Facebook Catalyzing Social Media - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1813 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2019/04/10 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Social Media Essay Did you like this example? A world without the internet is a world that seems impossible to imagine, just as a world without information is impossible to comprehend. Facebook is to communication as Tesla is to energy, paving the way to the future with game-changing technology, dictating the way humans live life. Sharing a lifetime worth of experiences takes less than a couple of seconds. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Facebook Catalyzing Social Media" essay for you Create order Emotions, feelings, and opinions are instantly expressed through the click of a button. Childhood memories flash by as you connect with old friends again. One simple application, Facebook, reunites friends and families and gives an easy platform to always stay connected. By the time he was a sophomore in Harvard, Mark Zuckerberg launched what would soon stay a part of billions of lives. Mark Zuckerberg, the billionaire at age 23, did not always start as the man working to connect mankind with Facebook. During his years at Harvard, Zuckerberg launched an app called Facemash, which gave pictures of two Harvard students and allowed people to choose which was better looking and which was worse. Facemash spread virally throughout the campus and led to a quickly prompted outrage and was taken down (Yglesias). After nearly being expelled for inappropriate behavior and misconduct, Zuckerberg decided it was time to create something useful, so when he heard rumors that there was a team currently working on a project called Harvard Connections, where three people were trying to convert their paper directories into a soft copy, Zuckerberg saw an opportunity. Recommended by a mutual friend, Divya Narendra and the Winklevosses came to Mark Zuckerberg as the coder to execute their plan (Carlson). They wanted to create a website called Harvard Connections that would be an online directory, but needed an experienced coder in order to get the project running as quick as possible. Meanwhile, there were two other popular social networking sites, MySpace and Friendster, but each of them had their own problems. MySpace became far too complex to grab audiences from all ages. Those too young a nd too old were unable to use MySpace and quit in frustration. Friendsters demise was due to its large fan base, and it was unable to build software capable of handling such load (Blodget). Keeping the weaknesses of these sites in mind, Zuckerberg began working on his project. One of the most popular trials of the decade was about the controversial origins of Facebook. Originally called thefacebook, Zuckerberg and his team had a completely different purpose in mind than what Facebook is today. Divya Narendra, Cameron Winklevoss, and Tyler Winklevoss presented this online directory in order to accomplish two main goals: build a Harvard-only website directory and soon expand to other colleges to act as an online directory. But on February 4th, 2004, Mark Zuckerberg released thefacebook to Harvard students, and immediately caught the attention of them (Carlson). Within a week, Divya and the Winklevosses filed a lawsuit claiming the Zuckerberg stole their idea, however, they presented a very weak case. From contracts to patents, Divya and the Winklevosses were lacking any form of tangible proof, to the point where they could not even prove that Zuckerberg worked with them with the Harvard Connection project (Carlson). After initial hurdles, the credit of its s uccess goes equally to the design of the app and its creator, Mark Zuckerberg. Zuckerbergs popularity contributed to the initial success. Due to Marks notoriety of creating the viral game Facemash, and the simplicity of the design, Facebook became an instant hit. Zuckerberg took into account what led to the death of other social networking sites, such as complexity and overload, and understood what would kill Facebook (Carlson 2018). Even though the Facebook became a hit in Harvard, he still needed to accomplish his second goal: expansion. So in the summer of 2004, Zuckerberg left Harvard and started a full time Facebook job in Palo Alto.Facebook still had a long way to go before it became the powerful entity that it is today. By taking the first step to introduce the marketplace, which is is a convenient destination to discover, buy, and sell items with people in your community onto Facebook, it was able to attract many businesses and sellers, further expanding the company (Ku). With the ability for companies or individuals to sell their products, Facebook added a new perspective to the existing idea. Rather than just being a place for people to post pictures and see faces, Facebook became a professional site where customers and producers can meet and interact. Then, on April 9, 2012, Facebook made the decision to buy Instagram for one billion dollars, an investment that proved to be very useful. Until then, Facebook was reluctant on making large purchases and acquisitions, with nothing exceeding $100,000 (Rusli). Another simple piece of software that improved the overall experience was released in April of 2008, called Facebook Chat (Boyd). Essentially, it allowed users to text their friends from the same application that allowed them to share pictures and sell products. Facebook had successfully built a one stop shop technique in the world of connectivity, but was certainly not going to be the last company to make it.Between the release of Facebook and today many competitors appeared, but rather than taking Facebook out of the race, the competition pushed Facebook toward a more immersive experience and integrated