But How?

             In this age of technology, vast amounts of information are available view with the tap of a screen. From general questions to the most obscure items, everything can and has been searched on the internet. But what makes this information credible? Before the time when communities and individuals could share their ideas with one another, everything on the web had to be taken as fact as there was no way to verify its truth. Now, individuals are able to post and share whatever they want in whatever fashion they prefer. So now every corner of the internet and social media platform is flooded with misinformation and opinions rather than verified information. Today, there are platforms that can be used to avoid receiving wrong information and instructions, specifically when searching for how to accomplish something. Platforms and websites such as Wikipedia and wikiHow have information available that has been reviewed, fact checked, and published by Administrators for others to view and enjoy. Specifically, wikiHow has developed a large presence online when tasks need to be accomplished by those who may not have any experience in what they are attempting to do.

            wikiHow has countless how-to articles published on their website by individuals all over the world. From the most obscure to the simplest of tasks, almost anything can be found. But what if something isn’t there? As an online user a wikiHow account can be created and a step-by-step article can be crafted to submit for publication and that is the gist of the information sharing on this website. Some topics that cannot be found can be something simple, such as how to remove salt stains from your vehicle’s carpets, or something as obscure as winding a bobbin on a Singer Sewing Machine. It can even be conceptual and not necessarily tangible such as the question “how to stop staying up late”. These topics can be useful in many different ways if coming from a knowledgeable source, here are some reasons why.

1.    How to remove salt stains from carpets

a.    Not many know how to do so on their own

b.    Saves money and time

c.    Prevents permanent damage to vehicle

2.    How to wind a bobbin on old singer sewing machine

a.    Obscure, but important for owners of vintage sewing machines 

b.    Winding a bobbin can be difficult for new users and carries the possibility of damaging the machine 

3.    How to stop staying up late

a.    Some might not have any urge to try to and figure out themselves

b.    Could help with diagnosing actual disorders

c.    Promotes a healthier lifestyle

d.    Offers tips and tricks to stay off electronics and be more productive

           These topics are just a sliver of what could be missing that others are searching for. These topics may not be life-altering guides but they are very important to a community that is becoming increasingly savvy to saving money and living a healthier lifestyle. When considering if the information is credible and if it will actually work, you have to trust the websites admins as well as the user who is supplying the information. Also consider the user has extensive experience in the field and they want others to know these "hacks" or DIY instructions to make lives easier.

The Constant Evolution of Social Media

Social Media. Quite a few ideas come to mind when the term is used. Some might think of Facebook, others may jump right to Instagram or twitter, and then some might throw it back all the way to the MySpace days. But what is really going on behind the scenes of these seemingly endless amounts of platforms? Quite a bit has changed since the early 2000’s when if someone wanted to jump on and see how their online social life was going, they had to “dial up” the internet. The first major surge of social media came with the creation of the profile-based networking site Myspace. It was very simple to use and allowed the user to customize their profile from their “best friends” to including a profile song that played whenever a user visited their page. Apart from this platform, members of that generation had to use instant messengers through email. Now, social media is everywhere. You can sign up for unlimited accounts on unlimited platforms with little to no restriction to accomplish any goal you please. But with this surge of technology has come a decrease in privacy as well as a massive amount of responsibility. Over 16 years ago  On most platforms, once you plug in your personal information required to start an account and you click “I Agree” on the terms and conditions, that information is now property of the platform and in most cases, they can do anything they wish with it. The lack of privacy is astounding as many find their information on third party websites being used for targeted ads and unsolicited phone calls. This invasion of privacy shows just how irresponsible those in power are. The presence of responsibility, or lack thereof, doesn’t end there. The amount of high-ranking political figures and celebrities who hold major influence that are using social media platforms on a daily basis has increased dramatically as of late. There is a news story almost every day it seems that shows the misuse of social media by those who have major influence. The use of social media can also be a great thing. Two weeks ago, a video went viral on multiple platforms of a young man at an Oakland A’s baseball game. He was taking part in a “fan challenge” to see how fast he could throw a baseball. Once the team scouts got wind of his performance, they reached out to offer him a contract to play professional baseball. If it wasn’t for social media, no one would have seen his display and he never would have gotten recognized. Social media has its downsides as well as upsides. It is now being used as a major facet for marketing and advertising, regardless of how “targeted” the advertising is. People of all ages are using social media to connect with one another and share ideas. It is a hub of creativity and innovation that will only continue to evolve and build on itself for generations to come.