"Selfie-Love": Are We Addicted To Social Media?

By: April D. Byrd

"looks like the first lady just wasn't having it!"

So, Roberto Schmidt the photographer that took the selfie that blew up on the internet says "Pictures can lie"... "the first lady's stern look was captured by chance". I say it looks like the first lady just wasn't having it! Did she really make the President change seats? and Exactly how inappropriate are selfies at a funeral? In his AFP blog post, Schmidt also said that All around him were South Africans dancing, singing and laughing to honour their departed leader. "It was more like a carnival atmosphere, not at all morbid." and it was totally relaxed. 

Social Media has seriously magnified the popularity of selfies. Now we'll probably never be able to tell whether it's vanity or really some in depth form of art? We can learn a lot about ourselves through a self-portrait. Mashable even made a list and rated The 16 Best Selfies of 2013. Social media has definitely made us "selfie" obsessed! Where is the dividing line between Arrogance and Confidence? Surprisingly the most arrogant  Self-confident rapper Kanye West recently made an anti-selfie move. At his concert "Yeezy" wore a mask that covered his entire face. To his credit when a fan shouted for him to take it off. Kanye screamed "I'm Kanye motherf**king West." then had the woman escorted out of the concert.

 we hope the fan got a full refund!

The impact of fame or recognition can make people a bit crazy sometimes. Social Media has done just that. Instagram is continuously upgrading with videos and now direct messages. Facebook is expecting a new upgrade as well. How bad is Social media really making us? The Diagnostic and Statistical  Manual of Mental Disorders has now actually included Internet Addiction Disorder and listed it for further study. Psychologists fear that Internet and mobile technology contributes to "compulsive personality traits" and is related to ADHD and OCD. Newsweek printed that a third of smartphone users go online before getting out of bed. 

I can personally admit that I'm a social media fanatic. My obsession even led to an internship. It's easy to get lost in social media world because those instant "likes" can make us feel like we're actually getting something done. However, It can be an effective tool, if we use it right. So I monitor relentlessly and hash-tag my heart out, all the while getting distracted by some other post in the process. Despite all the reports and statistics, Social Media is not all bad, it does give exposure. Without it I never would've started a magazine or met my she-ro Trey Anthony. In the instance that we do have something meaningful or interesting to say, it serves as a great platform. So by all means, Let the digital fun and discourse continue. 

What do you think of the Kanye and the President's behavior?  Do you consider yourself addicted to "selfies" and  Social Media?...how many hours a day are you on for business or personal reasons?
Share  and comment below.

April D. Byrd is a Writer, Founder of BOLD Journal online magazine and resident Social Media Blogger for Trey Anthony Studios. Send your feedback via social, you can catch her on Facebook and on Twitter/Instagram: @aprilinspired.

The Work Isn't Over Yet! President Obama Wins Second Term of Presidential Election

I have to say how happy I am that Obama has won a second term in office. Congrats Mr. President!! The United states would have been a very different place if Romney had gotten the title, and to that I am thankful. If he had won, I may have had to pack up my bags and moved back to Canada!

A huge portion of America breathed a collective sigh of relief when the news was announced last night. I do not know if there has ever been such a divide and mark of an important decision between rich and poor in previous elections. Many people celebrated the opportunity for forward movement while others were simply at awe that a black man had won not one but TWO terms as the President of the United States.

But before we all get caught in our victory bliss, we must remember that there is so much more that needs to be done and that America needs to demand from the president. His win is not the last span of the fight against the Other. This is a call to action for more Americans to remain just as charged as they were about getting him into office. I think that all of the grassroots style campaigning, celebrity endorsements and overall proactive action needs to continue for the next 4 years. Often times once a politician is elected, the country sits back as if their job is done and the President must take it from there. The reality is that although I believe Barack tried his absolute best to do what he could over the past 4 years, there are still plenty of issues that need to be addressed and millions of Americans who are suffering and go unnoticed. If everyone remains as charged up as we are now and stay engaged about policies, then beautiful change can be made.

Voting is not the final step in making your voice heard. I saw plenty of "I got Obama's back" tweets and status' throughout the election but let's hope that America continues to actively stand behind The President.

Here's to 4 more years!

What are some important issues that you feel Barack needs to address in his new term? Leave a comment below.

Debates are over but the hilarious election spoofs have just begun

So the last election debate is finally over and a lot of people are glad to see them go. I don’t know what you all thought of the debates but one of my favourite things about this election has to be all the hilarious spoof videos being made!

Comedians love to make fun of politicians, and they are also ecstatic to have “quotable” comedians. Well, this election has two really different personalities, both with pretty distinct mannerisms that make for some great comedy material!

Some of my favourite videos have been those by Key and Peele (Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele), two former MadTV comics who have a new sketch comedy show. Have you guys had a chance to check out the show or any of their videos?

