By Stephanie Doctrow, RP Staff, on Fri Jun 10, 2011 at 12:00 PM ET  On the night of June 3, Indiana University student Lauren Spierer went missing. The 20-year-old left a local sports bar, and never made it back to her apartment just blocks away. Lauren, a New York native, has a life-threatening heart condition called Long QT Syndrome that can be fatal without medication. The search for Lauren is still ongoing, but thanks to the power of social media, people all over the country are getting involved and spreading the word.
The news of Lauren’s disappearance shook the entire IU campus. Even though my friends and I don’t know Lauren personally, we’re all Hoosiers– the same thing could have happened to us. So my friends at the School of Journalism did what they do best: they started reporting. The Indiana Daily Student website provides constant updates on the search for Lauren, both for the Bloomington community and for those of us who are too far away to help in person.
But something even bigger happened– Facebook and Twitter feeds exploded within hours with information about when and where Lauren was last seen, what she was wearing, and what people could do to help. Lauren’s friends started a Facebook page to spread information across the country, which now has more than 26,000 members.
Twitter, which many considered to be a passing fad, has become one of the leading sources of up-to-date information about the search. The @NewsOnLaurenS Twitter account has more than 12,000 followers across the country, as of Wednesday. The page tweets updates each time the police releases new information. The account also tweets information about the meeting time and location of volunteer search parties. Thanks to national exposure, Wednesday’s search party had more than 250 volunteers. #FindLauren is a trending topic on Twitter, and celebrities like Zooey Deschanel and Ryan Seacrest have used their star power to spread the word.
The national exposure that social media provides ensures that people across the country will get involved in the search for Lauren, whether they’re donating their time, money, or awareness. This sad occurrence also proves that Twitter doesn’t just perpetuate fake scandals like Weinergate, it can serve a bigger purpose: keeping people informed and united in times of trouble.
It’s important to keep spreading the word, and more importantly, to help. If you’re near Bloomington, follow @NewsOnLaurenS for information about search parties each day. Or, you can go to the IU Hillel website to donate money to the search committee. If you have tips, call the Bloomington Police Department at 812-339-4477.
By RP Staff, on Fri Jun 10, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
This Sunday, June 12th, is the 44th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia, the United States Supreme Court’s decision that struck down laws forbidding interracial marriage. Unbelievably, that’s forty-four more years that gay men and women have been legally denied the basic human right of marrying the person they love. Just before her death four year years ago, Mildred Loving released a statement in support of the rights of our gay friends, family, neighbors and colleagues to marry the person whom they choose. Where do you stand? [American Foundation for Equal Rights]
In a hint that modernity is at least creeping along in the US cultural landscape, a Catholic bishop in San Joaquin, California, has informed the clergy there that they may “perform blessings of same-gender civil marriages, domestic partnerships and relationships which are lifelong committed relationships characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect [and] careful, honest communication.” However positive this step is, perhaps the good bishop should lower his expectations of the whole relationship thing a bit? Geez! Remember: progress, not perfection. [The Guardian]
A recent infographic released by Online Dating University (We Will Teach You How to Get Laid) looks at how Facebook affects you and your relationships. Are one of the 31% of FB users that changed their relationship status to “single” over the last year? Interesting just how intertwined many of our lives have become with Facebook and what a boon it is to sociologists and researchers! [The Atlantic]
Finally, absolutely barmy to see Paul, Yoko, Sean, Dani and Olivia together to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Cirque de Soleil’s The Beatles Love. Check out the photos [here. Las Vegas Sun]
By Zack Adams, RP Staff, on Thu Jun 9, 2011 at 3:00 PM ET
Do you recall the tale of the tortoise and the hare? Believe it or not that can be applied to modern NASCAR. It is not always the most dominant or fastest car and driver that wins. Sometimes it is the team that best manages fuel. [All Left Turns]
Carl Edwards is back on top of ESPN’s NASCAR power rankings this week. Dale Jr., Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, and Matt Kenseth round out the top five. [ESPN]
This week Jalopnik counts down the top ten 16-bit cars. [Jalopnik]
As with many things in popular culture the fly-by performed by a jet was introduced by Tom Cruise’s character Maverick in the movie Top Gun. I don’t know who the pilot in these videos is, but what I do know they are terrifying (and pretty awesome). [Jalopnik]
By RP Staff, on Thu Jun 9, 2011 at 1:30 PM ET
- The Politics of Immigration
Agree with its premise or not, this Bloomberg editorial concisely sums up the upheaval currently going on in immigration policy. The RP predicts that immigration will, yet again, be a huge issue in the 2012 presidential election. Bloomberg
The RP heard this story this week on NPR. A very interesting piece on a young Yemeni woman that spent a year in the United States and turned her lens on us to document “the lives of American women [her] age and to compare and contrast (them) with the lives of Yemeni
young women.” Read, listen, learn. Yemeni Photographer Turns Her Lens On The West
The RP has referenced the DREAM Act a number of times in The Politics of Immigration. Here’s a video project in search of funding that puts faces and stories to the tragedy of young men and women brought to this country by their families,
educated and socialized as Americans, then unable as young adults to attend college or find gainful employment because of their immigration status. Kickstarter
Check out one more video from Kickstarter and learn more about their work and how you can support it. Arizona and the End of FiveCenturies of Immigration
