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Social Media Mayhem

Social Media Mayhem

by | Aug 29, 2023 | Buzz, September 2023

Social platforms need to stay in their lanes.

Social media is going haywire. From the launch of Threads (which saw a steep decline in engagement shortly after its debut) to Twitter’s recent rebrand under Elon Musk (bye-bye, birdie) and TikTok’s new text post feature, it’s almost impossible to keep up with the ever-shifting social media landscape. In short, comparison appears to be the name of the game—and everybody’s a copycat. 

Snapchat’s schtick has always been disappearing pictures and stories; then Instagram adopted its own daylong stories feature. TikTok built its video-based platform off the back of now-defunct Vine (#RIP), and Instagram added video reels. Meanwhile, Threads is essentially Twitter’s (er, X’s) fraternal twin (but may see only 15 minutes of fame); TikTok’s latest text feature is eerily similar to the Threads/X format—and the list goes on. (Don’t even get us started on BeReal). But, hey, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? Here, who’s running the show between the social media titans attempting takeovers of each other. … That is so Meta?

PlatformOG IntentTarget Audience
+ Demographics		Added or
Upcoming Features
InstagramPhoto sharingMillennials/Gen ZVideo sharing, reels, shopping, IGTV, live video, 24-hour stories
Twitter (X) Short message sharingBusiness-to-business, now also used to share personal thoughtsExtended character limit, X Blue, an edit feature, Notes (longform tweets), “unmentioning”—and eventually Musk plans for X to be an “everything app”
ThreadsShort message sharingTo compete with TwitterHashtags, messaging, web interface, following tab
FacebookShare personal info, pics + updatesOriginally designed for college students, now used by BoomersNew photo/video features, live video, stories, event sharing, groups, Marketplace
TikTokVideo sharingZennials, Gen Z, AlphaText posts, TikTok stories, direct messaging
Taking the Temp

Taking the Temp

by | Aug 29, 2023 | Buzz, September 2023

What’s Hot & What’s Not

  • That’s show biz, baby! For the second year running, NC nabbed recognition from CNBC as America’s Top State for Business. 
  • Time to root through your junk drawer! A first-gen iPhone sold at auction for ~$190,000. (But did they keep the original box though…?)
  • Heads up, college applicants. Through Common App, schools will have the option to hide students’ race and ethnicity information on applications.
  • The FDA made two big Rx moves, approving an over-the-counter birth control pill and a novel Alzheimer’s drug.
  • Kratom kills? But who’s to blame? The American Kratom Association implores the FDA to regulate the supplement in response to wrongful death lawsuits.
  • Hot news (literally): The Sriracha shortage is real, mainly due to supply chain issues and drought conditions in Mexico. Desperate for a bottle? It’s gonna cost you—think ~$70 on eBay (!). 
  • Scammer alert: In 2022 alone, a record $10.3 billion was stolen in the U.S., up from $6.9 billion in 2021, with NC losing a hot $175 mill.
  • 2022 was a deadly year for pedestrians. Drivers killed ~7,000 people countrywide—the highest number of pedestrian-related deaths since 1981—with ~30 of those occurring in Raleigh.