It’s the sad news that nearly killed the Internet. Google News, Yahoo!, MSNBC, CNET, Twitter, LA Times, and more all went down from the insane amounts of MJ-related traffic. So we ask: How did you learn of Michael Jackson’s death?
This is more than a simple survey. In the past, we’ve learned of major breaking news from sources that now seem incredibly reliable, like television, radio, and newsprint. None of those media can be brought down by increased traffic. But while it’s clear the Internet is taking over the flow of information, it’s not clear that right now, it can handle such large news.
I myself heard about it from a friend, who had read it on the National Post’s website, a major Canadian news network. But what did I do then? I hopped on my computer and Googled the shit out of it. Soon, when we ask “where were you when you learned of this event?”, we may not be talking about geographical location, but URL.
So, readers, tell me: Was it Google? Twitter? Word of mouth? Suspicion based on the all-MJ set the DJ played at your favourite bar last night?
SnoA
June 28, 2009 at 1:31 PM
I’d just got to the front of the queue at the apple store in sydney to buy the new iPhone 3GS. was walking past one of the many macs on display when a steff memeber pointed out to the ninemsn page with; “hey, did you hear michael jackson had died?”. As a fitting tribute the first iTunes purchase was a Michael Jackson album.
Report PermalinkAndrew Mills
June 28, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Sad to say I learnt it from Facebook…
Report PermalinkLucas F
June 28, 2009 at 6:24 PM
As the ball is not yet rolling, I’ll nudge it. I received an SMS from news.com.au about it. Which i subsequently confirmed…by googling the shit out of it. Hah!
Report PermalinkSam Ross
June 28, 2009 at 6:37 PM
i was there when it happened
Report PermalinkGary Tong
June 28, 2009 at 10:41 PM
I heard it on 2Day FM on Friday morning.
Report PermalinkSamuel Butler
June 29, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Facebook.
Report PermalinkEhren Thompson
June 29, 2009 at 12:42 AM
1) I heard it on the radio while I was lying in bed.
2) I stumbled out of bed to the computer, checking my mobile on the way and finding a text from my brother asking to confirm the news that he had heard at school.
3) Wikipedia and google news’d it up.
4) Struggled to comprehend the shocking and tragic revelation.
Report PermalinkDr_Stef
June 29, 2009 at 8:22 AM
Someone came in to my workplace screaming in the morning someone had a heart attack. Didn’t know they were on about Michael until like 10 min later.
Report PermalinkI thought they were on about someone in the office!
krnageskillz
June 29, 2009 at 9:29 AM
On the Radio Friday morning on the way to work. They announced he had a OD on sleeping pills and had a heart attack.
Report PermalinkEng
June 29, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Heard it on the radio
Report Permalinkbadlanguage
June 29, 2009 at 11:07 AM
YouTube. It normally gives me good news
Report PermalinkNatalie
June 29, 2009 at 11:35 AM
Twitter Friday morning. Then checked cnn site.
Report PermalinkDousatsu
June 29, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Got into work and checked iGoogle. BAM! Dead.
Report Permalinkmatt
June 30, 2009 at 1:39 PM
are you saying your searching was directly responsible for his death??
Report PermalinkSamuel Strevens
June 29, 2009 at 1:35 PM
I saw kids under the age of 15 walking without there parents on the streets again.
Report PermalinkConnor Hughes
June 29, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Twitter Friday morning..
Report PermalinkKath
June 29, 2009 at 10:31 PM
I heard it on Vega 95.3, then switched TV on to Sky News
Report Permalinkalex
June 30, 2009 at 7:02 AM
I first saw it on the news then i went online to verify it.
Here is an interesting National study on how people found out about his death done by a company called mediacurves.
It says most people heard about it through traditional media, but alot of people did hear about it through facebook and twitter.
http://mediacurves.com/NationalMediaFocus/J7434-MJDeath/Index.cfm
Report PermalinkWade_oh
June 30, 2009 at 8:15 AM
I heard it from this amazing technology called the radio. Some what like a telephone but one way. i can hear them but they cant hear me.
Report Permalinkmatt
June 30, 2009 at 1:38 PM
mines a little strange i know: my work colleague “told” me by making words come out his mouth!
Report PermalinkPurple
July 24, 2009 at 10:44 AM
I heard about it on Facebook before it hit the news headlines. (This person had just seen it on the TMZ website.)
Report Permalink