Youth Radio - Culture

Twitter's Twilight and the Fall of Facebook

noah — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:32:19 -0500

Something is stirring on the Interwebz. Call it a legitimate social media backlash. Call it the usual summertime griping by cranky, old-before-their-time mainstream media types about them there newfangled gizmos. Call it a month-long debate between The New York Times, Mashable and youth media maven Danah Boyd.

Call it Twitter's Twilight and the Fall of Facebook.

Or not. Maybe.

Like other forms of divination the fine art of interpreting online user data depends heavily on your point of view. For the past few weeks there’s been a heavy back and forth between the old guard and the new about whether teens use Twitter and if there’s an exodus going on over at Facebook.

Buried under all the spin (which danah boyd eviscerates in the case of the Twitter story and the New York Observer carves to pieces in defense of Facebook) are two themes.

One is the traditional media desire for someone, anyone, to get their comeuppance. Americans, especially Media-Americans, love nothing so much as a success story to end with a spectacular flame-out. Career obituaries being far more entertaining to write than actual obituaries. Odds are that even the biggest social media cheerleaders are just dying to see Facebook go the way of Friendster and SixDegrees.

The other hidden theme is far more interesting. It’s all the questions that are barely being asked.

What does it mean for young people to be living in public from the jump-off? As little as ten years ago it took a blend of ego and geeky know-how to put together a public profile online. Now it not only takes seconds, and it’s practically required to survive socially.  

A teenager’s social circle might not be far flung or career-oriented enough for Twitter to have any real utility in the day to day, but traditionally private forms of communication taking place in public places is having all kinds of interesting side effects. What Clive Thomspon at Wired calls the "New Literacy”. Is the culture breeding a super-savvy generation of wits and raconteurs? Or is identity going to be reduced to the new astrology of Facebook quizzes broadcast to the ten thousand marketers who are following your status updates?

Has the end of social media begun? Not likely.

Previously:

What eBay's Skype Sale Says About Twitter and Facebook

rpereira — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:31:11 -0500

'Today' Show Hires Bush's Daughter as TV Reporter

rpereira — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:22:26 -0500

Disney Buys Marvel: Debate Club Reaction

noah — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:12:02 -0500

Spiderman and Donald Duck just became cousins.

You've heard it all over the place, and now Youth Radio's resident geeks: recording artist Quincy "BeME" Mosby and online editor Noah "Old Man" Nelson weigh in on the debate club topic: Disney Buys Marvel- Worst Thing Ever?

Camera: Denise Tejada
Edits & Snark: The Old Man
Make-Up: Q.M.

Previously:

Obama-mania Tattoos

denise — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:08:46 -0500

Our 44th president developed a lot of fans when he ran for office and got elected. Months later, the Obama-mania continues. You've heard of the Obama pins, shirts, bags, stickers, plates, cups, but now people have put Obama’s face on their legs, arms, shoulders, and back.

I understand 2009 is full of historic moments, but as far as tattooing the president’s face? It's a bit much—especially if it doesn’t look like him.

Vetocorleone.com has compiled a list of the 15 most awful Obama tattoos. A word of advice: make sure that when you are getting a tattoo of someone’s face that it actually looks like him/her. If it doesn't, don’t pay, don’t leave, and demand the tatoo artists fix it—because it's embarrassing walking around with something ugly and permanent.

Previously:

'Reading Rainbow' Reaches its Final Chapter

rpereira — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:19:24 -0500

Omarion Featuring Lil' Wayne

denise — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:06:52 -0500

Omarion, the B2K singer and the newest member of Young Money Entertainment has a new song titled, "Get In". It features none other than Lil' Weezy, Weezy F baby, Young Mula-- in other words, Lil' Wayne himself.

The song doesn’t have me bobbing my head to the music, but I do think it's a new sound for Omarion.

This ain’t your typical Omarion love song. He doesn't sing about the softer side of love. Instead, "Get In" is more of a club song. I’m not sure this song will put him up on the charts. It looks like he is expanding his style from his more solid R&B roots, but he has work to do if he wants to stay alive in the hip-hop game.

What do you think -- does Omarion have what it takes to stay competitive in the industry?

Previously:

Black Hair, Still Tangled in Politics

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:07:28 -0500

Augmented-Reality Games Coming to a Planet Near You

kchau — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:11:39 -0500

There’s been a lot of buzz lately in the realm of video games -- augmented-reality games are coming to life! So what’s the big commotion? The videos below should explain it all better than this post itself can.

