Facebook

I'm interested in the cultural implications of managing social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn and particularly in ensuring that all cultures can participate in global learning platforms.

SOCIAL MEDIA: The internet is not turning us into social zombies, say trend watchers. Instead, hundreds of millions of people are using the virtual world to connect en masse with people in the real world.

SOCIAL NETWORK: It’s not the first time, and it probably won’t be the last. Waitress Ashley Johnson of Charlotte, North Carolina, has been fired for making negative comments about customers on the social networking site Facebook.

How do you market your tourist destination to target groups from different cultures? Do you stress facts or atmosphere? What convinces customers most and how do you persuade them to spend a few weeks of their precious time at your destination?

BUSINESS PLAN: The professors at Harvard Business School weren’t sure what to think about Will Dean’s idea. Dean was a finalist in the university’s Business Plan Contest. His idea? Attracting 500 people to run an 11-kilometre race that involved mud and burning obstacles.

Some products work only if others also have them. Economists call this phenomenon the "network effect" or "network externality". This is the subject of the 49th instalment of our Economics for Amateurs (EFA) series.

ONLINE BULLYING: British teachers say they are experiencing increasing levels of online bullying from pupils and parents. Pupils are setting up “hate networks” on social networking sites and posting videos of their classroom teachers on YouTube.

Too much exposure to something is often seen as negative, especially in the world of finance. In language learning, however, increased exposure is usually a positive thing.That's why we've set up a Facebook page for our fans!

CANADA: In just six months, a Facebook game called FarmVille has gained nearly 74 million users who use it every day worldwide. FarmVille is so popular that even real Canadian farmers are playing the social media game.