What I find most interesting about this is that this is more of a template for tragic events that occur. Something of this importance will have people who report false information or who will report something as fact before having enough credible sources.
There will be a ton of speculation of what happened by both the media and citizens. People can instantaneously disagree or argue about what they think happened without having actually been there. Social media can actually make situations worst because of false information. In 1963, most people had to wait to hear a news update either from the morning paper or on the nightly news station. This gave the media more time to produce accurate information. If the President were to be assassinated today, a frenzy and chaos would occur because of all of the false information put out there. Also, people who did not support the president would make jokes about it (there are always ignorant people out there) which would cause fights between people. There would be so much confusion because of all of the different stories and speculations.
This article did a pretty good job of reenacting the JFK assassination in social media terms. In order for chaos not to follow in a similar situation today, the government would have to immediately come out with a statement and the mass media would have to be careful about what "facts" they tell people.
Cool post Aaron! It is really interesting to think about events like this would have been with social media. I agree that false information is a big problem with social media's reporting today. I have kept up with a few stories as they happen and the rate that the 'facts' change is impressive. The biggest one it seems involves shootings, when its reported that there could be a second shooter when in almost every situation there isn't. If any major events happened like JFK's assassination, I imagine social media would be a whirlwind of misinformation that would spread like wildfire. Everyone would be talking about it and spreading more rumors. And sometimes social media acts fast to try and name suspects (Boston Bombing) which leads to a pitchfork mob usually on the wrong person. We walk a dangerous line today.
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