The Power of Social Media. Again.

Picture this: a female student at Georgetown Law School, already highly a highly accomplished advocate for women’s rights, speaks out in favor of mandated private insurance coverage for birth control, even by religious institutions. Sandra Fluke was testifying before congressional Democrats – not waving protest signs, not making a spectacle of herself, just speaking her mind, as our First Amendment allows her to do.

Enter one ultra conservative, controversial, and thin-line-walking  radio talk show host. Ignoring the basic facts, Rush Limbaugh proceeds with an angry, highly charged, personal attack on Fluke – calling her “slut” and “prostitute” among other names. All because she spoke out in favor of a particular policy supporting a woman’s reproductive choices.

Within minutes, news of Limbuaugh’s rant was all over Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites. As they had in the in other recent situations where women’s rights were under attack, feminists, activists, and others of both genders who felt compelled to get involved, blasted Limbaugh for his offensive and highly inappropriate comments. Protesters not only targeted him and urged that his show be shut down , but also targeted the advertisers – big names like AOL, ProFlowers, and Quicken Loans, among others.

It worked. As of Monday, 12 advertisers had pulled their spots and two radio stations had dumped the show.  Several more said they planned to do the same.

This almost instant response via social media to real or perceived threats to women’s rights should not be a surprise – not after the swift action taken against the Susan G. Koman Foundation when they pulled funding from Planned Parenthood  just a couple of months ago. Did Rush or his producers miss this story? Although Limbaugh did eventually apologize for his remarks, the damage has been done.. Maybe this controversial figure will pause before he spouts such distasteful comments and or puts his foot in it again. One can only hope it’s a lesson learned.

Love him or hate him, Rush Limbaugh has the same First Amendment right to speak his mind as Sandra Fluke, or you, or I do. However, there is a very clear line between expressing an opposing point of view, especially as a public figure, and calling a 30 year-old woman vile names for respectfully stating her opinion.

The world now moves in nanoseconds. No sooner had the comment been made then hashtags started appearing on the Twitter timeline, and petitions started making the rounds on Facebook. There are those out there that may still think social media is a passing phase. They underestimate its power at their own risk.

Picture this: a female student at Georgetown

Pew Internet gazes into the ‘crystal ball’ of today’s hyperconnected millennials

Barbara Glickstein is a boomer, co-Director of CHMP and loves the millennials.

The thing about predictions is – well, things like  Google, Twitter or Facebook come along. Who knew? I love the digital world and stay pretty connected myself. It helps living with two hyperconnected multitasking millennial  kids. I need to adapt and thrive digitally to stay relevant.

In the ancient past, when I wasn’t texting, I’d call my kid’s mobile phones, they’d never pick up and I’d leave a voice message. The following would then happen:

My mobile phone would ring, I’d answer it, and they’d say,  “hey, what’s up ?”

Me: “Oh I left you a voice message.”

Them: ” I didn’t listen to it – what’s up?”

Me: I’d repeat what I said on voice mail.

It took me a few times before I figured it out. Don’t leave a voice mail message. They showed me what a waste of time it was dialing into your phone’s voice mail – listening to it and then returning the call. Smart millenniums try not to waste time. This often leads them to being accused of desiring instant gratification. Sometimes that’s true but I think they’re on to something bigger.

I used to think that most work meetings could have been a memo. Now, I think they could have been a text message.

A Pew Internet/Elon University survey asked people to predict to the year 2020 and how this cohort will do with their hyperconnected lifestyles. Who knows what we’ll be calling it in 2020 but probably not hyperconnected. Read the report here.

I just signed up  to Pinterest. I’m not a millennial or early adaptor. But I try not to be too far behind from those leading the way.

Barbara Glickstein is a boomer, co-Director of