The Day The Music Died..... #OneDirection

Today's biggest social media story has a sad, sad tune.

It broke online earlier today, with a post on Facebook from mega-star band One Direction, announcing that member Zayn Malik was leaving the group.

Immediately, the hearts of a million girls worldwide tore apart, and social media went crazy.

Usually, if a story is SUPER popular it will take up one spot on Twitter's "Trending Topics".  It is a big deal to be a Twitter trending topic, as there are only 10 at any given moment.  Well, right now, Zayn's departure is the story on 4  trending topics in Los Angeles, and 2 of them WORLDWIDE.   The most popular sentiments include #AlwaysInOurHeartsZaynMalik and #ZaynWillAlwaysBeAPartOf1D.

These cries are reaching far beyond Twitter, though.  Of course, the original post on Facebook is blowing up, with over a half a MILLION likes and comments.  But it goes even deeper than that.  YouTube has been flooded with videos of fans crying and in hysterics, begging Zayn not to leave.  

He's still alive, people!! Zayn claimed that he wants to be able to "relax and have some private time out of the spotlight." Right, just like any other normal 22-year old guy.  Except with a hoard of devastated fans in his wake.  

Think Zayn's dreams of normalcy will ever happen?  What are your thoughts on Zayn's departure?

Miley: Love It, Hate It or Laugh!

"We can't stop.  We won't stop!"

Yes, these are the lyrics to the hit Miley Cyrus preformed last weekend on the VMAs, but they might as well be a description of the public reaction too!  Yeah, we just can't stop talking about Miley's performance!  Okay, so obviously I have my opinions, but looks like everyone else does too.  So, for your satisfaction, I've condensed the most popular reactions into three groups as well as one example from each category that has gone viral!  So here we go, when it comes to Miley, you can shame her, defend her or laugh with her: 

Reaction #1: Shame Her

Yeah, shame is a strong word. But, for some it really rings true!  This blog, written as a letter from a twenty-something to Mileyherself, is a great example of this.  It describes how Miley's actions- since she's in the spotlight- leads to more attention.  But those same actions by an everyday person lead to sometimes tragic results.  Its a good read, and a logical response to a crazy performance!

Reaction #2: Defend Her, Sorta

This almost defense of Miley's actions.  I guess it is more of a call-out of people being hypocritical in what they accept and what they don't.  For example, if you've ever seen the music video "Blurred Lines" - the song that Miley was singing with RobinThicke, you'd know that the women in that video wear LESS clothes than Miley was wearing on stage.  Hard to believe, right?  Yet, the reaction to Miley was far more vicious.

Reaction #3: Laugh with Her

Yeah, sometimes you just need to laugh.  And social media's made sure that you can do that with Miley!  Here's my favoriteblog from this category, that shows Miley pulling her move on just about every popular internet meme there is!  

What was YOUR reaction to Sunday's performance?

Myspace's 9 Lives

Myspace is like a cat with 9 lives.

Doesn't it seem like it KEEPS "relaunching"?  Didn't this just happen earlier this year?  Is it déjà vu?  Are we in the movie Groundhog Day!?

Yet, I put away my apparent cynicism for a moment and open my mind to the possibility that maybe, just maybe, this time is different for Myspace.  The once front-runner of social media networks, MySpace (notice the previously capitalized S in space, that they have now done away with) lost basically all its users to Facebook and has been trying to reinvent itself since. 

But new owners Tim and Chris Vanderhook seem to realize that you need to do a lot more than change the capitalization of an "S" to reinvent yourself and shake the "failed social network" stigma.  The new Myspace is embarking on additional paths for this relaunch.  Remaining true to its original shift from 2012 to a music-discovery service, Myspace is keeping the hip social-music aspect, but building on it.  The most promising new feature seems to be My Radio, a service similar to Pandora or iTunes Radio, but that relies on crowd sourcing for the stations rather than user-customized algorithms.  So, what does that mean?  Basically that every user, spanning from me, to a cool new band, to Justin Timberlake, will have their own station- turning us into mini-DJ's promoted by the site itself.  This seems to be a unique differentiator, but what isn't clear is how users will respond.  Only time will tell.

Additional features on the new Myspace range from necessary standards (like its mobile device apps) to some more random offerings (like a user-friendly GIF maker). 

You'll soon see commercials for the new Myspace that feature a bunch of hip looking twenty-somethings dancing and running around to an upbeat music.  Doesn't seem like anything we haven't seen before, but the company is putting $20 million into this ad campaign reaching broadcast, radio and digital platforms. 

But, you know what?  I am typically one to root for an underdog.  And even given its former glory, that is really what Myspace has become. 

Will you try the new Myspace?  Do you think Myspace has a chance this time?  Share your thoughts below.