If you were not on Facebook and Twitter in 2011, some might have considered you a dinosaur. Social media ruled all things from sports to entertainment to politics to gossip. It ruined marriages and careers, and ended several politicians’ reigns in Washington.
When the State Fair tragedy happened in August, news stations looked to Facebook and Twitter users to provide them with the latest updates from news to pictures, and when an earthquake shook Japan, Americans could donate money to local charities by simply texting to a five-digit number.
Even President Barack Obama took social media to another level this year by hosting the first ever town hall meeting via Twitter.
What else ruled business and technology in 2011? See below.
Phone hacking scandal brings down Rupert Murdock and News of the World
Journalists love to break stories, but good journalists do so ethically. It was uncovered in the UK that News of the World, which was owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch, was unraveling news stories by hacking voicemail messages of celebrities, politicians and others. In the beginning, it was reported only a handful of people were involved in the deceit, but as it turned out, it was easier to count who wasn’t guilty. Numerous arrests were made, people resigned or were fired and Murdoch closed down News of the World after 168 years.
The world mourns Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs proved that one person could change the world. Only a brilliant and complicated person could do such a thing. Jobs introduced us to the personal computer, desktop publishing, the iPod, iPhone and iPad.
He revolutionized the music industry and changed how artists and record labels marketed music and made money with the creation of iTunes.
When Jobs died after a lengthy battle with cancer at age 56 many were left to wonder, how else could he have changed the world? What else was brewing in his brain? Love him or hate him, he was a media visionary that left the world a much better place, and a lot more fun.
Netflix got it wrong
With Americans still struggling, a lot of people cut their cable and satellite bills by turning to streaming television services like Netflix. With a small monthly fee, people could subscribe to Netflix and view as many television shows and movies that they wanted. Then, Netflix became greedy and tried to take advantage, thinking subscribers had no other options and would easily conform. The company announced it was unbundling its DVD-by-mail service and charging higher rates for DVDs and for streaming, with a spin-off company for DVDs called Qwikster. The result? Over 800,000 frustrated customers canceled their subscriptions.