Invizimals

While it's yet to have an official release date, Invizimals is already becoming a household name. This camera-based video game is featured exclusively for the PSP and as of now, Sony said it will not be on the new PSPGo, at least until Sony can come up with a new camera attachment for the sleeker PSP model. A sneak preview was shown at E3 but at a secret area where it was revealed to only a few. (Ed. Note: Which might be for the best, because this story teaser trailer is pure velveeta).

Ghostwire

Similarly, Nintendo's DSi platform has its own augmented reality game called Ghostwire, from the Swedish game studio A Different Game, which is partially like Ghostbusters but instead you won’t demolish them and would be offering them some guidance.

EyePet

And if the Invizimals and Ghostwire aren't enough, no worries, I saved the best for last for you. Take a look at EyePet—another augmented-reality game that allows the user to physically interact with a virtual pet instead of using the old-fashioned controller to do so. I was in awe by the blending of the virtual and real world.

Previously:

Singer Chris Brown Allegedly Involved in Other Violent Incidents

rpereira — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:03:36 -0500

Gender Questioned After Victory

denise — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 18:05:23 -0500

Caster Semenya, an 18-year-old from South Africa, just became the winner of the women’s 800 meter race at the World Championships. She also holds a new world record for the fastest time in that race. However, with her new title comes doubts about her gender. Two of her seven competitors are confident Semenya is a man. Now, South Africa’s track and field federation is requesting that Semenya undergo a gender test. The test involves several evaluations from a gynecologist, endocrinologist, psychologist, an internal medicine specialist, and an expert on gender.

Gender testing is not new. In the mid-1960s, there are examples of women who competed at an international level who underwent gender-verification. This testing is no longer required by athletes unless it’s asked.

Right after her victory, rumors began spreading that Semenya was not female. Those rumors reached Semenya and it’s been reported she did not want to accept her gold medal because of the accusations.

"… 'No one has ever said I was not a girl, but here I am not. I am not a boy. Why did you bring me here? You should have left me in my village at home,'" Semaya told Leonard Chuene, president of Athletics South Africa.

Despite all the controversy, it’s clear this 18-year-old African has set the bar high for female runners. It’s just sad that they have to question her victory. It’s about time we accept reality and the reality is, right now she’s the fastest female runner -- a World Champion.

Life After 'Slumdog' Full of Promise -- and Skeletons

rpereira — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 11:51:44 -0500

Exploding Apples

rpereira — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:27:36 -0500

My father kept telling me to turn off my Macbook because there were cases of the batteries exploding and catching on fire. I didn’t really pay attention to him at first, but I think I will now. There have been several cases of Apple’s iPods and iPhones exploding throughout Britain and France. One teenager had his phone explode in his hand and the debris got caught in his eye. While Macbooks, iPods and iPhones are very different Apple products, they all have had some cases of batteries exploding and catching on fire.
Now the Consumer Product Safety Commission is conducting an investigation looking into the safety of our beloved Apple products. Until we get some results, I'll be making sure I log off and shut down.

Move Over Big Mac, Here Comes Big Carl

rpereira — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:59:01 -0500

Guilty Pleasures: Spice Girls or Rihanna?

rpereira — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:55:21 -0500

Back-to-School Shopping on the Cheap

skhan — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:40:41 -0500

Now that we going back to school, we are trying to find the stores with the best values. I don’t think people care about brands as much anymore as long as they can find something to cover up with. I have been to a lot a stores lately, especially at the mall, and they all are advertising so-called “specials.” But how much are you really saving?

Even the LA times reported recently that teen apparel sales are down at mall stores like Abercrombie and Fitch and American Eagle. Since the economy is down, and I'm going to be starting college in the fall, I wanted to ask youth in my city where they were planning on doing their back-to-school shopping.

David, 18, says that he can usually find a decent deal at the mall stores:

(download mp3)

Robert, also 18, finds the malls are OK, but prefers thrift stores, where he can get a bag of clothes for a song:

(download mp3)

Mayra, who graduates from high school this December, prefers to repurpose items she finds. For her, it's all about doing more with less:

(download mp3)

I'm not too much into any of those, so I asked around for an alternative. My mom goes to a place downtown known in Spanish as "Los callejones," or Santee Alley. So I did a little comparison shopping of my own and perhaps got a bit brainwashed by all the sale signs in the process. Take a look at this slideshow of what I found:

Previously:

Best and Worst Cities to Find a Job

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:46:51 -0500

Beckham Has Been Here Before

skhan — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:10:20 -0500

This past week, David Beckham stated that he is in no rush to return to Europe. The announcement served to placate his frustrated soccer fans from the U.S., who have been booing the star of the Los Angeles Galaxy at recent Major League Soccer (MLS) games. He has fallen out of favor with devotees on the American side of the pond since delaying his return there after a loan spell with European giants AC Milan earlier this year.

