Thursday 23 May 2013

Hashtag killing #firstworldproblems

Almost all of us have used the hashtag 'firstworldproblems'. We think its funny. In fact, the hashtag has become so popular that up to five tweets are sent every second describing the trials and tribulations of the developed world. 

"When my dishwasher is running, I can't hear the TV #firstworldproblems". 

From complaints about the cleaning lady who broke some frivolous high priced item that we probably never used, to not being able to reach our mobile chargers in bed, we believe that by merely placing a sarcastic hashtag to it, we don't sound like spoiled brats. 

But the truth is, while we make fun of our first world problems, there are real problems that are happening around the world that are far from funny, and that make our at home seem trivial. That is why Water for Life, a non-profit organization together with global advertising firm DDB created an ad campaign where impoverished Haitians respond to #firstworldproblem tweets in an attempt to 'reverse-trend' the popular meme. Probably social media's first ever attempt to kill a hashtag, rather then promote it.








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