Yelp! Location based programs are taking over!

Is anyone concerned with this generations sense of direction? I know I am. With new location based programs such as yelp, facebook, google maps, foursquare and gowalla--soon no one will be able to find their way around without their smart phone or computer. For the purpose of this discussion, I want to focus on the smart phone app--Yelp.

Yelp was actually founded in 2004, but available through your mobile phone in 2010 when the ratings of monthly visitors exceeded 54 million. Yelp, is an app that take where your current location is (using the built in GPS in your phone) and then allows you to search for different things in the surrounding area you are in. Whether that be certain restaurants, churches, hospitals, entertainment centers, movie theaters, etc. Then, it links to google maps and gives you turn by turn directions as to how to get to your selected destination. I won't lie, yelp was a very convenient tool that I used on a cross country trip I went on last summer. However, throw out your maps! there's no need to learn a sense of direction anymore!

It is a very brilliant thing to invent a location-based program because it is so personal to the individual using it. They can search their preferences based on where they are. It is convenient, affordable, and easy to use. It's no wonder GPS and location based programs have started to keep all maps piling up with dust on those shelves.

Traditional Media

In an article found online at http://technology.inquirer.net/7499/technology-seen-as-shifting-power-of-traditional-media-to-people/, the author argues that traditional media, will soon become completely overtaken by social media. Where, it used to be that people would be hired to work for the media because of their writing, communication, or technical skills, it will soon be that people are either hired because of their social media skills, or simply not hired at all because of the convenience of social media as a form of publicity, companies will no longer see the need for traditional media advertising or communicating. It is a scary thing, how our world continues to be put online. Soon, there will be no need to go to school, the doctors, or music lessons--nearly EVERYTHING will be available online. It already is. Is the next generation going to spend their lives communicating, socializing, and networking solely through social media? Or will there still be a need for traditional media? It's scary to think what could happen to peoples talents if all efforts were out towards online media, rather than traditional. As more and more social media sites become popular the more traditional media is put on the back burner.