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| Socioholism - Addiction can be good! |
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| Mar 19, 2010 Published in content
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| Keywords: Facebook, Orkut, Social Media, Social Networking Websites, socioholic, Twitter
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 We are well acquainted with connotations like workaholics, alcoholics and powerholics. The recent spurt of Social Networking websites in India has given birth to a new category of people who can be easily called as Socioholics. Social media has become an indispensible way to find and connect with old friends & colleagues, browse through profiles, keep abreast with the latest games and applications, schedule events and send virtual gifts. Going by the dictionary, addiction is defined as a habitual repetition of excessive behaviour that a person is unable or unwilling to stop, despite its harmful consequences. The word addiction triggers an adrenaline rush and brings a feeling of fear as it has always been associated with hurtful fallouts. However, if we focus on the positive gains that addiction can fetch, it can become a beneficial habit.
From being considered as a mere tool to socialise, sharing information, have a fun time to reaching out to the masses and strive to bring a change, Social Networking media has come a long way. According to a recent survey, Orkut has been crowned as the most visited social networking site in India with Facebook closely following behind. Other popular networking sites in India featured in the list in descending order are ibibo, Myspace, LinkedIn, PerfSpot, BigAdda and Fropper. For Indians, social networking websites have become a popular destination for increasing self-awareness, building social relations, advertising & branding and initiating cause-driven movements rather than just an entertainment tool.
Twitter and glitter
Twitter has evolved into something much more than just instant messaging. It is increasingly becoming a valuable viral marketing and communication tool. Celebrities, corporates and established experts have become active members of Twitter. Top celebs like Shah Rukh Khan and Tennis ace Sania Mirza came forward and encouraged the Hockey Players, during the recent hockey tournament in India. "(Indian) hockey team looks good. They will truly rock. Aggression and skill are the key. India has it in abundance this time round. Chak de India," read Shah Rukh’s Twitter page. I personally know a very famous writer who never used to tweet. For her recent book launch, she wanted to invite Shashi Tharoor (Minister of State for External Affairs), he being a prolific writer himself. On the advice of her friends, she signed up on twitter and contacted Tharoor. She eventually got in touch with him and he joyfully agreed to launch her book, today she accredits Twitter for her state-of-the-art book launch. Marketing films online and on blogs before their release is a trend that has caught up too. Out of all the social networking websites, Twitter seems to be the darling of celebs as they are using it as a PR tool for movies, praising each other and also supporting causes.
Not just celebs, following the trend are some of the major corporate giants who are sending out tweets and updating their status to engage people in their ongoing activities and upcoming projects. Dell, for example, has created a number of Twitter profiles, each meant for different types of dealings. Social media has become a less-expensive marketing tool through which people can market and advertise their products and services without actually spending much money.
For a noble cause
Facebook is the frontrunner in making people aware about some of the most important social issues that need our attention today. It runs an application called ‘Causes’ which helps you stay active in your favourite causes by tracking your activity each month and showing you what actions you can take to make a difference. The best thing about 'causes' is that it monitors all the causes that you are a part of on facebook and connects to all your friends. Not only do they see your actions on their Facebook home page, but you can also easily ask them to get involved and act themselves.
Social issues like female foeticides, child labour and saving the environment can be resolved only when people are aware about their appalling effects and know how to solve them. Social media is an immediate medium to reach out to people and convey your thoughts and opinions. If utilized effectively, campaigns like save paper (run by Idea) and reduce carbon footprints can trigger a movement where the entire Indian population can come together and combat some of the most important issues in the world today.
One of India’s largest mobile service providers Aircel has joined the fight to save India’s Royal Bengal tiger population from extinction in the Save Our Tigers initiative. The tiger population has dropped to a current total of 1,411 in comparison to 40,000 tigers a hundred years ago. The campaign calls for immediate action as the specie pushes nearer to extinction. People can join a fun pledging section on saveourtigers.com called ‘Join the Roar’. Participants can pick from a series of tiger pictures, choose a square in a mosaic grid and enter their contact details to fill the piece and complete the photo.
So pull your socks up and let’s together sow the seeds of Sociaholism. After all, change begins from the standpoint of a single individual! |
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