it into our lives. The simplistic aspect is what kept Facebook ahead of its competitors. While companies added software updates every month with brand new features, it forgot to balance the simplicity. Products became bulky in an attempt to cram everything onto one piece of software, therefore overcomplicating the original app, leading to frustration when used by customers. Facebook , on the other hand, kept in mind that people were not always able to navigate a webpage or smartphone, so kept it as natural as possible. Zuckerbergs genuine passion for the product, rather than the money behind it, also put Facebook ahead of the curve (Blodget). Companies that began to lose focus of their original goals and began to chase after money, started to sacrifice on the quality of the product. Whether that be lowering maintenance costs or implementing too many ads, Facebook turned away any opportunity that took away from the overall experience (Blodget). Another idea Zuckerberg believed in to make Facebook into the product that it is today, is the constant updates and improvement he made. Zuckerberg turned away from the traditional approach of using focus groups and beta testing, before any update (Blodget). He would let the reviews and voice of the users determine how well the update was. By taking this approach, Facebook started to know what exactly the customer wanted, and soon outgrew its competitors.Fourteen years later, Facebook has revolutionized the concept of social media, which used to be limited to interacting with your friends online, but has now been incorporated into more than two billion lives and thousands of companies. One reason Facebook has changed social media is because of how it incorporates business into its system. It does this with the process of a dvertising, where other businesses will pay by either clicks or views. Even if each click or view pays very little individually, with all of Facebooks users and all the businesses who market on it, the revenue can stack up quickly. Since a majority of Facebooks total revenue comes from advertising, about 98%, it is critical they emphasize it. In 2017 alone, Facebook made almost 39.9 billion U.S. dollars (Statista). This relation between Facebook and its businesses is mutualistic, because Facebook gets money, and companies can gain awareness and customer through advertising, boosting the economy. Society also relies on Facebook for its element of instantaneous feedback and outreach. People are aware of what is happening at all times around the world, whether it pertains to a catastrophe, politics, or an event your friend is attending (Blodget). Even if one were to stay offline for a couple days, they would be able to catch up in the matter of minutes, and this catalyzation of information is what Facebook is able to offer the 21st century. Although it may seem obvious, Facebooks greatest strength that brought it to its height is the connectivity it presents. With about 400 million people visiting each day, Facebooks scope has widely increased with people making friends and meeting each other online (Carlson) . As people continue to join Facebook for social, educational, or corporate purposes, the large scope makes it more imperative in our daily lives. Having messenger, marketplace, ones Facebook feed, and much more in one location is far too convenient for any user to leave. With 2.2 billion users, Facebook has a huge responsibility for keeping the users happy, safe, and secure when using their site, something that they have not lived up to at times. With fake news, Russias intervention in the election, and most recently, the scandal involving Cambridge Analytica, Facebook has not had the greatest track record when it comes to privacy. In an interview, Zuckerberg acknowledged that, We have a responsibility to protect your information. If we cannot, we do not deserve it, (Ygleias). After the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook saw a sharp decrease in users, and ever since the overall trends are going down. The reason behind this is the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where in mid-March, people discovered that a data-mining company, Cambridge Analytica, took tens of millions of profiles without their permission in an attempt to alter the outcome of the 2016 election (Anderson). People were afraid that any action by Facebook would start a ripple effect and could impact their lives in negative ways. Facebook, however, is not one to simply move forward with their mistakes, they make changes. Facebook now allows users to download their personal data and gives customers more freedom with their privacy settings (Jenkins). They also hired the first head of cybersecurity, Nathaniel Gleicher, the former white house official (Salinas). Cyber attacks are increasing every year, and with Nathaniel Gleicher, Facebook is determinan t on fighting back. They have developed software and made more restrictions and precautions with their databases. Everytime Facebook invests in cybersecurity, it is not only Zuckerberg who has changed, it is all the other tech companies who continue to take the same actions. Seeing the consequence of the lack of security, many companies, whether that be a startup, or a tech giant such as Google, are taking cyber security more seriously. With each mistake Facebook makes, they find a way to protect users from the dangers of the internet and behind them are all the other companies, following in their footstep. One man, one idea, and one goal is all it took for Zuckerberg to create an empire that influenced the way people live their lives. Facebook has become an integral part of society in almost every aspect, whether it be social, corporate, and educational. Facebook has catalyzed the way we communicate and has become a part of our daily lives.

