The Social Revolution

Social media; is it just a fad or the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution?
In my personal opinion, social media is the furthest thing from a fad. Social networking sites have become embedded in our everyday lives, to the point we check them first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Social media sites have fads and trends within them; different topics trending everyday and popular hashtags used to describe certain fads, such as the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and the more recent #stopdropandselfie.

Where was civilization before the industrial revolution? Where was civilization before Facebook? Although the industrial revolution and Facebook are not directly correlated, they are both significant events that have changed and improved our way of life. From the industrial revolution, we got better technology, weapons, etc. Social media gives us unique and special ways of communicating with people all over the world, whether they be family, friends, or strangers. A simple tweet about a trending topic can connect you to people who are tweeting about similar friends. Facebook is great for sharing photos and life events with people who may not be involved in our everyday lives. Instagram is great for sharing pictures of our daily lives and perspectives.

Also worth mentioning is that social media is not only for fun and games. There have been many social and political issues shared through the many interfaces of social media. The events in Egypt, Syria, Burma, and Palestine were exposed and shared through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, Tumblr, and many more. Not only foreign news, but local news as well such as the #OccupyWallStreet and #BlackLivesMatter movements.

Is social media a fad? Absolutely not. I strongly believe that someday, maybe sooner than later, there will be another significant change in technology that will create another shift.

An Ode To Green Tea

Green tea. A simple drink. Simple, but not meaningless. Green tea holds the secrets of my heart. There have been many a night where I find comfort in a warm cup of green tea. One can equate this green gold to an evening cuddled by the fireplace, or a cold morning bundled up in cozy blankets. This green gold has witnessed my happy endeavors as well as my days and nights of sorrow. Who would have thought that leaves and boiling water could be so poetic? So heart warming? The warm sensation travelling down my throat and into my stomach after the first sip washes away all negativity; at the same time reminding me of all my success and achievements. Late nights spent studying, early mornings spent on the bus. Ah yes, green tea. Without it, I would still be drinking coffee.