2011: Through the Eyes of Twitter

This year was filled with tumultuous moments to say the least. We witnessed some events in pop culture that will leave lasting memories throughout this decade. It wasn’t hard to stay current with the best and worst moments of 2011 if you had an active account on any social network, primarily Twitter. Twitter, a mobile social networking site originally created to rival Facebook in 2006 and to keep a group of friends connected through SMS messages. Throughout the years of existence and the introduction to the masses we have seen the site grow with over 300 million users. It has become the hub of communication for news media, business owners, celebrities, and for everyday people like you and me.
Through 140 characters we have been exposed to the miracles of Photoshop, death, divorce, beef, and a host of unwarranted music links. Users of the site also united to aid in charitable donations via RT, aid in the discovery of missing persons, and expressed their condolences during losses of public figures. Twitter is a form of entertainment in its own right. On any given day in 2011 a celebrity was killed off, relationships were tested, and sexual preferences were challenged. While some used the site to pass time at work, create a false identity, and practice idolatry (celebrities) many actually used the site to create awareness for their business or cause. Let’s face it 2011 was filled with unforgettable moments and we all jumped on Twitter to share our thoughts about each one. Who can forget the hash tag that changed the dynamics of Twitter #winning thanks to Charlie Sheen and his outlandish outburst after being booted from the hit show ,”Two and Half Men” everyone began to overly exude how they were winning. TweetTV, became a staple for award shows and reality TV programs in 2011. When production and television companies got wind of how users on Twitter were engaging in dialect about their show they had no other choice but to incorporate it in programming (Hence twitter chats and trending topics). When Beyonce announced her hip-hop royal bun in the oven she broke Twitter records with most tweets per second.
 There were also moments of controversy with the reminder of how inconsistent our judicial system is when the verdict for Casey Anthony was read many took to their Twitter page to express how they disagreed with the non-guilty verdict. The same feelings resonated with the execution of Troy Davis. Petitions to try and stop the execution were floating on many threads however it wasn’t enough to save the life of Troy Davis. In the sports world both the NFL and NBA lockouts were trending topics in which many voiced their opinions of what commissioners Roger Goddell and David Stern should do. While many users were tortured with tweets of possible mixtape releases and tweets period from unemployed athletes. In 2011 Americans were restored with hope of love through the union of the young British couple, Prince William and Kate Middleton. Too bad that hope dwindled when attention-seeking reality whore Kim Kardashian announced her marriage and divorce via twitter. The 72 day marriage sparked the trend #ThingsLongerThanKimKMarriage.
 Recently, visionary and businessman Steve Jobs passed away in which many people took to their twitter accounts to share just how important his contribution was to the digital age and the advancement of technology. Through the eyes of Twitter the year of 2011 was no short of comical, invigorating, and inspiring. With 2012 just around the corner we can only hold on to the memories and anticipate what 2012 will be like.

Notable Moments of 2011:
• Oprah ends the Oprah Show and starts the OWN network
• The Death of Osama Bin Laden
• Conrad Murray verdict
• Death of Amy Winehouse
• Death of Hip-Hop Legend Heavy D
• Scandals: Bishop Eddie Long and Jerry Sandusky
• Kat Stacks
• Gucci Mane ice cream face tattoo
• Justin Beiber, Baby Daddy?