A lot of ideas, stories, etc.. are passed on by word of mouth. People love to share. We tell our friends about vacations, chat with neighbors about randomness, gossip to co workers etc. Online it is much easier to write a review about a restaurant or a movie, share a rumor on a tweet, and so on. Word of mouth could be more effective then traditional advertisement. Who actually likes commercials on television anyways? How could something be word of mouth worthy? Social currency is one principle. Also, what triggers people? People talk about what ever they think about; what ever comes to their mind. If someone thinks about salt most likely they will think of pepper. What is an idea or product that is easily and frequently triggered to the mind? In addition, emotion is important to social influence. "When we care, we share" (Berger 23). A message that makes people feel and connect. Help people evoke emotion and it will become contagious. And then how can we make this story, or product public? The phrase "monkey see, monkey doo" could be true. It can help too. Even further, what is the practical value? The content must be useful; people try and help people when they intend to spread their word. The highlight of what is offered, has value, and one continues to pass it on. Lastly, stories are to be most traveled. Building or sharing a story that would be passed on is gold. These are the six principles to contagion. "The Distance Between Us" by Reyna Grande holds all of these principles. It holds emotion, story, content, and became contagious through word of mouth. Reyna Grande shared a story that has impacted so many people. She evokes heartache, anger, confusion, stress, love, passion and gracefully shares her story without wanting any pity. People emphasize and sympathize and this connects everyone that reads the story.
What's your story?
Life is what you make of it. Reyna Grande made her life a worthy life. Stories like her's are all around us and they are happening now. We all know that. Her story is just bringing up emotions and thoughts that are already in our head. Do you doubt that there are abandoned children living in Mexico right now or even here in Los Angeles?
ReplyDeleteWhat is good about her story is that it is reminding us and not letting us forget the realities of life.If one child's life can be changed for the better by someone having read this book, it was worth it.
I do agree that sharing and passing on stories can make a difference. When we touch and connect with others we can make a difference because a hand full of us will want and will take action. Everyone is passionate about something different and when we come together and try to make a change, it can happen, not over night, but anything helps, little by little; day by day.
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