Week 9 – Derek Yoshikane

Humor is spreadable.  The projects like Dumb Ways to Die reached a vast audience because it was funny.  This project includes a funny song released on YouTube.  I was surprised that even some of my busy co-workers(teachers) have seen it.  Maybe I just live in a cave.  I think that funny videos posted online and now a part of casual conversations near the water cooler, or in my case, the copy room.  In Spreading Media, humor is defined as part of the “stickiness” in the content.  Do people see beyond the humor?  If so, how do you ever know?

I am not a big user of Facebook, but I do appreciate how Facebook can enhance the spreadability of media.  I logged on to my Facebook account and played the Half the Sky game. The project website boasts about having over one million players of this game on Facebook.  I played for a while and learned about the real life struggles that families in India go through.  I did anticipate a donation solicitation while playing.  Sure enough, it came after I earned enough fake money to take my daughter to the clinic.  I had several tasks that included convincing my husband that saving our sick daughter was a worthwhile, picking mangoes from my backyard, and selling the mangoes to the market.  I found myself sucked into this virtual world, but unlike other games, I felt like I was learning something valuable and not just killing time.  I felt more willing to help because the game made the situation more personal.  I am finally convinced that Facebook can be used for more meaningful sharing.