World AIDS Day of 2009

For 21 years, the World AIDS Campaign has worked tirelessly with countries from all parts of the globe to urge government bodies everywhere to stop the increasing number of AIDS outbreaks. As part of their endless campaigning, they have chosen December 1^st as World AIDS Day.

Thanks in part to this organization's help, the rate of HIV infections has been lowered by approximately 17% over the last decade. Besides trying to save people's lives, the World AIDS Campaign is devoted to halting laws that discriminate against people who have contracted HIV and AIDS.

This year's theme is called I Am - Universal Access and Human Rights. According to the World AIDS Campaign, sometimes people do not understand this disease from a human rights perspective, so the organization's top priority in 2009 is to spread the word about human rights awareness.

There are several ways you can help the 33.4 million people around the world who are burdened with this life taking disease. First, you can put on a red ribbon in order to remind people that their support is needed for eradicating AIDS. And of course, there are quite a few money-raising organizations that will accept your financial donations to be used for further research and campaigning. Lastly, there are meetings, services, candle lighting vigils, and numerous other events taking place across the world this December 1^st. Find one in your area and take part in this very important cause.

Happy Thanksgiving – Then and Now

United States was founded on the principles of hard work, faith, and the sheer will to survive: all characteristics of the first settlers, or pilgrims, from Europe to inhabit this country. We all know the story. Yes, times were tough for these people. Many died from a brutal winter that starved them to death, until they met two Abnaki Indians named Samoset and Squanto. Thanks to their help and kindness, the pilgrims learned how to live off the land. So they celebrated, but did you know that is not the complete story?

The next season was they were not so lucky. Their harvest did not bring as much as they had hoped, and they had shared all of their stored food with new settlers. When the 3^rd harvest came around, it was not much better. So the pilgrims decided to do the only thing they could, fast and pray – it worked. From there, our Thanksgiving was born. Even though the concept of Thanksgiving has not changed, modern society no longer fasts and prays to give thanks on this day. Let's take a look at the difference between now and then.

Today, most people consider turkey to be a key part of their Thanksgiving feast. Of course, side dishes and deserts vary from household to household, which includes ham, stuffing, dressing, macaroni and cheese, a potato dish of some kind, pecan pie, apple pie, rolls, and so much more. However, you might be surprised as to what the historical pilgrims chose to serve: duck, goose, deer, fish, wild onion, watercress, multi-colored corn, pumpkin, and squash. You have to remember that these people ate what they could cultivate from the land as well as what was available from the region; many foods that are common in our diet were not even introduced to these people yet.

When the pilgrims had their first feast, it lasted for three days. And no, they did not just eat all three days either, they also had fun too. Some activities included running races, playing the drums, and shooting bows and arrows and muskets. But because modern people have access to awesome technology, we now watch the Macy's Day Parade, football games, and enjoy good times and cheer with family. Many things may change and come and go as the years go by, but most people will always cherish and look forward to the fourth Thursday of every November – our Thanksgiving.

Adam Lambert – The American Music Awards and 'The Early Show'

Those who have missed out on Lambert's controversial performance are probably wondering what all of the hoopla was about. Choosing the song, “For Your Entertainment,” straight from his first single, he put on a quite an unexpected show: the S&M outfitted men on leashes, making out with his straight keyboardist, the crotch grabbing, the simulated sex act. Everything he did on that stage was shocking. Yet in usual Adam Lambert fashion, he put on a captivating, can't take your eyes off of it for a moment, mind boggling performance.

So did Adam make a spectacle of himself again on “The Early Show?” Thankfully, he did not. He sang more toned down songs and of course, he was questioned about his jaw dropping stage performance. Basically, he feels that although he, “Did get carried away,” he has nothing to apologize for, and that if he was not a gay man, but instead a female artist, less viewers would have gotten furious.

It remains to be seen if his “showmanship” on the American Music Awards will either boost his future music career or kill it before it even gets started. Looking at the numerous statements made by viewers, it has the potential to go either way. Whether his performance built him a pedestal or dug him a grave, one thing is certain. He managed to once again turn one simple song into a singing/dancing/acting display the world will never forget. Perhaps that was intention all along.

iBlack Friday 2009 – Here We Go Again

Today is the Friday after Thanksgiving, and the shopping day known as “Black Friday” is upon us again.  Masses of consumers are getting up extremely early, putting their boots and jackets on, and braving the psychotic crowds to get the best deal.  It literally is the biggest shopping day of the entire year.  Let's take a look back at some of the most shocking Black Friday new stories our country has experienced to date.

2008 – Do you remember the news story about the Wal-Mart in Arkansas?  As the Wal-Mart in Bentonville, Arkansas opened its doors to the throngs of eager shoppers, a poor, defenseless Wal-Mart employee became trampled by all of those crazy people who were fighting tooth and nail to get a good deal.  The poor man was said to have died about an hour later after being taken to the hospital.  The same thing happened at a Wal-Mart in Valley Stream, New York; in this instance several people were also injured, included a pregnant woman.

