You know it when it happens: All of a sudden, everyone on the Internet is talking about the same thing. What does it mean for the future of information?
Last month, over a billion people around the world suddenly knew the name and appearance of the very same woman, and simultaneously began exchanging opinions about her. And while the unveiling of Caitlyn Jenner is not news in the traditional sense, and there was no shortage of major events erupting around the globe at the same time, the Internet largely converged for several hours around discussions of who Caitlyn was, and what she stood for.
This is actually just the latest instance of what I’ve come to describe as a “micro-singularity,” which, broadly defined, happens when the world’s social Internet channels momentarily focus their awareness around a single phenomena, while it’s still happening—Émile Durkheim’s conscience collective digitally transformed into a literal entity. Recent micro-singularities include The Charlie Hebdo massacre, the llama chase, the blue versus gold dress debate, and the Boston bombing with its subsequent manhunt. Japan’s Fukushima Disaster, the Haiti Earthquake, and Michael Jackson’s death are milestones in the development of the micro-singularity.
Though we might consider the American Revolution’s “shot heard round the world” one of history’s first micro-singularities, digital technology has increased our ability to spread news. But even though they can literally impact the lives of billions in the space of several hours, our official institutions have been slow to understand what they are, how they work, or just as key, how we should deal with them.
UNDERSTANDING MICRO-SINGULARITIES
At their essence, micro-singularities typically bear these traits:
They’re Powered Through—and Evolving Within—Social Media
Thanks to its streamlined UI and the pervasiveness of mobile phones (most people around the world primarily engage the Internet via smartphones), micro-singularities tend to first launch on Twitter, then fan out to the other major social networks. As awareness of the triggering event reaches saturation levels, the micro-singularity generates aftershocks in the form of one or more collective responses, often via meme. So for instance, very soon after the Internet became aware of the horrific Charlie Hebdo shooting, it had also evolved a direct response that spread just as quickly: Je Suis Charlie.
They’re Organic, Subjective, and Rarely Initiated by Traditional Organizations
Micro-singularities will occasionally emerge around official, planned events such as the State of the Union or the Oscars; more typically, however, they emerge from the grassroots, powered by what most interests or concerns an aggregate of social media users. For this reason, celebrity related events are just as likely (if not more so) to trigger a micro-singularity, than a “hard news” event. (And even people disinterested in a particular celebrity will find themselves impelled to publicly express an opinion, even if it’s just annoyance.) Cataclysmic weather events, such as tsunamis and earthquakes, are just as likely to cause a micro-singularity, as everyone within the affected region and everyone connected with them can launch a cascade of awareness that rapidly encompasses the world. And as we saw with Justine Sacco’s unfortunate Tweet before flying to Africa, a single individual can trigger a micro-singularity.
They Shape The Reaction of Offline Media and Institutions
Read more:Â Welcome To The Age Of The Micro-Singularity
The Latest on: Mhe future of information
[google_news title=”” keyword=”The future of information” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: The future of information
- Navigating the Future: Unleashing the Potential of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) in the 5G Eraon May 12, 2024 at 9:31 pm
The telecommunications industry is experiencing a growing need for uninterrupted connectivity, spurred by the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the ...
- Don’t overlook the impact of AI on data managementon May 12, 2024 at 7:15 pm
This is the moment to get serious with your data, or you’ll miss the big wave. How AI can actually help you get it right.
- Shaping the Future of Technology with AI Everywhere Take Center Stage at the 13th Big CIO Showon May 12, 2024 at 12:19 pm
ZEX PR WIRE, The 13th edition of the Big CIO Show, an event by Trescon in Bengaluru in collaboration with Intel as the Innovation Partner, brought together industry leaders, innovators, and C-level ...
- The Future of Technology in Health Careon May 10, 2024 at 9:05 pm
AI can enhance quality of care by helping physicians verify their diagnoses and detect diseases earlier. For example, researchers have found that AI technology can help predict a patient’s risk of ...
- Solar Power Now Leads the Charge Towards Sustainable Energy Futureon May 10, 2024 at 2:58 pm
As the demand for renewable energy grows ever higher, Solar Power Now emerges as a frontrunner in driving the transition towards a sustainable ...
- Competing Visions for the Future of the Internet: China’s Strategy to Control the Highways of Connectivityon May 10, 2024 at 12:28 pm
China’s Strategy to Control the World’s Data Super-Highways Part 3: How the U.S. and its Partners can Keep the World’s Data Super-Highways Open, Free, Reliable, and Secure. As outlined in the first ...
- FMS: The Future Of Memory And Storage Launches New Website And Opens Registrationon May 10, 2024 at 7:07 am
"We are thrilled to introduce our new website to the community," said Kat Pate, CEO and VP of Sales, FMS. "The site mirrors the evolution of FMS, and enables users to easily access information about ...
- The Future Fabrics Expo: A Revolutionary Nexus of Sustainability and Fashionon May 10, 2024 at 6:31 am
The fiber, textiles, and fashion sectors, known for their substantial environmental footprints, are at the forefront of this transition. The Future Fabrics Expo serves as a unique, hands-on and ...
- Navigating the World: The Future of Location-Based Services in 2024on May 9, 2024 at 9:37 pm
Explore the future of location-based services in 2024. Discover the latest technologies, future outlook, and transformative power of LBS today!
- LENX: Revolutionizing the Future of Public Safetyon May 6, 2024 at 1:37 am
Thirteen empty chairs were the centerpiece of a vigil held to mark the 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre. Each chair represented a life that was lost when two students carried out ...
via Bing News