social media

The Hedonometer: A Mood Ring For Twitter

Virginia Prescott — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:12:34 +0000

A new data collection tool is being heralded as the first “mood ring” of the social media world. The “twittersphere” has become the home for millions and millions of micro-stories - fleeting tales of everyday life broadcast to the masses. Now, researchers at the University of Vermont are looking to extract a social pulse from Twitter’s vast output. Millions of tweets have been processed through UVM’s Hedonometer, which measures collective levels of happiness over space and time. Here to discuss the project - and the newly launched website, is Chris Danforth, associate professor at the University of Vermont’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics and one of the developers behind the Hedonometer.

A Year Of Living Internet-Free

Virginia Prescott — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:31:25 +0000

“Internet Addiction Disorder” is a disputed diagnosis in academic and mental health circles, but just try going a day without your daily habit of checking email, the news, weather, sports, recipes, and Facebook, and you may find yourself jonesing for access.

Social Media's Role In The Boston Marathon Bombing

Virginia Prescott — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:18:26 +0000

From anticipated weather events to shocking acts of terrorism, many people now turn first to social media to react and interact during moments of crisis – this past Monday was no different. Shortly after two explosions rocked Copley Square near the Boston Marathon’s finish line, the internet was flooded with graphic photos, video uploads from witnesses, and tools to help loved ones connect with runners and spectators at the race. With the online element of disaster response now an essential part of how we view these events, we wanted to break down what worked and what didn’t. Joining us is Brady Carlson, NHPR’s host of All Things Considered, and our in-house expert on all things internet.

Kim Jong-un Is Working The Press, One Propaganda Video At A Time

Virginia Prescott — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

A month into a continuing series of threatening ultimatums from North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, the 30-year old leader has an international fever that his fore-fathers would envy. Official statements and propaganda videos, such as last week’s reel of Jong-un shooting a handgun during a military drill, are soaking up views around the world.

Through aggressive threats and flashy shows of power, the North Korean leader has proven himself to be the champion of manipulating tense global news-wires. Conversely, he is the also subject of countless humorous memes. Here to discuss Kim Jong-un’s social media strategy is John Hudson, writer for Foreign Policy’s flagship blog Passport.

N.H. Entrepreneurs Launch Social Network For The Prayerful

Amanda Loder — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:30:00 +0000

Billions of Christians around the world are in the midst of Holy Week observances in the run-up to Easter. Many of these rituals have been in place for centuries.

But how does an ancient faith adapt to the age of the internet, social networks, and smartphones?

So far, the answer is “slowly.”

But a pair of New Hampshire entrepreneurs hope they can speed up the process.

It’s fitting that the idea for a prayer-based social network came to Jamie Coughlin and his brother Adam while they were parked on a pew at Mass.

How Twitter Changed Journalism (And There's No Going Back)

Virginia Prescott — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:51:58 +0000

To anyone who doesn’t care to Tweet (that would be a whopping 90% of Americans), the massive influence of so few characters seems unlikely. Yet, information disseminated by NPR’s Andy Carvin during the Arab uprising spread across all forms of media, reaching people in ways no one would have expected.

Word of Mouth 03.02.2013

Rebecca Lavoie — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 01:00:00 +0000

Our favorite content from the program, delivered in one sound-errific package.

This week, why robot interrogators might beat humans at getting to the truth. Mass shooter Amy Bishop's first victim...her brother, back in 1986. Why jury duty matters. The diverse cast of a New Hampshire production of "To Kill A Mockingbird." And the active social media lives of long-dead celebrities.

Word of Mouth 02.02.2013

Rebecca Lavoie — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 14:34:29 +0000

The best of the best of Word of Mouth's content, rolled up into one awesome program. This week, why your company's rules about social media could be impinging on your rights, how the NFL is dealing with their foray into social media, and our Facebook find: the greatest used car ad we've ever read.

Plus, printmaker Amos Kennedy, the oldest snowshoe race in New Hampshire, and the films that won't get Oscars, yet still deserve a second look.

Social Media On And Off The Gridiron

Virginia Prescott — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:10:04 +0000

Increasingly, fans are taking in a second screen NFL experience on social media. The drama of this year’s football season has been echoed, and sometimes fed by the tweets of fans, players, and even players’ wives…leading to more than a few PR scrambles by the league. This is all new territory for the NFL, which only last year began dipping its heavily guarded brand into the fray of social media. Doug Tribou is a producer and reporter for NPR’s Only A Game, and he joins us from WBUR in Boston to talk about football and this season’s biggest social media trends.

Dead Celebrities On Social Media

Virginia Prescott — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 18:05:47 +0000

Elvis is in the building! Or at least on your smartphone. Despite being laid to rest nearly 35 years ago, the King of Rock n’ Roll still posts on Facebook, and tweets several times a day…here’s a sample: “love me tender, love me sweet, never let me go… hashtag Valentine’s Day deals at Shop Elvis!” The BBC’s Matt Danzico recently looked into the social media afterlives of departed celebrities – he lets us in on how they do it.

The Best Used Mini Cooper Ad In History

Bill Barry — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 15:31:52 +0000

Back in November, “The Best Used Car Ad in Craigslist History” was brought to my attention through a Facebook post. I hit the "contact" button and got in touch with its author, New Hampshire’s own Tim McLaughlin. It's kind hard to describe…so I'll bring it to life for you. First, you'll hear Tim tell you what he's trying to sell. (A note to listeners: the Craigslist ad was a tad saucy…so I’ve added plenty of bleeps.)

Is Social Net Speech Protected?

Virginia Prescott — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:29:29 +0000

From demanding access to employee Facebook profiles to soliciting job applicants via Twitter, the disparity in company policies surrounding social media are a marker of both its newness and its influence in our lives.

The Best Podcasts of 2012

Virginia Prescott — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:32:18 +0000

Just a few years ago, the podcast was a way to hear radio on your own schedule, or a mouthpiece for amateur creative types. Not so today, when as many as 40% of Americans listen to audio on digital devices. Given the tens of thousands of podcasts available to get you through long car rides or gym visits, we wanted to find some of the best.

Top 3 High-Tech Marriage Busters

Bill Barry — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:51:32 +0000

We discussed the quickly-developing market for spousal surveillance technology with Wall Street Journal reporter Jennifer Valentino.

Tweeting Responsibly

Virginia Prescott and Taylor Quimby — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:02:39 +0000

Super-storm Sandy once again has journalists talking about social media’s evolving role in breaking news coverage. Using laptops and smartphones, many Americans on the eastern seaboard contributed to national coverage of the storm via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.