Mondays are usually greeted with a shrewd smirk and half-ass shuffle to our dreary day ahead. However, if you’re one of the lucky ones you’ve woken up at 10am with a giant smile realizing you have the day off. Thank you, MLK. Being that today is not a regular Monday I decided to teeter from my general routine of bashing Facebook, and for one day only give “the book” a little break from my scornful, but honest view point. It’s a rarity that I should do this, but believe it or not, some things are more important than Facebook. Brace yourself friends, I’m about to say something nice.
In the wake of the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti, people all over the world are turning to Facebook to seek out their loved ones and to do some all around good. Being that I’m not a Facebook member I can’t give any direct examples of groups that have been created, however, all you have to do is turn on any News station and they will most likely be talking about Haiti and the relief efforts.
My brother, still a Facebook freak, tells me that some groups have upwards of 20,000 members desperately searching for their friends and families; sharing information, videos and news clips concerning Americans missing from the Hotel Montana. Other groups are encouraging members world-wide to make donations and help in any way they can. According to an article on BBC, social networks have played a significant role in the large donations that have been raised to help Haiti. In under 48 hours, $35 million had been raised and in large part due to social networking sites. Be weary though, sickos are always out there looking to scam people out of their money, an unfortunate and major pitfall of the social networks.
My brother, still a Facebook freak, tells me that some groups have upwards of 20,000 members desperately searching for their friends and families; sharing information, videos and news clips concerning Americans missing from the Hotel Montana. Other groups are encouraging members world-wide to make donations and help in any way they can. According to an article on BBC, social networks have played a significant role in the large donations that have been raised to help Haiti. In under 48 hours, $35 million had been raised and in large part due to social networking sites. Be weary though, sickos are always out there looking to scam people out of their money, an unfortunate and major pitfall of the social networks.
Let us not be mistaken, social networking may be a successful tool in this horrific crisis, but there are plenty of other ways to help out. You can make donations at World Vision, Google Crisis Response, or you can text “Haiti” to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross.
My crusade against Facebook continues on after today. I understand that using social networking sites in the right contexts can be very successful, however, the rest of the craziness that occurs on there is not ok by any means. Be prepared for more contemptuous commentary tomorrow. Oh, and have a lovely day off!
