With the invention of online networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Wikepedia, and YouTube, people has become much more exposed to information. This information can range from what your next door neighbor is having for dinner to how the Bank of America stocks are performing. This knowledge has become instantaneous and is updated every second of the day. There are pros and cons to having unlimited information at your fingertips. However, in the case of natural disasters or tradgedies, it is human nature to reach out a hand and help. For some, help comes in the shape of websites, blogs, and emails.
On April 16th, 2007, a tradgedy occurred on the Virginia Tech campus the gained national attention. The United States as a whole was in complete schock that a student would enter an academic building one day and decided to kill 33 people. However, the nation didn't just sit around and observe as the investigators and media got involved. Everyone got involved in the situation; not necessarily involved in the investigation, however, intangled in social networking organizations to discuss the massacre, help distribute information, and find and talk to more sympathizers and/or victims.
A Facebook search for "Virginia Tech Massacre" queries more than 500 different groups. A few of the names of groups include: "Praying for VT"; "A Hokie Nation"; and "All will be missed -VA Tech: April 16, 2007." All three of those groups have over a thousand members, which translates to: when a disaster happens, people band together. These groups were used two years ago to pray and vent emotions. Today, these groups still exsist, but as memorials, more or less.
Facebook is not the only interface used to spread word about the massacre. Wikipedia was used as an enormous resource for many people. The article titled "Virginia Tech massacre" did not spare any details about the incident. Over 100 sources were cited. Since Wikipedia is an free-sharing network, anyone can post information about anything. In the case of the Virginia Tech shootings, it is obvious that many people joined in on sharing information.
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