The Internet has changed everything -- just ask a video store clerk or ink stained newspaper reporter -- but most would argue it has changed things for the better, especially with mass communication.
Internet petition sites make it cookie-cutter simple to promote a cause, and crowd funding sites make it simple for entrepreneurs to raise money for their projects. The recent success of Food For Thought Books raising over $40,000 is a shining example. Although "Homeless In A College Town" did not fare quite as well, raising only $7,511 out of a $20,000 goal.
And for a while there we had dueling petition on MoveOn.org over the controversial nut ban at Amherst Regional Public Schools. The petition opposing the ban has since been deleted but probably had around 100 signatures prior to termination and the supporting petition now has 172 signatures but no activity since well before Christmas.
And the majority of signatures are from outside over enlightened Amherst.
Cinda Jones petition to entice South Amherst's Atkins Farms Country Market garnered over 350 signatures promising undying loyalty to a satellite operation at the new Trolley Barn in North Amherst.
Trolley Barn, North Amherst
All to no avail as Pauline Lannon, Atkins co-owner recently responded to the public suggestion box saying "We need to put our energy and resources into this store."
Atkins Farms Country Market, South Amherst
Twitter is a great resource for instant news all of the time, although broadcasting is so simple it sometimes gets folks in trouble.
Last week the bricks and mortar media (who should know better) made an issue of Northampton Mayor Narkewicz tweeting positive things about potential jury duty service as he was reporting for potential jury service (but before the judge said the shut off your damn smart phones) and again after he -- like a lot of potential jurors -- was dismissed from duty.
reporting for jury duty at the Hampshire County Courthouse
— David Narkewicz (@MayorNarkewicz) January 8, 2014
Mark Whipple has yet to be introduced as the new UMass football head coach and already his Twitter account has over 650 followers, compared to Chancellor Subbaswamy, who has 938 followers, but has been on Twitter for over a year.Folks in Amherst hope he has lots of positive things to tweet in the near future.
Update 2:40 PM. Coach Whipple now has over 1,150 followers