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[jbitteke12-blog]

Did you know that there is a huge gender disparity across all social media platforms? I was surprised and somewhat appalled to learn just how vast the gender gap is when it comes to social media engagement. Women are very much outnumbered by men when it comes to engagement on social media platforms as a whole, but they do dominate engagement levels on Pinterest and lifestyle blogging. There is still room for women to break the glass ceiling in industries such as sports and weather reporting on social media, and it is just a matter of time before they do just that. Women are also currently outnumbered by men when it comes to reporting politics or sharing breaking news. This trend has been mirrored across various social media platforms, but most notably on Facebook. I feel that within the next ten years, we will see greater equality when it comes to engagement on social media based on gender, as we continue to evolve as a more inclusive, global society.

[jbitteke12-blog]

 This video is a humorous depiction of the sadistic characteristics that many internet trolls possess and why they behave the way that they do on social media. 

[jbitteke12-blog]

This meme is quite thought-provoking, as so many people do troll the internet “trolls”. 

[jbitteke12-blog]

Millennials across racial and ethnic groups tend to behave in similar ways on Facebook, at least in terms of engagement with the news.

Race, ethnicity, and the use of social media for news

[jbitteke12-blog]

Social Media in Politics - Twitter and Facebook as Campaigns Tools

How political campaigns are now using Twitter and Facebook to energize their supporters. Find out why some candidates get into trouble on social media.

Social media has made political candidates more accountable and accessible to voters. This article shares 10 reasons Twitter, Facebook and Youtube have changed American politics.  

[jbitteke12-blog]

Struggles of Small Farmers

Those of us who do not know what the daily struggles look like for the average American farmer can look to educate ourselves as we support stabilizing our food system for our ever expanding nation. Educating consumers to what family farms are up against and what they do will help lessen the gap of disconnect between the farming and non farming population. Weather is what farmers depend on for a living. Farming is as much a business as it is a lifestyle. With crop producers having to buy their supplies(seeds, machinery, fertilizer, etc.) a year in advance with no idea of the season's outcome... it can be a lucrative or liquidating expenditure(Farmland Documentary). Many times first generation farming is not feasible. Due to exorbitant land prices, many farmers cannot purchase enough to comfortably live off of. Why not get a loan you may ask? Banks often do not want to take the risk of lending money to cover what the small farmer needs to get started(Out to Pasture: The Future of Farming?) It is more important now than ever that THIS generation stays on the family farm as the number of people coming back to the farm is decreasing and the average age of farmers are increasing. Community supported agriculture is the next step to the fight against hunger and poverty as well as the livelihood of non industrial farms. Community supported agriculture is defined as, "a direct connection between a local farmer and the people who eat the food they produce. In return for this support, CSA participants receive fresh, seasonal produce"(Crooked Sky Farms). At the end of the day, what price tag do YOU put on your healthy life and well-being?