It's always amazing to see how quickly news spreads around the world. Social media has played a huge part in taking a message, attaching a sense of urgency and spreading it like wild fire from coast to coast and continent to continent. Two huge examples from recent years come to mind: the Iranian Elections of 2009 and the 2010 Haitian earthquake. News and images spread across Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms faster than traditional media as they quickly became trending topics in cyberspace.
Virality is a great equalizer; spreading stories of human despair (as in the two previous examples) or stories of the obscure and strange. The commonality is that each story piques the interest of a diverse group of people who in turn spread the message through their own network of friends and associates. And so on and so on, just like the Faberge Organic shampoo commercials of the 1980s.
Cincinnati's recent brush with social media mania occurred the evening of June 14th when a powerful thunderstorm system swept through the area. A prominent 62 foot statue of Jesus, seemingly rising up from the water surrounding the 4000+ member Solid Rock Church (Christian), was struck by lightning and caught fire.
.jpg)
Known as “Touch Down Jesus” and "Big Butter Jesus", the statue had been residing on the side of I-75 since late 2004 as a beacon of welcome, or a very large oddity, depending upon your perspective. His large arms flung out skyward and his eyes stared unflinchingly ahead, giving motorists pause on their trips along the highway. Seeing the statue lit by fire on a dark, stormy evening was a sight to see.
Take a look at some pre-fire footage:
News of the fire and Jesus' demise quickly spread throughout Cincinnati via Twitter, Facebook Fan Pages, and Blogs. YouTube saw an uptick of Big Butter Jesus Vids and the traditional media began to send out email alerts in addition to on-air news reports.
Now people all over the world are talking about the demise of Touch Down Jesus and what it might mean........at least until the next big piece of news grabs the proverbial Warhol spotlight.
Comments
It means to some Christian they need to be more Christian! If It happen to a gay club it means they need to be more gay! ect. What ever your trying to do it means your not doing it good enough in Gods eyes! This is consistent theology! If It happens to be a practicing liar he telling the truth to much!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!