SOCS 300 – Convenience is key

Myth: In today’s world, we all are subjected and dictated by the media into believing what they want us to believe.
Fact: The number of people who trust the recommendations of other consumers is 78%, more than the number of people who trust commercial advertisements, which is only 48%.

To say that the advent of the Internet has revolutionized the way we see the world is an understatement. We no longer absorb whatever we are given. No longer do we have to subject ourselves to the inane commercials that play repeatedly on the tube. It is now a two way street, a parallel play of sorts. The Internet is the new form of communication, with user forums, social networking sites and the likes. We create whatever we want to create.

The Web is now our stage and the whole world is our audience. In the past, I used to create print ads and music for a specific audience or clients. There was no way I could reach a global audience. Now, a single upload is all it takes to potentially garner views and comments. This interactive process enables feedback from like-minded people and hence a community to grow and learn together. Anyone with a camera, or a computer can easily upload custom songs or hacks for anyone’s viewing pleasure.

The telephone would be obsolete with the growing user base of the Web, but it is contrary to what you think. In fact, many people find themselves using the phone more often, hand in hand with the Web. The ease at which dialing a phone number has not changed. It is mostly fast, and direct, if the other participant is receptive. Social networking sites now allow members to put details about themselves for easy contact purposes. If I wanted to find an actor, recommended by a friend, for my grad film, I could look him/her up via Facebook and hopefully get in contact with that person, if he/she has her details posted. With the insane amount of networks people have, as well as the big groups that the members join, tracking down someone is not really that difficult anymore.

Also, TV advertisements do not get much viewership nowadays. Many people prefer to channel surf or take a break, instead of watching the ads. With the Web, we get to view the essential parts of a particular movie or TV show, without interruption, at any given time. We can essentially skip all adverts and watch the programme. And even if we wanted to watch the adverts, we could do it on our own time.

It has been a while since I personally bought newspaper to read. The last time I read a news article from a newspaper was when I was waiting in line at the doctor’s office. And that was only because it was right next to me. I picked it up because it was convenient. That’s why I read all the news on the Web. That’s why I watch TV shows on the Web. That’s why I interact with a global audience every time I respond to a question on a forum. Convenience is key.