The Effectiveness Of Supermax Prisons And Extreme Solitary...

The Effectiveness of Supermax Prisons and Extreme Solitary Confinement Kelsey R. Eborall Boise State University Abstract This paper discusses what supermax prisons are and the philosophy behind them. There are minimum, medium, and maximum-security prisons, so what was the reasoning behind forming a supermax security level? Supermax prisons are an extreme form of solitary confinement used to keep away the worst inmates. Many questions are raised on whether this is a humane form or incapacitation or not. Does this form of extreme solitary confinement work or is it too extreme? Mental heath, costs, and lack of programs make this a form of isolation that wouldn t be found anywhere else. This paper is designed for the reader to gain a perspective on the arguments for and against supermax prisons, as well as layout how supermaxes were formed and the underlying goals behind them. The Effectiveness of Supermax Prisons and Extreme Solitary Confinement Various studies have been conducted testing the effectiveness of supermax prisons. Is the level of confinement too extreme, does it act as a deterrent; is it a successful form of incarceration, and who gets sent to supermaxes? All of these questions are relevant in beginning to understand the philosophy behind this form of incarceration. However, there is no empirical research regarding the need of supermax prisons, past or present (Mear 2013). Little research has actually been conducted on the basis inShow MoreRelatedPersuasive Essay On Prison Segregation1490 Words   |  6 PagesWhen it comes to segregation in prisons, there is a great deal of controversy. There are people who argue that this type of segregation (also referred to as solitary confinement) is necessary in certain situations, while others find that it is absolutely unnecessary and should be abolished. Ashley Smith was one such individual that spent most of her sentence in segregation unti l she took her own life. In the case of Smith, there was a lot more that should have been done to prevent her tragic demiseRead MorePrison Overcrowding Essay3058 Words   |  13 PagesPrison Overcrowding In America’s tough economic society, over population has become an exceedingly hot topic issue. However, overcrowding in America’s prison system has been a severe problem since the 1970s. The majority of the changes have come from different policies on what demographic to imprison and for what reason. The perspective of locking up criminals because they are evil is what spawned this (Allen, 2008). Because of this perspective the prison system in America is in need of serious

Virgin Group †Richard Branson Free Essays

RICHARD BRANSON’S VIRGIN GROUP —Problems— Although certainly notorious, Richard Branson’s Virgin Group has experienced several problems. In the short-term, brand overextension has become a threat since the company has entered multiple markets. Brand overextension leads to damaging the comprehensive Virgin brand. We will write a custom essay sample on Virgin Group – Richard Branson or any similar topic only for you Order Now Since the Virgin brand itself is the company’s greatest asset, protecting the brand image is critical. The Virgin brand image has a connotation of value and lifestyle. Due to many joint ventures, licenses, and alliances with other companies, the objective of the â€Å"Virgin experience† could be destroyed. Furthermore, as Virgin becomes more global and more adaptive to individual cultures, the customer experience will certainly vary, again leading to brand overextension. For example, although the United Kingdom may condone Virgin’s racy and edgy advertisements, other parts of the world, as our group testifies, views such material quite explicit and even shocking. Thus, while Virgin enters different markets, negative impacts can arise, hindering Virgin’s brand. A second short-term problem is Virgin’s financial information that is fragmented, hard to locate, and even interpret. With the company’s different alliances and joint ventures, questions about the financial health of the Virgin group were being asked. Thus after examination, Virgin faced financial challenges that led to negative cash flow. This was mainly due to the Branson’s approach of stand-alone basis where the most profitable company’s revenues financed new market entrances. Despite some profitable areas of Virgin, many did not generate cash. Therefore, as Virgin grows, a more systematic approach must be implemented to create synergies between businesses. Long-term problems also exist for Virgin. First is Branson’s close affiliation to Virgin. What happens if the public tire of his exploits? What will happen to Virgin when Branson 1 leaves? An implication of these questions is that Virgin needs Branson. Virgin’s strong brand is fortified by Branson’s own personal values. A second long-term problem for Virgin is the company’s little formal structure and management system. Although this structure presently works for Virgin, allowing the company to be