But, despite the long faces of his U.S. fans, Beckham still manages to draw a big crowd. On August 8th, when Galaxy lined up to face New England Revolution, there were 26,623 people in attendance. The figure is double that of Revolution's usual crowds--a clear signal of Beckham's continued influence. And just last week, in front of an audience of 93,000, the highest since the U.S. hosted the World Cup in 1994, Beckham silenced the booers--if only momentarily--at Galaxy's game against current European champions FC Barcelona, when he let rip yet another free kick. Beckham was in particularly fine form for the game, and earned congratulations at halftime from Barcelona stars Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi. Love him or hate him, it is clear that people want to see David Beckham play.

The large number of attendees at the Galaxy v. Barcelona game not only reflects the rising potential for the sport in the US, but signals Beckham's characteristic rebound back from adversity. In the season after the 1998 World Cup, he was booed nationwide at every game for his perceived role in England's exit from the competition--an infamous red card against Argentina. Unfazed by the negative attention, the midfielder simply went about his business of playing soccer and ended up having the most successful year of his soccer career to date. Soon after, Beckham was England captain. Then, he completely earned back the trust of the nation's soccer fans with a trademark free kick that allowed England to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.

But, when Beckham moved to the United States in 2007, he was, once again, in the doghouse with his European fanbase. Critics saw his move to the MLS, unquestionably of a poorer standard than the top European leagues, as all about the money. Still, many believed Beckham when he said he simply was trying to leave a legacy by developing soccer in the U.S. The reality is that both money and legacy were involved, but one needn't fault Beckham for the money bit. At this point, his name is a brand from which his former clubs have made huge profits and Galaxy and the MLS continue to benefit. While Beckham himself no doubt benefits from a purported $250 million a year, he puts that money to good use. He has set up an academy for young player development in Los Angeles and has been involved in community soccer programs across the country.

Beckham came to the US with a mission, and he has stuck by it the best that he can. But as with most international soccer players, overriding that mission is his clear passion to play the game at the highest level. This passion, which boiled over with a wreckless tackle in a game against the Seattle Sounders on August 15th, fuels Beckham's desire to play for his country--the highest honor for any soccer player. Within this context, Beckham's perceived disloyalty can be understood somewhat. Besides, with soccer players moving clubs almost every season in the rest of the world, loyalty has become a thing of the past. It is hard to see what Galaxy fans expected in the first place.

Still, Beckham's recent statement of his commitment to soccer in the States tempers his passion to play once again on an international level. When he retires from playing he hopes to set up his own team in the U.S., which he has the contractual right to do. But, he has always maintained that he decided to stay in Italy longer than planned in order to maintain his standing with England soccer coach Fabio Capello, who recently has reiterated that Beckham's future as an international soccer player depends on his return to Europe. In the short term, it seems Beckham's future may well lie elsewhere. But, until then, the booing won't discourage him. It's something he thrives on.

Unfortunately, that just might mean that his American fans may not see the best of him.

Previously:

Watch: Top Performers of 2009 National Poetry Slam

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:42:52 -0500

Whitney Houston's New Single

denise — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:09:37 -0500

Whitney Houston is one of the most admired soul singers of all time. Houston made history with her self-titled debut album. When it came out, Whitney Houston became the best-selling debut album by a female artist. But she didn’t stop there She held the top spot for her cover of Dolly Parton's “I Will Always Love You"

Houston’s success was not the only aspect of her life making headlines. Houston’s personal life with ex-husband Bobby Brown was on full display when the couple faced multiple accusations of illegal drug use.

When rumors started about Houston working on a new album, people were doubtful that she still has what it takes to make it in today’s music industry. Despite her rough times, Houston is back with a new album titled I Look to You. With a bit of funk and soul, her single, “Million Dollar Bill” has an old and new style to it.

Check out this video and let us know what you think --does Whitney Houston have what it takes to handle today’s R&B?

Cell Phones As Wallets?

denise — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:13:05 -0500

Carrying a cell phone has become a must for me—without it, I’m lost. My phone is my main source of communication. Phones are now more than just a tool for communication; they’re the wallets of the future.

Japan—a country that is far more advanced in mobile technology than the United States—has phones that allow users to make electronic payments, open doors, access subways, clip coupons, and serve as a potential second form of identification.

