If I were Kate Middleton, I would have let go a prolonged “steups” across the Atlantic toward President Obama and his War Room compatriots. Just two days after the world viewed the most anticipated wedding in record numbers, attention was veered to Pakistan, in greater numbers, for the slaying of Osama Bin Ladin. That sucks. The royals’ honeymoon tour was now put on the back burner of the world news. Despite this shift of focus, the two events made great impressions on the social network.
General Sentiment, a media analysis firm that tracks online buzz and social media responses to events has compiled data showing that that both news stories were followed more on the internet than every major TV event of the past year, including the Super Bowl, the Oscars and the premier of American Idol. The data, which look at online references in news media and social media, as well as on Twitter, show over two million online references to Bin Laden on the day of his death and the day after. The Al-Qaeda leader’s death attracted more attention online overall, though the Royal Wedding scored a greater number of Twitter mentions. The Royal Wedding garnered just under 1.9 million mentions, but was the subject of some 240,000 more tweets.
The social network has certainly become a significant part of our lives where information gathering is concerned. It is almost immediate, easily accessible and unlike television, we contribute to its content which is what gives it its appeal.
I hope that Kate has learned from this episode and plan for the arrival of the first child. Again, if I were her, I would deal with that party pooper president and demand that the next time I get my full moment of attention. – “Aye! Mr. President. I’m having my first baby on [date]. Don’t spoil it!”
