Best of the Internetz 11
Well it’s the pre-SXSW edition of BOTI this week, and let me just say, I am freakin’ excited for next week. If the twitter stream is anything to go by, it’s going to be a highlight edition. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, we still have this week to get through and there were actually still quite a few substantial announcements to document.
Al Jazeera’s new Facebook talk show
Arab news network, Al Jazeera, have announced they will be producing a talk show using content from social networks, including Facebook and Twitter, to drive the topics. This is an initiative aimed at attracting “a younger, more technologically connected audience than most other news talk shows”.
The move comes following the reliance on social media during the recent uprisings in Egypt and Libya, which gives an interesting look at the changing role of social media in society from narcissistic mirror to a news and entertainment source.
WiFi Cabs
Japan strikes again in the innovation stakes, introducing WiFi to their fleet of taxis. While business people might rejoice at being one step closer to being constantly online, you have to ask, should there be times when we need to log off?
Facebook’s anti-bullying strategy
Long accused of inactivity in the fight against online bullying, Facebook have stepped up and developed an anti-bullying strategy. With the aim of creating a “culture of respect” the new tools include a better reporting system for offensive or bullying content as well as a more community focused option, whereby people are guided through the possible options for action including privately messaging offenders, removing them as a friend or blocking them altogether.
It’s important to note that users must be over 13 to join Facebook in the first place. So, what do you think of these steps? Is the subtle but empowering approach enough or should Facebook be more aggressive in their steps to reduce bullying across the site?
SXSW
Everyone get excited because SXSW is happening right now! SXSW is the premier event each year to reveal what new technologies are going to emerge and dominate. Hold onto your seats because the next issue of Best of the Internetz is going to be awesome! If you just can’t wait until next week, check out http://sxsw.com/ or the twitter stream for all the latest as it happens – search #sxsw.
