The power of social networks - we want our voice heard

Many of you know I'm a big fan of social networking (specifically Twitter, Facebook, Ning, LinkedIn and some favorite vertical communities). While social networking has changed the face of marketing and communications as we know it, it has also changed how some societies are defying governments. Today's NY Times article Social Networks Spread Iranian Defiance Online shows the power of an open communications system.

While marketers are working on social networks, people all over the world are using social media to have their voice heard and gain their freedom.  

Twitter as a Conduit of Fiction

TechCrunch's Jason Kinkaid explored whether or not Twitter could be a conduit of fiction in yesterday's Can Twitter Authors Capture the Magic of Lonely Girl 15.  Hmmm...only 140 spaces to fill up. 

Twitter has become the text version of “Reality TV” online. I know so many people hooked on Twitter and “watching” people comment on the most mundane things or retort in some witty fashion. Will Twitter capture an audience for authors, dramas and other fictional mediums. I say yes. For goodness sakes, there are a bunch of mad men (and women) posing as the MadMen characters on Twitter and they have a huge following.

So, I'm afraid the answer is going to have to be yes. I think authors could write their novellas on Twitter and have a following.

Some questions come to mind.

• Would a chapter consist of 3 tweets or 4?
• Is this the death of literature as we know it?
• Will acronyms like LOL and IMHO begin becoming an acceptable form of grammar in the publishing world?
• Will literacy decline? 

Brilliant Stunt - Guessing Right on Next US Prez & Get $$

Banco Best - an online Portuguese bank - has just announced that it will award new customers 4Xs its usual interest rate if they can bet on which candidate  - McCain or Obama - will be the next U.S. president. 

Creative thinking?  Absolutely! Cheesy? Most definitely.  Brilliant?  We'll have to wait and see how effective it is.  But it received major play on the wires tonight and was picked up by The New York Times.