Are you in the loop?

All week long, I've been getting Facebook notifications and texts that appeared to be spam. A message, "Hey Anna, (insert random Facebook friend here) has invited you to join "Circle - The Local Network" and told me to "get the app" (insert link here)." I ignored the notifications and deleted the texts, thinking nothing of it. But then two nights ago, I received several more alerts to join--more than usual--AND I saw people talking about the so-called app on Twitter. I saw the following tweet and finally, I knew I wasn't alone in this!

Circle is actually a mobile application (NOT spam) that also does what it says: connects you to locals--actual people in your area. Way to be literal, Hawthorne Labs, Inc. (They're the creators.)
According to this article from VB Mobile, "Circle is a location-based social network where you can view activity feeds of local activity. Members can post specific questions, ask for help, or use Circle to distribute information." This applies to people who you may or may not actually know.

In this blog post, user "stancollins," reviews the app. He states in the review posted on View On News on Dec. 6, "My first impression was that it seemed to be a mixture of Facebook and Twitter. I somehow already had 70 something followers and a couple of people in my “Circle.” I assume they took people from my Facebook friends list and automatically added them. As I scrolled through Circle’s equivalent of a newsfeed, I noticed that I saw posts from everyone that was in the area and not just people I followed or had in my circle. This is a cool concept because the focus is on what’s around you as opposed to what your regular group of friends is up to."

As the articles discuss, Circle is useful if you find yourself in a bind as well. With this app you can put out alerts for help, warnings, and live updates. Got a flat tire? Send out a message for help and a local will help you if they're in the area! It's quite an interesting concept because rather than focusing on who you are, the app focuses on where you are and who else is there, too.

Although I haven't actually used the app myself, I already have a complaint (funny how that works, huh?)...I think they're trying too hard to get people to join. Texting me? I don't like that. It's also VERY easily mistaken for spam. "stancollins" agrees, stating, "The biggest problem with this app, in my opinion, is that they try so hard to get more people on that it...I understand that they want a lot of people to use the app but it’s never pleasant receiving messages that look like spam."

What do you think of Circle? Have you been invited to join? Will you? The app is still very new and there isn't very much information on it, but I guess, when you think about it, the best way to get to know an app is to download it for yourself. Take a look at Circle - The Local Network...

Identity Crisis

The news has been buzzing over the last few days about Minnesota Viking's star Adrian Peterson's 2-year-old son's death. The boy passed on Friday after his mother's boyfriend reportedly assaulted him. Originally reported as a medical emergency, the Sioux Falls Police Department quickly determined that the boy's injuries were not accidental.

Police arrested Joseph Robert Patterson, 27, who was initially charged with aggravated assault and aggravated assault on an infant. His bond was set at $750,000 in cash before the boy's death.

According to several sources, including USA Today Sports, Patterson has a prior domestic abuse record with a different woman and child.

AP made statements Friday that the boy was his son, but not Adrian Peterson Jr., a rumor that began circulating. AP told the press he would play in Sunday's game against the Panthers. According to CNN, he also adamantly requested that his privacy be respected.

The child victim, originally thought to be AP Jr., has been identified as the "fruit of a casual relationship" previously unknown to the press. However, "memorial" photos of AP Jr. quickly spread over social media. According to several sources and news blogs, the child's existence was only recently brought to AP's attention. TMZ reported that AP met the child for the first time while the boy was on life support.

Black Sports Online, among many other news sites attempted to clear up the confusion, as well as AP himself via his social media accounts.

Aside from the fact that a child was killed in this event, which is incredibly tragic, I feel that one of the most unfortunate aspects is the complete invasion of privacy from the public via their social media. People mindlessly tweeted photos of AP Jr., a child that is alive and well. Several photos of him and his football star father were tweeted and posted, featuring the child with angel wings and “RIP” messages. Users did not take into consideration the facts of this story—did not even bother to fact-check at all, and as a result, falsely posted information about this little boy.

It just goes to show that people should CHECK THEIR SOURCES. While the confusion between the boys is understandable as they are very close in age, several news sites had already reported very quickly on Friday that AP Jr. was not the victim of Patterson’s abuse.

The Impression That I Get

Last post I discussed how so many in the online community over share information with their friends and followers. For the most part, this occurs on Facebook, as I elaborated on a week or so ago.

This week, my blog discusses the real world consequences to this phenomenon. According to this Huffington Post article, posted this morning, there are six major things recruiters (and employers) DO NOT want to see on social media. Read the article, here.

Posts about drugs, alcohol, sex and swearing will get you no where fast in the process of recruitment, as well as on the road to your next job or promotion. Even swearing and spelling can earn you a bad impression.

If you Google, "should employers be able to hire based on Facebook posts", you'll find this. Employers are encouraged to check social media posts to ensure that they are hiring the best employee for the job.

According to Forbes, checking prospective employees' social media activity can tell you exactly who to give the job. This article states that Facebook not only can show you these red flags (such as drugs, profanity and lying) but it can also give you some insight into whether or not they're the right fit and can even give you an inkling into how good at their job they'll be. Makes sense, right? Someone who constantly complains on Facebook may not have the work ethic and positive attitude a boss is looking for.

Many people, however, argue that employers and scouts should not be allowed to see these personal posts. What do you think? Are Facebook posts, Tweets and Instagram posts private if we put them out there for the world to see? Should we be allowed this privacy? There is always the option of making your accounts private, but then that poses the question of, "what are you hiding?"

What do YOU think??