You don't have to be a Twitter fanatic to appreciate the power of social media – especially when a conversation on Twitter begins with David Letterman and includes the site's co-founder, Biz Stone.
More than 3,000 Ball State students and faculty cheered, applauded and tweeted their approval and questions during "A Conversation with David Letterman and Biz Stone" Friday night at John R. Emens Auditorium.
It was a good turnout for a campus in which many students say they're not Twitter users. A survey conducted by students and faculty last year showed that Facebook users on campus largely outnumbered Twitter users. Maybe it doesn't matter when the subject of emerging media – a Ball State hallmark – comes to campus.
"There was this real push and this real idea that technology was the solution to all of our problems," Stone said. "It's ultimately about what people are going to do with the technology, not the technology itself."
Letterman set a light tone, using his standard joke about the Ball State mascot: "the cardinal, the fiercest robin-sized bird in the animal kingdom." In his typical fashion, the "Late Night" host revealed that he had forgotten his socks and had borrowed a pair from Roy Budd, President Jo Ann Gora's husband.
Letterman was a gracious, fun host, even if he did confuse tweets and "twits."
Usually students are asked to turn off their cell phones when they attend speeches, but for this event Gora asked attendees to use their cell phones to tweet questions or reactions.
Stone's speech focused on his life experiences and how they affected him. He discussed how Twitter was created and how he thinks something as simple as Twitter has more functionality than just posting what a person is doing.
"We need to realize that we're a global citizen. We're not just a citizen of a state or country," he said. "It's my sort of hope that by connecting more people together and sharing our information, we'll all be more comfortable with people and there'll be some kind of alignment, and we'll work together and shine light on injustices, work toward better versions of healthcare and all these other things."
The conversation served as inspiration for many to think about how technology has many more uses.
Freshman telecommunications major Stuart Hotwagner said the conversation and Stone's insight on how Twitter can be used influenced him to start his own Twitter account.
Hotwagner, who did not have a Twitter account because he didn't think it was useful, went to the conversation because he was curious about what Stone had to say about social media, not because he was a fan himself.
"I liked how he said that with the future of social media and Twitter he hoped it would make people feel like a global citizen," he said.
Quotes from Letterman, Stone:
[Letterman asks Biz to compare Twitter to something.]
Stone: The telegraph.
Letterman: You know I was going to say that, but I thought I'd be booted out of the room.
"It's great to be back at Ball State University, home of the Cardinals. As you know, the fiercest robin-sized bird in the animal kingdom."
"Are you guys tweeting right now? I can kinda feel it. Can you just do me a favor? If you're tweeting, this is not a hair piece, this is not a toupee - this is just what it is."
"Before we leave I just have to point out that I am wearing sock that belong to President Jo Ann Gora's husband, and if I haven't seemed myself that's why."
Letterman, reading submitted questions and comments off of cards: "Mr. Stone, please give me a job."
Stone: "Were you actually reading off the card or did you just ask me for a job?"
Read More
Retired high school teacher holds presentation about history of Berlin Wall
By Emma Matlock / 4 hours agoTom Schwartz, a retired Bluffton High School Teacher, talks about the art on the Berlin Wall on April 15, 2024.
Fatal accident along McGalliard Road and Tillotson Avenue
By Staff Reports / 5 hours agoA police chase that began in neighboring Henry County the morning of April 18 ended in Muncie at the McGalliard Road and Tillotson Avenue intersection, according to a press release from the Muncie Police Department (MPD).
Songkran Festival – Thai New Year celebration
By Brooke Follrad / 5 hours agoThailand New Year takes place from April 13 through April 15.
