their voices heard by creating event protests. Just last week I got to witness the protests at the state capital which has been one of the biggest ones as of late. Going out into the world on my own in a couple months is a little scary and exciting at the same time, you just never know what is going to happen next, but as for me I am hoping nothing but the best!

I have to admit, most of where I get my news is via Twitter. I follow major news channels for my information, but even if I didn't, I'd be able to find out the same information through my friends. I could find out what is going on the world without turning on the TV, just by my friends tweeting or talking about it. Occasionally in the morning,  I will turn on shows like the Today Show when getting ready for class or work, but the exaggeration the news puts on stories makes me want to turn off the TV almost immediately. I'd rather stick to tweets that send me to different links where I can gather different information about the issue from different sources. Ideally, the news will start reporting accurate, straight-forward facts, instead of trying to put an exaggerated spin on it to make it a "major story".

I am not a person too who read news every day and think about the world. I think it's crazy what is happening in our world right now. however, I  kept up with news via Twitter and Facebook. I think it is a great way to stay connected with what is going on today. I can find out minute to minute updates on the latest current events and here much more than just on the news. People are talking about what we really want to hear, sharing opinions, etc. and it is a lot more interesting to read up on. I feel social media is definitely the future of news.

As an MSU student the state of our world does raise concern. It seems to me that everyday there is a new disaster or something else on the news that is being brought to our attention. I am one that also trys to avoid the news. It always seems to be depressing and negative. However, with the recent disasters I have become more attentive to what is going on around us. I think social media has become a way for many people to find out about current events. For instance, I found out about the earthquake in Japan through Twitter and then went to the news for further information. I think social media has become a primary way for young people to discover what is going on in the world around us.

I'm another person that tends to avoid the news because it's always so depressing, especially when I go back home for a weekend to Detroit.  And, I know it sounds ridiculous, but it really does feel like the end of the world.  If Britney Spears would have went on a nationwide tour during her global breakdown people would have thought she was ridiculously crazier than she already was.  The tsunami hitting Japan again in less than a decade is a for sign to me that something intense is about to happen.  Social media plays a major role in all of these events because when something big happens in the world, everyone will update their status or send a tweet about it, celebrities especially.  I just got a bad feeling about this.

I follow Perez Hilton as well as New York Times, so I get my daily does of crazy and world issues at the same time. It is amazing how quickly the news travels via facebook, twitter and word of mouth. I find myself not having enough time to look at an entire article online or in the paper...nor have enough time to watch the news because as a student you are focusing on way too many other things. But these quick bits of information are lifesavers to me and many others - when you don’t have time but you need to know the main stories of the day.

There is no doubt the news channels love a crisis. They keep talking and talking until another crisis happens and they start again. I can get addicted to the news though. It’s what I watch the most on TV and the most I read online. I like to know what’s gong on in the world, not just bad things, but good things too. I like to read all kind of news, world’s news, science, art, finance, tech news, etc. It is very interesting and pleasing to know that social media sites helped change the world. Knowing that Facebook and Twitter were integral parts in helping people change their world in Egypt, Libya and others, is just phenomenal. I believe the nuclear crisis after the tsunami and earthquake in Japan is a wake up call to the human race. But, I also believe that humans are capable of putting things behind them and forgetting what happened. Scientists have been predicting and warning of natural disasters for a long time. I wish fast recovery to the Japanese people. Regarding Charlie Sheen, I honestly don’t think he deserves any attention at all, so let’s just stop mentioning his name.

Peace!!

I also don't get my news from Twitter. Generally speaking, I only catch the news while I'm getting ready in the morning. Even then, it's only shows like channel ten news, Good Morning America, The Today Show, etc. On top of all of the horrific events, what shocks me is how news stations transition from event to event. They will be talking about a nuclear meltdown in Japan and radiation, then casually switch to a Charlie Sheen meltdown rant.

I also don't get my news from Twitter. Generally speaking, I only catch the news while I'm getting ready in the morning. Even then, it's only shows like channel ten news, Good Morning America, The Today Show, etc. On top of all of the horrific events, what shocks me is how news stations transition from event to event. They will be talking about a nuclear meltdown in Japan and radiation, then casually switch to a Charlie Sheen meltdown rant.

Social Media is defiantly keeping things going. With Charlie Sheen the Media is entertaining his behavior by letting him do interviews on the radio and on networks. Not only are they interviewing him but other people who say they were involved with him. I have been watching the news and seeing the devastation in Japan and it bothers me to see what’s happening it’s hard to turn on the news. Every time I turn on the news I hear abouth destruction, death, and crime. It sometimes make me think that thwe world is slowly ending.

I'm currently in the process of watching Two and A Half Men and I've figured out one of our society's majour problems. We glorify alcoholism...we make it look cool. We think Charlie Sheen is amazing despite the fact that he is an arrogant and terrible example for men in our country. I feel that society needs to take a stand against the absurdness that is Charlie Sheen. Networks are more worried about viewers and dollar signs and not about the impacts these personalities have on society.

I think that alot of MSU students and just students in general get alot of news from social media. I can say from experience most people my age dont watch the news. I try to avoid it. Yet they will disscuss everything on twitter and Facebook. I must say I think Ive found out about alot of recent events through social media. I completely agree with you though. We just have to enjoy today and hope for a better tomorrow.

