Forecasting social movements by web buzz analysis

Widespread Internet usage has led to the availability of a cacophony of fact, fiction and opinion composed by all elements of society; events such as the recent panic in Veracruz, Mexico over Twitter chatter of a violent attack on a school demonstrates the societal power of this cacophony. Governments, news organizations and most importantly individuals produce data that represents a stream of consciousness of society, albeit a stream with many competing voices, agendas, and noise. Embedded in this stream are the opinions and activities that will move society and make news.