Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
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Bloggers and social media eschewed the economic crisis and European summitry last week to focus on a group of diverse topics ranging from journalism to political activism to environmentalism. Meanwhile the week’s most viewed YouTube video featured a trick shot from a basketball superstar.
Introduction In recent years, a wide range of groups—from state and local governments to voting advocacy organizations to campaigns and parties themselves—have placed an emphasis on making it easier for people to register and vote. Prospective voters in 2008 were offered an array of channels for determining whether or not they were registered, finding out […]
With the AIG bonuses fueling outrage, the economic crisis received more attention from the social media last week than any other topic since PEJ began its NMI two months ago. And the week’s most viewed video was a casting call that turned into a stampede.
The economic crisis again dominated blogs and social media last week, as the conversation expanded from AIG to several different elements of the financial meltdown. And the most viewed video was an overseas variation on the same theme.
Bloggers last week focused on reports and predictions involving major changes to some of the country’s prominent institutions. And their verdict was mixed on whether these potentially dramatic developments were heartening or ominous.
Bloggers expressed strong opinions on two topics last week—President Obama and Tropicana orange juice. Evaluations of Obama broke down on ideological grounds while the uproar over Tropicana’s change in packaging was about brand loyalty.
The most prominent narrative in social media online last week shifted from the stimulus bill to a critique of Obama’s first month in office. While the economic crisis was still a large topic, a policy change at Facebook created an uproar that forced the site to then change course.
Bloggers and the traditional media both focused heavily on the $790 billion economic stimulus package last week. But the new media news agenda also included such subjects as cheap eyewear, Catholic indulgences, and the Muppets.