On the web and social epidemics
The internet has made it easier for social epidemics to occur simply on the basis of the increased flow of information among people on a daily basis. Whereas before, people had to use more tedious methods of research to find what they were looking for, now information is opened up to anyone with just a few clicks (most of the time) and it is that free flow of information that creates epidemics quickly and often.
By using the internet, one expands his/her social web exponentially, simply because of the ease of not only finding information on a subject, but also finding others who are interested in that same subject to communicate with. This way, when something is found to be particularly useful or interesting, the word spread much more quickly than before, which expedites the process of an epidemic.
If anything, the web has allowed for so many social epidemics to occur that epidemics have become mainstream and/or expected. Bands can become nationally known at the drop of a hat. Gadgets like the iPod or the RAZR can go from being nonexistent to being in everyone’s household (sometimes more than once). Clothing trends can take over not only regions, but entire nations.
By allowing for the quick formation and publication of opinions about different issues or products, the web allows for a lightning-fast creation of groups that form based solely on those issues or products. In doing so, they create all sorts of externalities that end up with new consumers who come looking for answers quickly taking up whatever device is supported by the most people. All of these factors combine in making it a fairly easy decision that the introduction of the web has made social epidemics become almost commonplace in the modern world.
By using the internet, one expands his/her social web exponentially, simply because of the ease of not only finding information on a subject, but also finding others who are interested in that same subject to communicate with. This way, when something is found to be particularly useful or interesting, the word spread much more quickly than before, which expedites the process of an epidemic.
If anything, the web has allowed for so many social epidemics to occur that epidemics have become mainstream and/or expected. Bands can become nationally known at the drop of a hat. Gadgets like the iPod or the RAZR can go from being nonexistent to being in everyone’s household (sometimes more than once). Clothing trends can take over not only regions, but entire nations.
By allowing for the quick formation and publication of opinions about different issues or products, the web allows for a lightning-fast creation of groups that form based solely on those issues or products. In doing so, they create all sorts of externalities that end up with new consumers who come looking for answers quickly taking up whatever device is supported by the most people. All of these factors combine in making it a fairly easy decision that the introduction of the web has made social epidemics become almost commonplace in the modern world.
