America Stops and Listens

http://www.popsci.com/entertainment-amp-gaming/article/2009-01/americans-stop-and-listen

There is no doubt that the inauguration of President Barack Obama was an important day in America's history. To date there have been 44 inaugurations, yet this time things were being viewed differently. Record internet use was recorded yesterday as people were streaming the inauguration live on their computers. It also affected internet use patterns and cause minor problems. Google also recorded that they had lower hits during the inauguration because people weren't using other internet sites. Although people seemed to not be working or using their normal day-to-day websites and rather turned to social netwroking sites and blog sites.

While internet traffic and streaming video was at one of its highest peaks in history, as soon as Obama was finished with his speech the internet use dropped drastically and speeds returned to normal. The new use of technology continues to change how Americans view society and also changes the experience of a historical event. Consider 9/11... I remember the classroom, teacher, and friends around me when I watched the second plane crash into the south tower during high school. Without technology the news cannot and would not travel as fast, and people are becoming more aware of the country around them. This is a perfect example of how technology is helping our society.