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Showing posts from March, 2011

Information democratization

(Published in Business Mirror under the Mirror Image column, March 15, 2011) A few hours after the horrific tsunami in Japan, people all over the world flooded Facebook and Twitter with entries trying to communicate to loved ones affected by the catastrophe. Many postings expressed prayers and concern, along with news about friends and relatives in Japan. The social-networking sites also became an invaluable source of information among relatives of Japan migrants on immediate news and real- time updates about the situation and emergency warnings. Corollary to these, a number of Facebook causes have helped raise huge sums of money for Japan’s tsunami victims. The American National Red Cross, through Facebook Causes, has so far helped raise $75,825, donated by 1,770 people aided by 3,757 promoters. The Northern Japan Earthquake Relief Fund, on the other hand, has so far raised $21,611, through 2,104 members through Facebook Causes. In stark contrast, abject indifference and utmos...