In a recent press release, twenty-something Landon Fitzworth, Jr., social media expert at The Weather Channel, apologized to the hundreds of weathermen and women who lost their jobs following his "how-to" post to Pinterest last week. The post, which also linked to a step-by-step YouTube video, outlined in detail how "literally anyone" can build his or her own weather station from common household items. According to the video, "These DIY stations can predict the weather with 10 to 15% accuracy--as well as, or better than, your average weatherman." In less than twenty-four hours, the post had gone viral on facebook, Twitter, and throughout the blogosphere.
"I admit that I did not fully think through the consequences of my actions, and I'm sorry that social media can get so out control," Fitzworth wrote in his public apology. Fitzworth, though contrite, pointed out that the post did cause websites to receive some heavy traffic, which, he explains, is good for The Weather Channel. "So maybe we could all just think about it that way. I was kind of just doing my job."
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