By Grant Smith, RP Staff, on Thu Jun 9, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
“30 Rock” star Alec Baldwin contemplates a run for Mayor of New York City. [The Daily]
Another [U.S. Rep.] “Weiner Sexter” emerges. [Las Vegas Sun]
When the oldest profession meets the second oldest profession: porn stars running for office. [MSNBC]
A warm sports story worth reading about: Texas Rangers draft paralyzed outfielder Johnathan Taylor. [NBC Sports]
By Zack Adams, RP Staff, on Wed Jun 8, 2011 at 3:00 PM ET
The U.K.’s version of America’s Next Top Model allowed fans to vote on their website for who they want to see as contests during the next season. All I have to say in regards to the person holding down the #1 spot in fan voting is “Go, Roland, go!” [next.uk]
Logical Thinking [comic]
Nice try, bro. [.gif]
So that’s how it works! I guess you really do learn something new every day! [picture]
Success is apparently relative. [picture]
By Stephanie Doctrow, RP Staff, on Wed Jun 8, 2011 at 1:30 PM ET In Key Largo, Florida, three pilot whales may be stranded on the shore but they’re not alone. [NY Times]
The economy may be on its way back up, but couponing lives on as a not only practical, but also a hip option for consumers. [Time]
Remember Elizabeth Smart? She took her life back, and is now serving as a missionary and children’s advocate. [Newsweek]
Here’s a little something to pep up your day. Even though The Script has been on the music scene for awhile, this song never fails to make your day better. [YouTube]
By Robert Kahne, RP Staff, on Wed Jun 8, 2011 at 10:39 AM ET
I started watching the NBA in earnest back in 2004, when the Detroit Pistons defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in one of the most classic NBA Finals in history. That year, Shaq and Kobe were joined by Karl Malone and Gary Peyton in hopes that the two aging stars could vault them back to finals glory. It almost worked, but they ran into the tough defense of the Larry Brown coached Pistons. In stark contrast to the hodgepodge Lakers, the Pistons had a solid core of a team–Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Price, Ben Wallace, and Rasheed Wallace. That Pistons team was fun. They were hard working, defensive minded, and represented all that was good about basketball. I remember many people reveling in the failure of the hot shot Lakers and enjoying the success of the plucky Pistons.
This year’s NBA Finals feature the Miami Heat, who remind me quite a bit of both teams from the 2004 NBA Finals. As any hoop-head will tell you, this Miami team features LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh; three men who came together in the offseason and acted quite foolishly, claiming they would win multiple titles with the three of them at the helm. Like the 04 Lakers, the Heat stumbled a bit in the regular season, and many wondered if these players coming together was a mistake. When the playoffs started in both 2004 and this year, the teams really kicked in. In the run up to the Finals, the Heat lost all of three games–one in each playoff series. The 04 Lakers, likewise, only lost five games before the Finals. Both the 2004 Lakers and the 2011 Heat have a lot in common–superstars, playoff mastery, and most importantly, general disdain from the populace.
Indeed, many people hate the Heat. Maybe for the way in which LeBron James left the Cavaliers, perhaps because of
This pep rally was a stupid Decision. “The Decision” or the introductory press conference, or maybe just because fans do not approve of a consolidation of talent. For whatever reason, people don’t like this Heat team. However, all the reasons I fell in love with the 2004 Pistons are present with this Miami Heat team. The Pistons had great defense and great chemistry. The Heat have both of those–LeBron James and Udonis Haslem have really stepped their defense up in the Finals, and this team really seems to enjoy playing together.
 The Other Guys. While it may be in vogue for people to root against the Heat, for whatever reason, I don’t. I think too often our culture builds stars up, just to tear them back down. I reject that. This Heat team is full of great players, and I wish them success. However, the other side has their share of great stories also–Dirk Nowitzki playing for a title, Jason Kidd being in contention for a ring again, after so many near misses. Whoever you choose to support, the Finals have been great entertainment. I can’t wait for Game 5. You really should tune in.
By Stephanie Doctrow, RP Staff, on Tue Jun 7, 2011 at 2:15 PM ET French radio and television anchors are no longer allowed to say “Facebook and Twitter” on-air during their broadcasts. Is the United States next? Nah… [Time]
YouTube still rules the online video universe, but a startup company from Chicago is trying to carve a place for itself in social media. [NY Times]
A writer at Good Magazine responds to an age-old question in journalism: If a reporter sees someone in trouble, should they remain impartial or try to get involved? [Good Magazine]
Girl power! What Jill Abramson’s appointment as executive editor of the New York Times, the first female in the position, could mean for women in journalism: [Poynter]
CBS is taking its Weinergate coverage to the next level: tracking down the man who does the congressman’s laundry. [NY Magazine]
By Kristen Hamilton, RP Staff, on Tue Jun 7, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET Inspired by Michelle Obama’s simple but sophisticated black Ralph Lauren gown that she donned in her recent visit to England (and how can I forget about the breathtaking white Tom Ford gown – oh my gosh!), I was moved to write about one of the most strenuous responsibilities that come with being the First Lady: being fashionable. It may sound vain, but America has an obsession with the First Lady’s wardrobe. Don’t believe me?
Read the rest of…
The Politics of Fashion: The Pressure of Being the First Lady AND a Fashion Icon
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The Recovering Politician Bookstore
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On the night of June 3, Indiana University student Lauren Spierer went missing. The 20-year-old left a local sports bar, and never made it back to her apartment just blocks away. Lauren, a New York native, has a life-threatening heart condition called Long QT Syndrome that can be fatal without medication. The search for Lauren is still ongoing, but thanks to the power of social media, people all over the country are getting involved and spreading the word.
