Category: Human interest

Would you pay to use Facebook?

22-Apr-10 17:18

This is an interesting question for millions of global users to ponder. I think the prospect of even paying a few pounds per month for a service that people are used to accessing for free would go down like a lead balloon. In fact, if this rumour turns out to be true then many Facebook users, including myself, wouldn't hesitate to simply delete their accounts and look for other ways of communicating with the outside world.

Understandably the social media site is looking for ways of generating additional revenue from its 400 million users worldwide, but it risks upsetting its contacts and losing them from its enviable database. Many of us have shared our personal thoughts, feelings, discussions and photos with friends and family on Facebook for many years and will be really disappointed to have to pay for it. However, maybe it was too good to be true for us to have access to such a collaborative and interactive site for free for so long and possibly it's only a matter of time before there's a cost associated with it, which will be a huge shame.

But, this is definitely a sign of the times as The Sunday Times and Times only announced last month that it too will charge the public to access its online material. More of us are using the internet to access information, read books, order goods and communicate, rather than read hard copy material, and organisations are obviously looking for ways to take advantage of this. Personally I wouldn't be surprised to see more businesses going down the same route in years to come.

Angela

Psychological breakthrough or publicity stunt?

29-May-09 17:10

I read that the Walkabout chain of bars has commissioned some research to find out whether the way you hold your glass says anything about your personality.
Apparently a FLIRT will hold her glass with dainty, splayed fingers and uses it in a provocative way.

A GOSSIP will hold her glass by the bowl and uses it to gesticulate and make points in conversation.
The FUN LOVER will take short swigs from bottled drinks so they don't miss out on chipping in with the conversation.
The WALLFLOWER is a shy, submissive person who holds the glass protectively, not letting go, as though afraid somebody will take it away.
The ICE QUEEN drinks from a wine glass, or a short glass, which is held firmly in a barrier position across the body so as to deter intimate approaches.
The PLAYBOY uses his, usually long, glass or bottle as a phallic prop, playing with it suggestively.
The JACK-THE-LAD can be territorial in his gestures, spreading himself over as much space as possible, for example, pushing the glass well away from himself and leaning back in his chair.
The BROWBEATER prefers large glasses, or bottles, which he uses as symbolic weapons, firmly grasped, and gesticulating in a threatening, "in the face" kind of way.

Whilst it is an entertaining read and one that I will try and confirm this weekend over a few drinks with my friends, I am very sceptical about the validity of these claims; surely everyone displays some or all of these behaviours on different occasions? For example; if I was listening to a friend and in deep concentration then I may clutch my glass so that no one else could knock into me and spill it. Would this make me a wallflower? I don't think my friends could vouch for that analysis!

Either way the story is a great piece of PR for the Walkabout chain and goes to show that research, no matter how in depth, can gain fantastic coverage in the national newspapers and even the homepage of BBC news' website!

Louise