A few weeks ago I learned that Danny Gans had died because “Danny Gans” was one of the most talked about keywords on Twitter. Then, we had an earthquake in Los Angeles and immediately (literally within moments) there were updates on Twitter…Whether it’s a sporting event or a news update, you can get the most current, up to date news on Twitter with real people reporting real results.

CNN is now reporting that people in Iran are posting updates on Twitter with crucial information – and this is particularly important since Iranian authorities have banned Western journalists from covering political rallies. Even though websites and newspapers have been closed by Iranian officials, people are still able to spread the word of what’s going on via Twitter.

Although officials would not say whether they were communicating with Iranians directly, one noted that the United States is learning about certain people being picked up for questioning by authorities through posts on Twitter.

“It is a very good example of where technology is helping,” the official said.

Senior officials say the State Department is working with Twitter and other social networking sites to ensure Iranians are able to continue to communicate to each other and the outside world.

At a briefing with reporters Tuesday, spokesman Ian Kelly said the United States was monitoring the situation in Iran through a number of media, including social media networks like Facebook and Twitter, but deflected questions about the State Department talks with Twitter.

“We’ve highlighted to them the importance of these social media,” Kelly said of the conversations with Twitter executives. “This is about the Iranian people. This is about the giving their voices a chance to be heard. One of the ways that their voices are heard are through new media.”

For example, senior officials say the State Department asked Twitter to refrain for going down for periodic scheduled maintenance at this crucial time to ensure that the site continues to operate.

“They announced they were going to shut down their system for maintenance, and we asked them not to,” one official said, adding that the discussions were meant to “highlight to [Twitter] that this was an important means of communication, not with us but horizontally in Iran.”

The situation in Iran is a real-world example of the State Department’s efforts to increase use of technology in diplomacy, including social networking sites, Web video and text messages to reach large numbers of people who would otherwise be difficult to reach.

It’s uncertain what the long term prognosis of Twitter will be, but one thing we know for certain is that the “word of mouth” impact of people and the ability for their message to be spread instantly to people around the world via the Internet, is here to stay.  And by the looks of it, Twitter – in one form or another – might be the leading catalyst.

For more information on how to best use Twitter in your online activities, visit http://adamginsbergblog.com/category/twitter

When I’m at the gym I have two television monitors in front of me – one change is CNN and the other is FOX News.  It’s a fascinating study in media psychology and mindset as you can literally watch the same story unfold on both channels and yet get two viewpoints so diametrically opposed you would think they were worlds apart.

With that being said, there is one common thread on both channels and that is one of dispair.  How many more times do we have to hear that we are “in the worst recession since the great recession”.

I can appreciate that America is struggling.  We have struggled economically in the past and we will struggle again in the future – it’s the ebb and flow of any ecomic cycle.  And it’s fascinating how many people now say they “saw it coming”.  You had to be living under a rock not to have known there was a bubble ready to burst.  The only question was “when” and not “if”.  Heck, you can only blow up a balloon so much before it’s simply going to explode.  And it can take a long time to blow up a balloon…but when it pops it deflates instantaneously.

As I travel around the world and speak to thousands of people a month – teaching them how to make money online using sites like eBay, Amazon, Overstock, Craigslist and Google – I’m noticing now, more than ever that people are serious about making a change in their life.

If there’s one thing the media has done well – it’s scare the heck out of people to cut back on spending and save more. One thing people are not cutting back on though, is making an investment in themselves.  At sold out live 3 day trainings (attendance is way up), people are investing now in themselves more than they ever have because now people understand that it’s critical they take control of their own financial future.

It’s so easy to get caught up in media bias – but with everything you hear and everything you read, remember this.  People made fortunes during the great depression.  While a terrible period in history for so many people, there were others who achieved great prosperity.

Do I believe people are challenged?  Yes, absolutely.  Do I believe this is the worst depression since the great depression?  Categorically no!

I do believe however that we are in the greatest period of prosperity and opportunity in the last 50 years.  People will make fortunes and become millionaires in the next 18-24 months – and I will help many of them to achieve their goals.

Just thinking positively isn’t going to help your financial situation.  Thought without action won’t get you anywhere.  But, change your mindset and believe you can.  If you do, you’ll achieve more than if you think you can’t.  Really, it’s not “why am I in this mess”, it’s “what can I do to take advantage of the situation I’m in to yield the best results.”

You might want to start by changing the channel and watching something other than the news.

Let’s take a stand – let’s make a different in our lives and the world.  It’s time that you take control of your own financial future and the best time to do it is now!

What do you think?  Share your comments below – and don’t forget to follow me on twitter here.

Don’t know what twitter is?  Watch the video “Twitter in Plain English” here!

In traveling around the world, prior to the outcome of the 2008 US presidential election, what was fascinating to me was the world’s view of John McCain – that being a McCain presidency would simply mean 4 more years of George Bush.  This, as told to me by people in both small and big cities around the world, is clearly a case of media driven politics.

Regardless of your political opinion of George Bush, or John McCain, the only insight a cab driver in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia – who barely speaks english – would have about the presidential nominees is what he or she sees on television and reads in the media.

In probing deeper into these comments the answer to “Why do you feel that way” ended up validating this clear case of media bias.  One person, in speaking for many, said “because of what I read in the newspaper and heard on television (mostly from the International desk of CNN)”.

The reality is this – regardless of your whether you’re pro-Bush or thought Bush was the worst president in American history, the world has rallied behind the concept of “hope”.  America is once again looked upon as the great land of hope and opportunity because Barak Obama has inspired more than just a nation – but a planet to rally behind making a positive change in the world.  Let’s just hope he can live up to the massive expectations people have of him.

Adam Ginsberg on the Perspective of Barak Obama’s poularity.
This is my response to a post made by Heather Robinson on the HuffingtonPost.com website.  To read the original article, click here!