Yesterday saw the Internet's 40th birthday. I am guessing that when the first message was sent across America no one ever considered that 40 years later messages would be sent across the world from a hand held device while sat on the toilet!
This latest research of social media users in the US as reported by eMarketer found just that. I am not sure about the hygene risks involved, or how many phones have been dropped down the loo, but what is more worrying is that people check into their social media while driving! I know it is good to keep in touch but surely there is a time and a place?!
As companies have been announcing their Q3 profits it seems that the Digital market is emerging from the credit crunch. Companies in this sector all over the world have been announcing record profits:
Apple profits have jumped up by 47% on the back of increased iPhone and iMac sales
Google profits have seen a rise of 27% even before they start rivaling Amazon's Kindle in the eBook market
LG Dacom, a South Korean fixed-line carrier has posted a rise of 3.2%
IBM have reported a 14% rise due to a focus on software and services rather than hardware
There are sectors that continue to struggle but with the Digital sector pushing forward this is sure to kick start an up turn in economic fortunes. It does also highlight the strength on online and digital media against the more traditional industries.
I would like to congratulate Rio on their winning bid to host the 2016 Olympics. For Brazil to be the first South American country to ever host the competition says a lot about how far the country has progressed in the last decade. I spent 6 months last year traveling the world and Rio was definitely one of the highlights. It is a city that does not do things by halves and I can only imagine how long the celebrations will last following this result.
This video that is currently top of the viral video chart, is a beautifully crafted piece of work that shows the many different characteristics of the city. It is no wonder Rio was picked, as this video demonstrates the passion and belief that the city and its inhabitants share. It is a place that knows how to party and how to put on a show, and I am already looking forward to the opening ceremony.
This country has its problems, and Rio is not exempt from that. The favellas (slums) that are dotted around the city are at the heart of the issue with a great proportion of the city's crime rates and drug problems spilling out from there. Rio will have to tackle the favellas before the world descends on the city, but it will be interesting to see if the city chooses a long term solution through education, better housing and by creating jobs, or if they continue to try and hide them away through walling them off.
The city is going to have to change, but as long as they manage to keep the passion and the personality that is so strong now, the 2016 Olympics should be an unforgettable event.
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