Baby killed after crying during mother's Facebook session

While scanning through Twitter, earlier this week, I came across a tweet from NowPublic that read "Alexandra Tobias Guilty of Killing Son Who Interrupted Farmville."  After reading this tweet I clicked the link and continued to read more on the story, where I was shocked to find that "Alexandra Tobias, 22, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after shaking her three month old baby Dylan Lee Edmondson to death."  In the another article from CBS News, it mentions that she became very angry with her son, because he was crying while she was playing Farmville, causing her to shake him.  After doing so, she then decided to go outside for a little break, smoke a cigarette while composing herself, later returning inside, to shake her child again, while possibly hitting his head and killing him.  Alexandra pleaded guilty on Wednesday, currently remains in jail and will be sentenced in December.  State guidelines call for 25-50 years, while her prosecutor said it could be shorter.

I personally am not a Farmville player, I do know people whom are avid players on, while the other hand I know some who just play when their bored.  But to think that while playing this game you could get so angry from your own child that you would go so far as to killing him, seems a bit insane.  Although I  don't want to judge by the picture above, I'm sorry but I just have to...she looks crazy.  I hope that serves her full 50 years, because killing your child because he/she is interrupting your Farmville/Facebook session is absolutely ridiculous. 


If there are any Farmville users out there reading this, I hope that the next time you play; be sure to take a break, calm down and let your farm animals eat. 

The Common Blue Theme

Do you know know why most Social Network Sites are blue?
For example: Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Tumblr, Flickr, Digg, FourSquare and more.

A little unknown fact about Mark Zukerberg, after reading the article, The Face of Facebook, I found that the reason why Facebook is blue is because the founder Zukerberg is red-green color blind, causing blue to be the only color he can see.  He said, "blue is the richest color for me - I can see all of blue."  But is there a connection as to why all of the other Social Network sites are blue or is is just a common theme?

Studies have shown that because much of the world is blue (skies, seas), seeing the color blue causes the body to produce chemicals that are calming; but that isn't true for all shades of blue. Over the ages blue has become associated with steadfastness, dependability, wisdom and loyalty. People tend to be more productive in a blue room because they are calm and focused on the task at hand. Some other studies are showing that weight lifters can lift more weight in a blue gym - in fact, nearly all sports are enhanced in blue surroundings.


Did you know any of this, because I didn't. After reading about the studies found I began to think if this was possible or true. When connecting the studies found and how most of the Social Network sites are blue, do you think the designers do this to make the users more focused and productive when on their sites? Which could then cause them to get more users, or is it just a coincidence that blue is the common theme.

What if your Facebook friend was a federal agent?

Earlier this week I found an article about the concern for Facebook's users whom could possibly be friends with Federal Agents and not know it.  More specifically the concern that these agents are using their Facebook friendship as a tool for spying. I think the bigger concern should be that Federal Agents are not the only ones spying, it was found that Government could even be using their privileges to spy. In another article, someone commented on how the Government is not only using Facebook, but also Twitter, Myspace, Craigslist and Wikipedia.

How would you feel if you found out that one of your actual friends or even just one of your "Facebook Friends" was using the information you post against you. Would you be upset?  While, I know I have nothing specific to hide, I still believe that there should be a thicker line on privacy from the government. Or do you believe this is a good thing, as it could possibly help the country and our safety?

The uses and abuses of virtual grief

Earlier this week we discussed, "What happens to your Facebook after you die?"


Well after reading this article I decided to try it it out. I located the Terms and Conditions page, which then brought me to the Copyright page, which then directed me to the Help Center Page. I then searched "death" in the "what can we help you with?" box, here is what I found..

I found this to be very interesting, especially the first suggested Q&A, "I'd like to report a deceased user's account that is appearing in my Suggestions." Which is exactly what had happened to the woman, in one of our articles we read this week, and has probably happened to many of us before. 


I have found that the list of people that pop-up as "suggested friends" or "reconnect with" sometimes scares me. When seeing these profiles of friends that have passed is startling to think that although they have passed they still exist in the virtual world. While this may be the case for many of you, I instead begin to think think of the good memories I've shared with that person. Which brings me to the other side bar pop-up, "photo memories," this is sometimes refreshing to see old photos with friends and/or family.  On the other hand, it doesn't bring back those good memories, which then causes me to click the "X" button hoping it never pops up again.  

So I ask you now, what would you want done with your Facebook after you pass? As mentioned in the in the article I posted earlier, the writer jokingly suggests "you might want to put this in your will or something, if you have one."  

It's weird to think that this could be something we will have to do in the near future...

"The quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others."

Define privacy according to society today... 

If you were to think about it at this very moment, you probably wouldn't be able to come up with a solid definition.  Because if you're really thinking about this, nothing in the world today is private, but according to the dictionary privacy is defined as "the quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others."  

Earlier this week we discussed the news on the Rutgers student Tyler Clementi, who committed suicide after his roommate allegedly streamed his gay tryst online using a Webcam and posted it live on the internet.  In response to this tragic video post, Tyler posted a goodbye message on his Facebook page, Sept. 22 at 8:42 p.m. which read, "Jumping off the gw bridge sorry."  The fact that his goodbye message was posted as his Facebook status for all of his friends to see was something I could not believe. But in today's world, Facebook and other Social Network Sites are the new outlet to post such things. 

This month alone Tyler and a substantial amount of teens have committed suicide because they were either bullied, cyber-bullied and/or teased.  There have been many responses to this tragedy, but there was one which struck people the most.  Ellen DeGeneres' video post, in my opinion was the most sincere, not only was she deeply saddened but she knows how they feel.  If you haven't seen this video I highly recommend you do, below is a link to her response.  

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=592846987806&ref=mf