UF Social Media Scholars

"Baby Boomers are speeding up the Web's ongoing metamorphosis from limitless void to global watering hole."

From Wired: case study of how to be a queen of self-promotion.

Probably the most important reading we will do in terms of "foundations" of social networks. Take your time with it and read it closely.

"Social network sites (SNSs) are increasingly attracting the attention of academic and industry researchers intrigued by their affordances and reach. This special theme section of the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication brings together scholarship on these emergent phenomena. In this introductory article, we describe features of SNSs and propose a comprehensive definition. We then present one perspective on the history of such sites, discussing key changes and developments. After briefly summarizing existing scholarship concerning SNSs, we discuss the articles in this special section and conclude with considerations for future research."

This is a long article, but well worth the read - on what might be the most important technological topic facing our society.

"Over the last several years, the problem of attention has migrated right into the center of our cultural attention. [...] Everyone still pays some form of attention all the time, of course-it's basically impossible for humans not to-but the currency in which we pay it, and the goods we get in exchange, have changed dramatically."

"Your LinkedIn profile is your connection to over 35 million professionals in the business world. Use it to show the world who you are. To help the world find you. "

"Sam Bee says Twitter has become such a big deal because it's awesome and our rotting corpses are grabbing for its glimmer."

Charlie Rose discusses Twitter and social media with Evan Williams.