2006 – This time in West Bend, Wisconsin, at yet another Wal-Mart, an employee had the bright idea of putting a new twist on the game of “musical chairs” to determine which shoppers would walk away with a PS3.  He set up 10 chairs at various points around the store and had people race to them.  Whoever reached them first got a PS3.  In this scramble, people were pushed, trampled, and one person's head was shoved into a pole, causing him to bleed. 

2005 – In Orlando, Florida at the Fashion Square Mall, a fight broke out among shoppers.  Apparently, someone cut in line at a Best Buy, and fists started flying.  No one was arrested in this incident.  However, Florida has another Black Friday 2005 story to tell.  In East Orange County, Florida, shoppers at a local Wal-Mart got into a fight.  In this case there was an arrest made; thankfully. 

It goes without saying that Black Friday can be a dangerous day to shop.  Old ladies getting knocked down, people getting into fist fights, and some people have even died.  Is the death and destruction really worth getting a deal on your holiday shopping?  Of course not.  The really smart shoppers are the ones who decide to stay at home today, and save themselves from potential injury and headache.  But for those who have decided to brave the crowds, good luck. 

How To Start a Twitter Trend: #FineTakeYourBanana

At approximately 8:12 pm EST on August 5th @goRoadDogs decided to start a Twitter Trend. Within 2 hours, #FineTakeYourBanana had taken over the Twitter Trends, rising to #2 trend at its peak a little after 10. This is how it works:



1) Initial Network
GoRoadDogs already had several thousand followers when he and 12 followers agreed to Trend #Finetakeyourbanana. This large network allowed the trend to spread extremely quickly, rocketting it into the trends with enough initial momentum to grab a temporary spot in the trends.

2) Establish Ownership of the Trend
#FineTakeYourBanana was able to make it simply because thousands of Twitterers wanted it to. Unlike other trends, it was not a breaking news story, nor an amusing game; #FineTakeYourBanana was an inside joke for Jonas Borthers Fans. As such, the trend quickly took off among those who were on the "inside." In the "pre-trend" period the vast majority of the tweets with the hashtag contained no other purpose than to "try and make it trend" -

julkerlover: I have a feeling that #FineTakeYourBanana is going to be a trending
topic, so I definetely wanna be a part of this :)

on Aug. 5 at 09:27 pm
EST

3) Gaining Momentum
Once it started Trending #finetakeyourbanana really started taking off, reaching thousands of tweets per minute at around 11:00pm EST. Now far beyond the reach of the initial network, hashtags came streaming in from confused regulars, excited Jonas Fans who couldn't believe it was trending, and of course thousands of spammers.


4) Tail off
However, with no inherent value and the goal of getting #finetakeyourbanana high in the trending charts, excitement quickly waned and the tag dropped off the trending chart 4 hours after first trending.


5) Results
The temporary success of the trend had a few lasting benefits including:
And additional 5000 views and 50 comments on the youtube video referenced on whatthetrend.com, and a reaffirmation of the community that drove the whole thing.


Do you think Twitter should allow these "synthetic" trends or should they be treated as spam?

Congradualtions to the original team and good luck to all those who attempt to follow in their foot steps.

Twitter A-Buzz with Reactions to Clinton Visit

As covered previously, the realtime firehose of data flowing through twitter every millisecond can be extremely useful for business to see what "real people" think about their product. In the same vein, Twitter's reaction to the breaking news of Clinton's visit to North Korea is especially interesting.

9:30 am EST @BreakingNews reports Clinton delivers written message from Obama
9:57 am EST AFP reports "White house denies Obama Message"

Half of Twitterer's react with support for Clinton and his mission, while the other's retweet the following amusing tweet:

@tntsandy: Do you think
North Korea would be willing to keep Bill Clinton in exchange for the 2
journalists?

TVXQ Supporters Offer Hope on Twitter

Following on the theme of music fans showing their support through Twitter, TVXQ has taken a spot in the top Twitter Trends. AS reported by Channelnewsasia, 3 of the 5 members have filed for termination of their contract with the parent company SM. Complaints include restrictive contracts and inablitiy to pursue their own visions for the band. SM representatives responded with hopes to resolve the dispute as quickly as possible. Looks to be a giant game of corporate chicken.The Twitterverse responded with support and hope for the well being of the band overall. @Argyle_SocksO_o voiced typical opinions in his tweet:

TVXQ, forever and always! Keep the faith!

Other than that, the trend has been bouyed by the expected hundreds of spam
messages and results of "which TVXQ member are you quizes," (I got Yunho
apparently). Let's pray for spam filtering soon.