I also really like the Epic Rap Battles debates – these are worth checking out for the Obama impersonation alone!

Check out two great election spoof videos here, and let me know what you think. 

Three lessons that Barack Obama can teach us

Have you all been following the presidential race in the US? I was thinking about the reaction that people had to the first debate and I realized that there are a few lessons that many of us could stand to learn from Obama. Here are three:

1.    It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. At the first debate Obama was more direct than     Mitt Romney. He answered the questions that were asked and he was honest. But that isn’t what most people noticed. The majority of feedback has been that Obama came across as passive and disinterested. In fact, his strategy going into the second debate was to come across as more passionate. This principle is true in most things in life – whether you are auditioning for a part, giving a speech to a large audience or pitching an idea to a funder, the delivery is just as important as the message itself.  

2.    You get more than one chance to make an impression. Although after the first debate Obama’s numbers began to dip, rather than give up Obama and his campaign team immediately began preparing for the next debate. This is an important lesson for many of us because it is easy to think that we have “blown” it when something doesn’t go our way the first time. It’s also easy to quit and walk away. But it is the ability to make a successful comeback that separates the successful few from those who shoulda/woulda/coulda.

3.    Take nothing for granted. Going into the first debate many people dismissed the idea that Romney would come away the winner. They were convinced that Obama was a better speaker and had more experience in this setting. Clearly, they were wrong. Obama learned his lesson and prepared better for the second debate. It’s important for us to realize that even when we think we have something wrapped up we should always over prepare and never, ever underestimate anyone!

Did you learn anything else from the debates, from either candidate? If so, be sure to comment below and let me know!

I am really enjoying these debates but I’m even more excited about this Saturday’s workshop where we will talk about some of the above, as well as many other tips and life lessons to create and attract success. Only 3 days left to get your ticket! Click here to buy tickets today.      

Samuel L Jackson's new video: Wake the F**k up!

I just saw this new video that was released today and I had to share it! It stars Samuel L. Jackson but it’s actually a political campaign ad in support of President Obama…and it’s not like any other political ad ever before!

So some of you probably heard about the book “Go the F**k Sleep” which Jackson narrated in an audio version last year. If you haven’t heard it it's a satire of a children's book that uses a combination of rhyming sentences and cursing to say what many tired parents probably think when dealing with a fussy child at bedtime. Well, this latest video is a play on that audio except that this video encourages Obama’s supporters to get out and vote.

It's interesting to see that US presidential campaigns have gone so mainstream and in fact, many would argue that this was one of the strengths of Obama's 2008 campaign. That campaign really managed to reach out to people that wouldn’t normally vote or donate money to politics. So maybe this video is an attempt to recapture that fresh feel that has been a bit harder for him to come by this time around. 

It’s obvious that this ad is aimed at all those people who voted for Obama last time, but who haven’t been as involved this time around. With the election in 39 days the campaigns are getting heated and both parties are working hard to get the attention of voters and supporters. So do you think that this video is going to work at getting people out to vote?

Samuel L. Jackson plays his part so well…he’s the perfect fit for the part and he’s a pretty vocal Obama supporter. It’s pretty funny and it’s definitely the most interesting political ad I’ve seen in a long time! What do you all think? Check it out here and let me know what you think!

Michelle Obama's 2012 DNC Speech

What a speech made by Michelle Obama last night .

There were so many quotable moments throughout her entire speech.  For a woman who wanted to stay away from the political limelight, she sure is making her presence known over the last 4 years and especially last night at the convention.  She painted President Obama in a light that we (the public) never see.  She made mention of their early years, where they had nothing but love and a dream.   She talked about her husband pulling his favorite table out of the trash and wearing shoes that are a size too small when they didn't have much.  These stories makes him seem more 'real' (whether you think he fits the title of president is besides the point.)

Let's face it, no matter who is elected, they have huge shoes to fill and years upon years of misguided choices to repair, but there is something about our current first family that is electric.

She said something in her speech that really stood out to me:

"Today, after so many struggles and triumphs and moments that have tested my husband in ways I never could have imagined, I have seen firsthand that being president doesn't change who you are – it reveals who you are." 

It's so true.  Being in the spotlight only exaggerates whatever you have inside of you.  Your character is on display for all to see under a microscope.  And President Obama has been thoroughly tested.  It's never easy being the first to do something.  And as the first Black President he had a lot weighing on his shoulders. But I think he stayed true to who he was and is.

I don't know if he'll get re-elected for another term.  But I think he needs to be, because there is no way anyone could have made the amount of change people expected of him in that short period of time.

I would love to hear your thoughts about her speech and what you think it means to the presidential election.
Please refrain from attacking any presidential candidate on a personal level.  But instead lets talk about the issues at hand and start a meaningful dialogue.


In case you missed it, here's a video clip of her speech.

Also, Ebony.com has transcribed her speech and you can read it here:

 Michelle Obama's Speech Transcribed