Competing and Connecting

Today was the first full day of competition at the Olympics and overall it was a pretty good one to watch. I probably enjoyed watching the volleyball (both indoor and beach) the most. All of the US teams won their matches. The swimming and men's gymnastics were also fun to watch. What wasn't fun about watching the Olympics today was the social media aspect.

On Twitter and Facebook people were posting their reactions and opinions to the outcomes of Olympic events. Most of these people had watched the events live online. I think it's great that people can do that, but for those of us who have lives and obligations (which means we have to wait to watch events as they are broadcast on television or recorded on our DVR) it kind of sucks to have events you are looking forward to see ruined by those who have to share spoilers online.

I asked my Twitter followers today to please not send out spoilers (not that I really have any influence over them) and for the most part it wasn't much of an issue. I did however receive an update from USA Today on my phone breaking the Phelps/Lachte result well before it had aired and similar posts on Facebook breaking the results of events before I even had a chance to watch them. I get that social media is all about what the individual has to say, but sometimes we should think about the people who will be reached by our words. USA Today should have known better and honestly I think they were just being hostile journalists out to get their claim on a story. I'm hoping that I don't have to spend the next two weeks avoiding Twitter and other social media, but if it means preserving my enjoyment of the Olympics, I will.