“A 963-person survey by Forrester Research, for instance, found that 15 percent of Japanese mobile phone users make payments and purchase products in stores with their phones.” (via CNN)

In 2000, the United States considered following in Japan’s footsteps but Americans weren’t open to the change. A couple of years later, Americans depend on cell phones; some have traded their land line for their cell phones. Now, America is ready to re-introduce this idea.

Witnessing technological progress is fascinating, but this is too much for me. I depend on my cell phone and despite that, I still lose it. This means if I lose my phone, I’m not only losing friends and family members’ phone numbers, but I’ll be losing my ATM, BART pass, and my ID. I’m not sure if I’m ready to take on that challenge... yet. Right now, the thought of turning a cell phone into something more than just a way to make calls or texts is overwhelming.

Previously:

Did G-Dragon Rip Off Flo Rida?

melodyor — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:12:47 -0500

G-Dragon is a member of Big Bang, a Korean Music Group, and is set to release his first solo album on his 21st birthday: August 18th. G-Dragon has been releasing previews from his album on Me2Day, a Korean version of Twitter. A recent song "Heartbreaker" was released and many people are saying it resembles Flo Rida's "Right Round" and that G-Dragon copied it.

Artists are always sampling music from other artists. Just like Flo Rida sampled from Dead or Alive's 1984 single "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" for "Right Round".

G-Dragon's company, YG Entertainment stated that "Now we only revealed just 30 seconds to the song, it is ridiculous to call it plagiarism. ‘Heartbreaker’ did not plagiarize other’s music. Please look forward to the full song."

Previously:

Overturning Prop 8

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:43:10 -0500

Plans for the Weekend

kchau — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:03:47 -0500

Have any plans this weekend? Well if you don’t, no worries, I got some moves for you to make.

Opening in theaters today are a host of highly anticipated films you can catch: the Peter Jackson produced alien flick District 9, romantic drama The Time Traveler’s Wife, family adventure Ponyo, band music-driven Bandslam, laugh-out-loud comedy The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard, and Ashton Kutcher starring comedy romance Spread, along with a few others.

Aside from catching flicks, there are a number events taking place this weekend throughout the Bay Area:

The Art and Soul Festival will be held in Downtown Oakland tomorrow August 15 from 12pm to 6pm and will have around 40 bands performing, ranging from Jazz to Latin to Rock and a few other genres. It’s a great event to attend with the family, especially if you’re into soulful music.Speaking of music, rapper Lil Wayne will be performing this Saturday at Sleep Train Pavillion in Concord at 7pm. Ticket prices range from $29.75-$89.75. Ticket sales are still available at the Live Nation website.

If you love plays, surely you’ll love Wicked the Musical. This play will be playing at the San Francisco’s Orpheum Theater on Saturday starting at 8pm and there will be two separate shows on Sunday – one starting at 2pm and the other at 7:30pm.

And if that’s not enough for you, check out here on SFGate and they have a list of other great events to look forward to.

ABDC: West vs. East

denise — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:26:02 -0500

The hit show is back again. It's America’s Best Dance Crew, better known as ABDC—a competition in which dance crews battle it out on the dance floor to prove who’s the best and for a chance to win $100,000.

The show was an instant hit. Jabbawockeez, known for their white mask and b-boy style became the first winners of ABDC.

Super Cr3w, the second season winners, made history as the first all b-boy group to win.

Then there’s Quest Crew , season three winners of ABDC, who killed it in their piano performance.

But what do these groups have in common? Is it that they are an all male group or that they have b-boy style? I don’t think so. I think it's that they are all from the West Coast. The West Coast has been sweeping the show with their unique style and toughness. Now the show is promoting more than just a title; it's promoting pride.

Commercials leading to the premiere of season four are making the challenge clear by constantly asking if the East Coast has what it takes to take the victory.
Season four aired on Sunday and it was clear the East Coast crews are in a mission to break the trend of West Coast wins.
The show was full of new dance moves. Salsa, fast foot work, and square dancing were among the dances that were brought to the dance floor.

I personally don’t care about the West vs. East battle. I want to see an all girl group take the title. Last season Beat Freaks were a dance a way from winning. They are an all girl poppin' and breakdancing group. Now, there’s a new poppin' all girl group in this season determined to finish the work Beat Freaks started. We Are Heroes is definitely a group the guys have to watch out for.

Is America’s Best Dance Crew ready to crown an all girl group? We’ll have to wait and see.

Previously:

Abdul's Leaving 'Idol' Really About Pay Inequality?

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:39:04 -0500

Mentally Ill and On Lockdown

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:08:35 -0500

1 in 10 Teens Post Nude Pictures on Facebook

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:57:10 -0500