Social media does play a significant role to “manipulate” human being’s thinking of and attitude toward this world. Take the catastrophe in Japan just about 10 days ago as example, even without watching any news from traditional media channels; I can get the updated news of Japan’s tsunami and earthquake from facebook. What’s more, we can do something practically such as donation or just pray for those survives after the earthquake.

i rarely have time to watch the news so i do stay in the loop through twitter and other resources on the internet. i found out about the Earthquake, tsunami and war in Libya through twitter. Whether it was through CNN on Twitter or other's responses to the tragic events i usually find out what is going on through the buzz on twitter and then research more about it online. Something great about Twitter is it covers almost everything going on in the world whether it is a NCAA basketball game, Charlie Sheen, or a horrible tragedy it seems to touch upon everything.

I have a hard enough time finding time to eat and sleep let alone watch the news or read the newspaper. With that said, I found about the situation in Egypt, the tsunami in Japan, Charlie Sheen's recent (because, let's face it, the man's been insane for years--since before I can remember) insanity, and just about every other major event via Twitter through trending topics or tweets from those I'm following. To be completely honest, it's really overwhelming--kind of makes you feel really small, especially as you're getting ready to enter the "real world" for, really, the first time in your life. The fact that I'm hearing about this stuff via Twitter kind of makes me feel like I should be more in tune with what's going on in the world. On the other hand, it is utterly amazing to me the role that social media has played in all of these affairs. Social media will change the world we live in, but we haven't even scratched the surface in terms of just how powerful it will be or if that change is for better or for worse. Personally, I like to think that there is more good that will come of social media than bad.

With that said...Charlie Sheen. The fact that he earned millions of Twitter followers in such a short time is amazing but the hole thing kind of depresses me. Yes, I've had a few chuckles and eye rolls at his recent antics but I refuse to follow him. He's is spiraling out of control and we are all just sitting here watching. I honestly feel that his Twitter success and all of the media attention is just fuel to his fire....no....it's more like gasoline.

I feel like I'm the only one who doesn't get my news on twitter. I feel like I literally either find out about most things by either watching the news, or seen on facebook status'. Additionally, I'm one of those people who frequently reads blogs like TMZ and Perez Hilton, thus I discover a lot of information there as well. I think the state of our world is pretty sad. With the devestation that hit Japan, to the war, to teen bullying that is resulting in a massive amount of suicides, we live in a pretty sad world. Rarely do we hear good things on the news- instead we hear about loss and tragedy, and people who are doing bad/crazy things as opposed to good things. I feel as if I'm in a bubble being a student at Michigan State- here in East Lansing we live in our own kind of world. Most people here are young, having fun, and not stressing over too much other then their studies. That isn't real life at all. I feel as if social media just adds fuel to the fire in regards to hearing more about bad news and tragedies. Once something is online it never goes away. One new comment can lead to 20 new comments, as well as focus returning to the subject in general. 

During my course called "Advertising and Society", a student from Japan introduced the accident for a while but what he focused on was the advertising strategy.
It's said that in the first three days, there were few commercials on TV. Why? Most people might think those companies were feeling the same as common customers so that they didn't want to air the funny commercials to annoy people. However, the main reason is that those companies didn't hope their customers connected the depressed emotion with their products and then destroy the buying mood which had been developed for years.
Although I feel so sad to hear the tsunami happened in Japan, I did learn something from it.

My main source from getting news information is through Twitter and I feel like since being at MSU, the world out there is a scary place compared to the little bubble in East Lansing. I think its crazy that we are getting ourselves into another war on top of the disaster that just hit Japan. Clearly the earth is reacting to everything we have done to it (nuclear war, pollution, oil spills) etc. and it is just going to get worse if we keep repeating the same things over and over again. Social Media in my opinion has played a huge component through all of this - when I heard about Charlie Sheen I heard it through Twitter as well as everything with Japan. It is great when you hear how social media has helped contact victims of the tsunami/quake connect with family as well as life-saving apps that can help when a disaster like this strikes. It is a scary world out there, especially during those times so just like you I'll be praying for a better tomorrow!

I definitely agree with Lauren's previous comment. Going to MSU is like being in a little bubble where my world revolves around finishing my homework and making it to happy hour. Luckily my advertising and journalism classes do a good job of keeping me informed in big events happening. However I could never tell you details about them. I almost blame social media for that. Before I would check the newspaper websites and watch local news, but now my mindset is "if it's important I'll hear about it on Twitter or via Facebook." However those sites only give the bare minimum, and I do not have the motivation or the want to dig any deeper and watch the news when instead I can be reading about what all my friends are doing, what their moods are, and get the occasional newsworthy or gossipworthy comment. 

Quite honestly I have never been more greatful for social media and how many different opinions and view points are available to us instead of how it use to be when the only information people receive and can use to base their views on are controlled by the government. I believe that everything occurs in cycles so as far as the state of the earth is in I try to keep the perspective that this is not something new and that natural disasters have been occuring since the world was created. I hate what is happening all over the world it breaks my heart to see the tradegy in Japan and the last thing I want to read about it us bombing Libya however at least when huge historic events such as these are happening we have real well rounded information available to us. People are overseas risking their lives not just fighting for our rights but trying to uncover the truth and give people back home a real look at what is happening. With social media you can be going to school full time and have loads of information readily available to you that can help keep your understanding of what is going on clear. Keeping up to date and informed is so incredibly important and having an informed opinion is to me crucial. I am greatful for everyone and everthing in my life and I plan on living each day not with the element of fear in my mind of what is going on but with hope that things will only get better.