Alexandra Sifferlin of Time recently published an interesting article looking at Facebook (or social media, more generally) and the anatomy of influence. In an internet age where everyone has a platform from which to shout (and often think they have a right to such platforms), new research is indicating what most of us knew all along: only a few people actually use these tools effectively. Facebook and Twitter give people the illusion of having an audience, but in fact, only a few people really capture the attention of their audience. As such, this study indicates that users tend to come in two categories - influencers and consumers - though there is obviously some overlap between them.

What was perhaps more surprising is how these groups break down demographically. Men are more influential than women. Women are less likely to be influenced than men. Married people are more influential that single or dating individuals. The list goes on. What exactly should we make of this? And as people who live in an internet age, how should we leverage this information to spread the hope of the Gospel? What do you think?