Autism Billboards Go Viral

But not in a good way
Sometimes putting messages out there to provoke a conversation can have negative consequences. With social media in play the consequences can have far reaching and negative consequences.

Efforts to get South Africa talking about Autism by Autism SA (ASA) backfired. ASA erected a series of billboards with statements meant to be conversation starter to help break down stereotypes. The billboards read, “Autism is for black people”, “Autism is for white people”, “Autism is for possessed people” and “Autism is for violent people”. ASA's Facebook page became inundated with negative comments.

The messages were presented with no context. They promoted stereotypes rather than starting and advancing the conversation. ASA lost control of the conversation from the beginning. Social media worked against them.

The billboards were pulled down. Click on the billboard below to read more.






http://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/family/kids/autism-billboards-removed-after-outcry-1.1524373#.UaorXkCTiSo

Build Your Homebase

Build your base during the Facebook/Google+ wars

I really like this posting by Christopher S Penn. In it he reminded me of what happened to MySpace. It's pretty much a ghost town. Lot's of marketing effort went into MySpace and the efforts paid off until Facebook took over. There are already rumblings that Facebook is past its peak. Has the downward decline begun. Is Facebook (social media) the hoolahoop, or better yet, the CB radio of the early 21st century?

As far as social media is concerned probably not. Blogging was considered passe for a while. Marketers point out that it's importance is still high. Twitter was considered to be leveling off early last year. That turned out to be premature according to the stuff I'm reading. Facebook may be suffering from speculation of failure because it is so successful. It's just not as cool as it used to be among the early adopters.

This stuff all comes and goes.  Penn reminds us to take care of our home base...our content. When the next big thing comes about, we'll still have something to share. We'll still have our network.

Social Media and Dual Personas

I think the era of dual personas is over. You used to be able to separate your work from your private life but, not anymore. If you speak publicly or, are involved in any issue of public concern, the word gets out there. 

Social media is playing a huge part in the rapid decline of dual personas for individuals and institutions.

There are two recent examples of how issues of public interest have played out on social media. As a disclaimer, it does not matter whose side you are on. How these issues played out on social media changed the outcome. 

The first was Komen's decision to pull funding from Planned Parenthood because of Planned Parenthood's position on contraception and abortion. The hue and cry on Facebook and Twitter was intense. The result was a restoration of the funds to Planned Parenthood and several resignations at Komen. Komen could still decide not to renew their grant to Planned Parenthood.

The second is the media storm surrounding Rush Limbaugh and his public comments about the Georgetown law student. Again, social media is playing a huge part in this issue. Rush has lost several advertisers. 

There's a difference between broadcast media and web 2.0. Broadcasters and print are used to putting the content out there as the final word. There has been some input from users of the media through letters to the editor and emails. This has changed. Through social media consumers have become content providers. Individuals joining together on social media wield a lot of influence. Rush crossed the line. He's done it before. The difference now is the instant and intensive response on social media. Rush apologized on the air saying it was a joke. He has not apologized directly to Sandra Fluke for his very personal attack.

I've been using social media to keep informed on this issue. Take a look at this video from Jon Stewart shared through Gawker. I found it at LinkedIn on their news feed. Check out the comments at the bottom.

http://gawker.com/5890752/jon-stewart-smacks-down-rush-limbaugh-over-his-sandra-fluke-comments

Have you seen this evolving in the past year or two? I would be interested in your thoughts.

Good News for FOCUS

The FOCUS Center for Autism received good news this week. According to the Courant Website, The FOCUS Center for Autism is the November recipient of a "One Good Turn Project" donation sponsored by Phoenix-based Commotion Promotions, Ltd.


FOCUS works with children and adolescents on the autism spectrum through educational and extended day programs using milieu therapy. FOCUS has a transition program for young adults seeking positive outcomes for those young adults. They also offer sessions for families affected by autism.


One Good Turn Project President Karen Kravitz says, "The motivation for this program evolved from the current hardship facing nonprofit organizations due to the decrease in financial funding and private donations," 


This is an example of positives that come from the interconnectedness of the web and social media. At least, I hope it's positive. I'm in the board at FOCUS. So I have an interest in this. The article was shared with me through email. I shared the article on Google+ and Facebook. And now, I'm sharing the positive attributes of social media on this blogsite. My expectations? If I get a couple dozen hits I've increased awareness about Autism and FOCUS. I hope I'm using interconnectedness to promote the greater good.