http://www.facebook.com/environment.change.org?ref=search
Title:
Environment
Description:
This site promotes environmental issues and gives links to websites that discuss environmental issues. All of the posts are made by the host "Environment." Each post summarizes an article with a link to the Environment newsletter where you can view the entire article. When you get to that article there is a place for comments. There are many comments on each article. The site makes it easy to scan for environmental issues that are of interest to you and provides a link making it simple any of the articles. Once you are on their site you are encouraged to look into other environmental issues. For example, the top right has the article of the day promoted with a link. Just below that are several article links taking you to the "most popular petitions." There on the same page, without even having to read the popular petition articles are boxes you can click on to sign that you agree and it tells you how many people have already agreed today. It encourages you to sign a petition or start a petition by giving you a link to do that. This is followed by most popular stories and most commented on stories, using the same tactics of numbers to influence you to read them. Then there is a section that will take you to change.org for even more environmental issues. There is a place where you can share with facebook, twitter, and through email. At the bottom of the page is a previous and next, giving you links to environmental issues in the order they were published.
Title:
Environment
Description:
This site promotes environmental issues and gives links to websites that discuss environmental issues. All of the posts are made by the host "Environment." Each post summarizes an article with a link to the Environment newsletter where you can view the entire article. When you get to that article there is a place for comments. There are many comments on each article. The site makes it easy to scan for environmental issues that are of interest to you and provides a link making it simple any of the articles. Once you are on their site you are encouraged to look into other environmental issues. For example, the top right has the article of the day promoted with a link. Just below that are several article links taking you to the "most popular petitions." There on the same page, without even having to read the popular petition articles are boxes you can click on to sign that you agree and it tells you how many people have already agreed today. It encourages you to sign a petition or start a petition by giving you a link to do that. This is followed by most popular stories and most commented on stories, using the same tactics of numbers to influence you to read them. Then there is a section that will take you to change.org for even more environmental issues. There is a place where you can share with facebook, twitter, and through email. At the bottom of the page is a previous and next, giving you links to environmental issues in the order they were published.
Discussion: The makers of this facebook page have the intention of drawing people into their own website. On the facebook page itself, the summaries are brief and create curiosity. Most of the comments on their facebook site are in stark agreement or disagreement to the summary. This sparks your interest as to why they feel so strongly about the issue and makes you curious enough to check out the entire article. Once on their website, they continue to promote their agenda of environmental concern and they cover issues in about every area of the environment. They use the influence of popularity throughout their site. They post how many people signed certain petitions that are highlighted that day. They post the most frequently viewed information so you easily know what is important and can follow up on it by reading it. Of course, this is a method to influence you to agree with them. Then finally, they give you the opportunity to become politically involved by signing petitions or starting your own.
Summary:
The owners of this site are promoting their beliefs on facebook, drawing you to their site, and getting you involved. The site is easy to navigate and to understand. I believe they are successfully promoting their agenda. I think site of this nature will promote their agenda among those who are already interested and are drawn to their sites or through the word of mouth. Or maybe I should say through the click of "share."
Summary:
The owners of this site are promoting their beliefs on facebook, drawing you to their site, and getting you involved. The site is easy to navigate and to understand. I believe they are successfully promoting their agenda. I think site of this nature will promote their agenda among those who are already interested and are drawn to their sites or through the word of mouth. Or maybe I should say through the click of "share."
Title:
Human Trafficking - The Issues Part I
Description:
This is a YouTube video that was made to raise awareness of the problem of human trafficking. In the video the producer includes the United Nations definition of human trafficking. While the video of examples of people being exploiting is rolling, facts about the subject are in words on the screen. A women speaks about being a victim. Warnings about how traffickers lure their victims is played out and described. Commenters add their feelings and occasionally add links to websites.
Discussion:
The producer of this YouTube video is clearly trying to bring awareness to the problem of human trafficking. It has had over 20,000 hits. It tugs on heartstrings through playacting a lady being bought, and pictures of victims of all different settings. The stats make the viewer aware of how big of a problem it really is. The words and video show how anyone can potentially be a victim but the vulerable are the women and children. YouTube operates by giving connections to other similar videos so you can learn even more about the problem. Commenters help you to become even more engaged in the reality. Informed commenters want to assist the initial intent of the video by adding websites where people can help.
Summary:
The producer of this video did a very good job of promoting awareness and giving warnings to potential victims. It may have helped to have a "How you can get involved" at the end of the video that would make it easier to link up with an organization. I think YouTube does a wonderful job of raising awareness when one is trying to do so, but fails to always provide the possible ways to get involved. The high viewership aids in promoting causes.
http://forums.ebay.com/db1/forum/Natural-Disaster-And/1000000000
Title:
Recent Topics in Natural Disaster and Weather Related Emergency Board
Description:
This part of ebay was unfamiliar to me until recently. You must be a member in order to view it. There is an option to go to community and then to discussions and you will find much more than buying and selling. On this particular forum people are discussing natural disasters. There are many ways that people choose to comment. Some just report their own stories which is very interesting. Some complain about how emergency personal responded. The most heart wrenching are those who tell of their great loses and ask for help. The site offers a short part of each post but by dragging your mouse over the story you can read the whole post. By clicking on the post you can read the post in full view and others comments on it. You can also post on each person's comment.
Discussion:
I think this is a very interesting way to get more information on news stories from personal points of view. These are the stories the reporters miss. You can feel like you are friends with those in need and offer them support. You may be made more aware of the problems surrounding helping the victims and get involved politically or regionally. The site offers information about natural disasters that give you a more personal an up close understanding. I like the way you can become part of a community, reaching out to those in need online. However, it would be wise to validate a story before helping monetarily.
Summary:
The site is successful in allowing people to discuss issues that are real and difficult. It offers support. I am not sure how effective it would be at actually getting help to where it is needed on a large scale, but do think it brings awareness. Awareness is one of the first steps. Furthermore, the site allows for complaining without flaming so it might get some political action for change in areas where there is needed improvement with rescue and community rebuilding.