“Social media” on The Daily Caller

Yes. And no. (more)

Movies have the power to make us laugh, cry, get mad, feel inspired, identify with others, and cross cultural barriers. But while movies can provide an emotional escape, movies also have a power that goes far beyond simple entertainment; they have a significant social and cultural impact. (more)

In 2006, Democrats rode a wave of discontent with the Iraq War and the Bush administration’s Katrina response to a resounding, power-shifting victory. Republicans were demoralized, disorganized and rudderless, and fundraising for many right-leaning causes plummeted. (more)

There’s no doubt that 2008 Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul of Texas has some dedicated followers, and they’re especially ambitious in using the Internet to spread their message. (more)

For years, newspapers have struggled to cope with the challenges of the Internet age: declining print circulations, the evaporation of the market for personal ads, and advertisers’ gradual shift from print to online media. But that may be about to change, because The New York Times has finally found a solution to the newspaper industry’s troubles: preying on the guilt and ignorance of loyal readers. (more)

Democrats are hoping they’ve found a secret weapon for winning back the House in 2012: Twitter. (more)

Internet company AOL Inc. said Twitter Co-Founder Biz Stone will become a “social impact” strategic adviser for the company, as part of its broader integration with online news site the Huffington Post. (more)

For Wisconsin voters on both sides of the aisle, it’s senatorial hunting season, and thanks to the organizing power of social media, it may be like shooting fish in a barrel. Embroiled in the state’s budget controversy, all 16 senators vulnerable to the state’s recall laws have had petitions launched against them. (more)

“Late Show” host David Letterman may be a more seasoned entertainer than pop sensation Justin Bieber, but he could learn a thing or two from the 16-year old. (more)

Dear Sarah Palin: (more)

According to a number of tips we’ve received in the past few minutes, the chatter on Twitter and several local reports (mostly in Arabic), it appears Egyptian authorities have moved to block Facebook. (more)

BERLIN — Facebook, facing potential fines for violating strict privacy laws in Germany, agreed on Monday to let users in the country better shield their e-mail contacts from unwanted advertisements and solicitations it sends. (more)

Twitter users will have to step up their game if they want to compete in MTV’s new online-only awards show. (more)

Should doctors be Facebook “friends” with their patients? Increasingly, professionals are stroking their beards and mulling the ethical ramifications (not to say potential for awkwardness) of such relationships. (more)

Keith, we need to talk. (more)

Facebook has added a facial recognition component that identifies your face in photographs and suggests who to tag in the image. Yes, Facebook knows who you are, even to the extend of knowing what you look like. (more)

“At this festive season of the year, it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute…Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts.” (more)

By now every observer of American politics is familiar with the phrase “Fire Nancy Pelosi,” especially the soon-to-be-former speaker herself. But even the wonkiest of political creatures will be surprised to learn how a software algorithm led to that meme entering the political landscape. What is bound to shock data-driven technology people is that many Republican insiders completely disagreed with the data, and thought that a campaign targeting Speaker Pelosi wouldn’t ignite public ire. This is the inside story of how Speaker Pelosi found herself the target of the brand of politics she has practiced for years, and how this may well be the year that consumer technologies chose a winning political message; it is also a warning tale to people in the public opinion and mobilization businesses. (more)

Every year around this time, holiday shoppers fret and fuss over what to get their friends and family, scouring websites and store shelves in a frantic search for the most fitting favors of the season. (more)

Popularity helps in politics, especially having “friends,” “followers” and people who “like” you. (more)