viewed as entrepreneurial and innovative, in the long-term creativity must be managed at Virgin. Company Analysis— After analyzing Virgin through various analytical frameworks including internal/external analysis, SWOT analysis, and value chain analysis, we have discovered the importance of Virgin’s strong brand and diversification strategy. In sum, Virgin’s strongest capability is the company’s strong brand. The brand’s foundations of entrepreneurship and eccentricity result in Virgin being a strong customer-oriented company. Since the Virgin brand is so strong, the company has been able to diversify into many new markets. Diversification for Virgin is made possible by joint ventures and strategic alliances that are ultimately less risky. Thus the Virgin brand leverages Virgin’s resources. Furthermore, Branson’s values are revealed in the Virgin company. The brand image, which is the motor of the company, results in innovative start-ups that keep Virgin both successful and sustainable. —Alternatives— To continue Virgin’s success, we have identified several alternatives. First, Virgin could go public; thereby gaining additional capital that could be used to fund new start-ups. The disadvantage with this alternative is that Virgin would be forced to abide by formal accounting rules, which Branson states he does not favor. Furthermore, Virgin’s brand could become diluted since the image would move towards a more traditional stance. 2 A second alternative is that Virgin’s management could designate Branson’ s successor and prepare that person to take on the task of CEO. The advantage of this alternative is that the fate of Virgin is not attached to Branson alone. This could help separate Branson from the Virgin brand that allows Virgin to flourish as a company, and not merely an extension of Branson himself. Additionally, new leadership could prove beneficial for Virgin’s long-term success, and namely deciding Virgin’s structure. However, Branson’s absence could also weaken the brand in the short-term. Since the public easily identifies with Branson’s traits as loyal and fair, customers could perceive Virgin negatively. To thwart such initial negativity, Virgin could slowly implement the new successor, allowing him or her to also revel in the spotlight alongside Branson. Thirdly, Virgin could dispose of unprofitable companies. This consolidation would result in money saved and the creation of a more formal organizational structure. Therefore, across the board, Virgin would be able to have a more uniform decision processes. Consolidation would also reassure investors since the corporate structure would be less complex and financial data more readily available. The motives for diversification are growth, risk reduction, and profitability. If Virgin cannot achieve those goals through the diversification strategy, then there are no reasons why Virgin should keep unprofitable companies. Focusing on related industries would then give Virgin expertise; and thereby creating both value for shareholders and exploiting economies of scale. Furthermore, Virgin could allocate resources among the firms more efficiently, giving Virgin better future strategy formulations. 3 —Recommendations— One must analyze Porter’s essential tests that that include the attractiveness test, cost-ofentry test, and the better-off test, to determine whether a diversified strategy has a sustainable competitive advantage. Because Virgin’s strong brand is firmly embedded in the company’s corporate structure, the attractiveness test reveals that many—though not all (example is the unprofitable Virgin Money)— of Virgin’s diversified companies are attractive. Secondly, costof-entry must be considered. For Virgin, many entry costs are feasible, because profitable Virgin companies support the new start-ups. And thirdly, the better-off test shows that new companies within Virgin must be profitable and add value. Although many new companies do not add financial benefits, the new companies do add brand value. Thus the answer to the question whether Virgin is a successful diversified company is clearly yes. Overall the diversification works quite well. However, we do recommend that Virgin exit the unprofitable industries and consolidate. This would be beneficial in the short-term as capital immediately becomes available. Furthermore, this would also help Virgin in the long-term as only profitable companies remain, allowing Virgin to increase revenue. In looking at Virgin’s long-term success, we recommend that Virgin continue its short-term strategy of further developing expertise in key areas. Thus, long-term market saturation would be avoided, while also maintaining Virgin’s strong brand awareness. Despite Branson’s strong presence, we also suggest that Virgin slowly implement a successor. Virgin’s brand is about personality—indeed the company needs a strong focal point. As humans are not immortal, the slow implementation of a new personality could also capture the public’s attention. 4 5 How to cite Virgin Group – Richard Branson, Papers