The first X Factor suicide?

It’s nearly that time of year again, when we all start casually cancelling our weekend plans, and staying in, rather than going out as YES, X Factor time will soon be upon us!!  (I realise that maybe it’s just me who cancels their plans….loser.)

However, this one story troubled me and I thought I should share it with you:

“An X Factor contestant has reportedly threatened to kill herself after failing an audition for the show.”

Dear. Lord. Apparently, after getting four no’s from the judges, the woman in her 50s ran out screaming she was going to ‘kill herself’. Producers were reportedly still with the woman an hour and a half after she made the threat, making sure she was ok.

Now don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t realise something like the X Factor could cause someone that much stress! I know you get your regular sob stories, and I’m not afraid to admit I get sucked in by them too – in fact, I love them. Even more worryingly, after the SuBo fiasco, this is the first year that the show’s producers have decided to have a doctor at the auditions, ‘just in case’.

I can see that shows like this are ‘make or break’ for someone, if it’s their dream. But suicide – seriously??

Can social media organise real life events?

 

I was watching The Gadget Show on Channel 5 the other day. One of the features on this particular episode was pitting site du jour Twitter up against long standing fave Facebook, and sought to answer which was the best tool to use to organise an event.

 

On a personal level, I use Twitter to keep up to date with journalists and other PRs I respect, as well as finding out daily news as and when it happens. I use Facebook for staying in touch with my friends and family who I don’t get to see very often.

Bradbury rallies the troops...

But is it realistic to use social media to organise real life, actual events? I’d like to tentatively suggest no – for the following reasons:

1. Lack of RSVPs – if you’re a hardcore party planner such as myself, you want to know exact numbers. Although Facebook says when friend have “confirmed to be attending”, and sites likes Twtvite are popping up on Twitter, there’s just not the same effort involved as actually replying to an RVSP.
2. Lack of commitment – sure, you say you’re coming, but if you actually turn up or not is a whole different kettle of fish.
3. Reliability – things can go wrong on sites – the wrong date or time can be posted and go unmissed, thus ruining the entire event! I’ve been there, done that but didn’t even get the T-shirt.

Of course there have been very successful events via social networks – this year’s Twestival is just one example. And we can hardly forget about the ‘the biggest water fight’ organised by Facebook in Leeds last year – which was promptly shut down by police.

Speaking to my friend Mike (@litmanlive), he had this to say about the Gadget Show event:

What fascinated me about this was over 200 people attended on the Twitter side vs a small handful in support of Facebook. 200+ people who read one of @jasonbradbury’s tweets online and made a pledge to attend an event offline during their lunch hour for which they knew very little about. The on and offline worlds transcended into one and it was actually quite exciting to be a part of. Do I think social media can be used for greater good? Without a doubt. Meaningful, thought provoking and engaging communications ala this, twestival, the digital red nose online recently for comic relief or any of the whole host of meetups, tweetups, or anything it seems that ends in -ups = WIN. 

So there we have it. A self confessed geek (his words, not mine) who thinks social media can organise real life events. And as for me – I think it’s a good starting point, but I’ll need a little more convincing.

Thin enough? Sure. Catchy enough? Not sure.

Whilst casually browsing the internet today I stumbled upon this gem of a story: Sony using a ‘plus-size model’ to advertise the thinnest LCD TV ever.

Ian Morris from CNET, has highlighted the irony of using Katie Green,  who ‘famously’ refused to lose weight when her agents told her it would beneficial to her career, and I have to say I agree with him.

Ignoring the TV, which I admit does look rather fabulous, I can’t help but wonder who came up with the idea of using the ‘Thin Enough?’ campaign. I can’t say it’s the most original advert I’ve ever seen.

Surely it’s going back to the ‘sex sells’ angle – which Sony clearly think is the case in this instance. Maybe this advert will appeal to men in the first instance, purely because it features a half naked, gorgeous woman – who looks remarkably thin, I might add. But as for reeling in women – a notoriously hard market to captivate in technology – a picture of a semi naked woman isn’t going to cut it.