Even though Japan has been hit by tragedy due to the combined forces of mother nature (earthquake+tsunami) and the man-made instability of nuclear radiation, citizens are turning to a different type of force during these trying times: social media.
Twitter is being used by the citizens of Japan to conserve energy especially during peak times when the country is in most need. The Tokyo Electric Power Company has called on citizens to help conserve electricity and the Japanese are responding with the use of social media.
During a time of crisis, it is encouraging and uplifting to see people come together, remain civil and collectively find temporary solutions during devastation. We've even seen this during the political uprising and uproar of Egypt, but you can also see the flip side of using Twitter for far more negative purposes.
Comedian Gilbert Gottfried is learning what it means to misuse the 160 characters the hard way after a few tasteless tweets about Japan's crisis landed him in hot water with the general public. In fact, the insurance giant Aflac, known for its string of commercials starring a Gottfried-voiced duck, responded by canning Gottfried's contract and issuing the following statement:
"Gilbert's recent comments about the crisis in Japan were lacking in humor and certainly do not represent the thoughts and feelings of anyone at Aflac," said Aflac Senior Vice President Michael Zunda.
Social media: the power to bring people together, the power to aid in times of crisis, and the power to completely destroy your "brand." Definitely use it wisely.
The American Red Cross is offering assistance to the Japanese Red Cross following Friday’s magnitude 8.9 earthquake and resulting tsunami that left towns and villages in Japan devastated. Please consider donating by clicking here.
Twitter is being used by the citizens of Japan to conserve energy especially during peak times when the country is in most need. The Tokyo Electric Power Company has called on citizens to help conserve electricity and the Japanese are responding with the use of social media.
During a time of crisis, it is encouraging and uplifting to see people come together, remain civil and collectively find temporary solutions during devastation. We've even seen this during the political uprising and uproar of Egypt, but you can also see the flip side of using Twitter for far more negative purposes.
Comedian Gilbert Gottfried is learning what it means to misuse the 160 characters the hard way after a few tasteless tweets about Japan's crisis landed him in hot water with the general public. In fact, the insurance giant Aflac, known for its string of commercials starring a Gottfried-voiced duck, responded by canning Gottfried's contract and issuing the following statement:
"Gilbert's recent comments about the crisis in Japan were lacking in humor and certainly do not represent the thoughts and feelings of anyone at Aflac," said Aflac Senior Vice President Michael Zunda.
Social media: the power to bring people together, the power to aid in times of crisis, and the power to completely destroy your "brand." Definitely use it wisely.
The American Red Cross is offering assistance to the Japanese Red Cross following Friday’s magnitude 8.9 earthquake and resulting tsunami that left towns and villages in Japan devastated. Please consider donating by clicking here.
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