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Modern Information Cascades: Accelerated by Social Networking

One of the most astounding features of modern social networking is the speed at which information travels. Not only has internet technology allowed people to communicate across the globe at the speed of light, but more and more social networking sites are encouraging users to stay plugged in all the time. With the increased connectivity of social networking via mobile devices such as tablets and cell phones, being “wired in” around the clock isn’t such an inconceivable idea.Recently, a large portion of the east coast experienced an uncharacteristic earthquake. What was the first things many people decided to do immediately after? Tweet about it. As a result, the information was able to propagate more rapidly than the seismic waves themselves–residents of New York City were able to read about the incoming earthquake 30 seconds before it arrived

On the other side of the fence, misinformation may cascade just as quickly. People in Mexico have been living in fear with an estimated 35,000 drug war related deaths in the past five years. A school teacher and radio presenter in Mexico are now being charged under terrorism laws for spreading panic through the use of twitter. The two tweeted about gunmen attacking schools in Veracuz, Mexico. The information quickly cascaded into widespread panic and as a result the emergency phone lines were overwhelmed and traffic accidents and congestion occurred as parents tried to rush to ensure the well-being of their children. The two being charged claim that they heard about the shooting from other sources, which goes to show the danger of misinformation when applied to a society constantly plugged into social networks.

The power and speed of information travel over social networking facets has only begun to take root. Clearly this propagation may be used as an excellent tool or a dangerous weapon. It remains to be seen which use will have a greater impact.


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/earthquake-twitter-users-learned-tremors-226481

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/04/twitter-terrorists-face-30-years

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