My last research proposal was about how social media such as Facebook and Twitter are making people

feel lonelier. But because this did not make any connections with the Third World country, I have
updated my research topic to how people in the First World make negative references to the Third
World unknowingly. First World Problems and FML (F*ck My Life) are popular social media trends,
allowing people to complain about their unfortunate lives. I am going to be exploring how this trend
blinds people of the First World from the life-threatening dangers and problems that Third World
countries must face; social media seems to be hurting both the First and Third world countries due to
such trends. I will be researching about the psychology behind those popular trends and the reactions of
the Third World countries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxyhfiCO_XQ
http://www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-views/dl-opinion/the-problem-with-first-world-problems20130304-2ffr4.html
http://www.care2.com/causes/demystifying-the-idea-of-first-world-problems.html
http://ideas.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2013/03/20/psychologists_firstworldproblems_are_real_and_thir
d_world_people_have_them_too
http://bambootelegraph.com/2013/09/26/first-world-vs-third-world-problems/
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/oct/09/firstworldproblems-ad-campaign-newground
http://www.businessesgrow.com/2012/10/07/three-amazing-ways-social-media-is-changing-the-world/
http://blog.getchute.com/visual-revolution/psychology-behind-selfies-foodporn-and-sharing/
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/11/whats-wrong-withfirstworldproblems/248829/
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/13/in-defense-of-first-world-problems.html
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/beyond-heroes-and-villains/201408/stop-picking-people-theirfirst-world-problems
http://www.google.com/trends/explore?hl=en-US#q=%22first+world+problems%22
http://www.pamorama.net/2010/08/31/all-about-internet-memes-infographic/
http://www.thegardenstatuary.com/?p=1520
http://www.academia.edu/3649116/Makes_a_Meme_Instead_A_Concise_History_of_Internet_Memes
http://sciencefocus.com/feature/tech/internet-memes

Source Evaluation

Title Of Source: Despite its Flaws, #firstworldproblems Ad Campaign Breaks New Ground
Author/Moderator: Emer OToole
Type: Web Article
Is it relevant? Yes
What are the authors credentials?
o This author is an assistant professor of Irish performance studies at Concordia University.
She has written many articles about feminism, sex workers, and social justice issues in
Ireland.
What is the stance?
o The article provides several stances; it talks about both the pros and cons of the topic
(If a book/journal) Who published it?
(If a website?) Who is the sponsor?
o The website is sponsored by The Guardian, which is a news website.
What is the level of the material?
o The article is written for a general audience.
How current is the source?
o The source was published on October 9, 2012. Although it is from two years ago, the
article addresses a lot of issues regarding my topic.
What arguments does the author make?
o The author address the backlash from critics against the #firstworldproblems video, but
also provides the other point of view about how the trend is creating this huge
stereotype against Third World countries.
How persuasive do you find the argument?
o There are definitely counterarguments in this article, but I am unable to find any other
sources-I wish this author would have provided a source of what critics have said about
the video campaign. This is a fairly persuasive article, but lacks some sources.
Do you recognize any ideas youve come across in your other sources?
o Yes, this source generally talks about how social media disregards Third World problems
with the trend of First World Problems.
Does this source support or challenge your own position-or does it do both?

This source challenges my own position because I can see both the benefit and harm of
the video campaign.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how useful will this source be for your paper?
o 7

Source Evaluation

Title Of Source: In Defense of First World Problems

Author/Moderator: Michael Moynihan
Type: Web Article
Is it relevant? Yes
What are the authors credentials?
o The author is a cultural news editor for The Daily Beast, and he has written several
articles about foreign issues.
What is the stance?
o The stance is slightly slanted; the writer talks about his own opinions on the issue.
(If a book/journal) Who published it?
(If a website?) Who is the sponsor?
o The Daily Beast is the sponsor, and this is also a news-related website.
What is the level of the material?
o The material is written for a general audience.
How current is the source?
o The source was published on February 13, 2014.
What arguments does the author make?
o The author argues how social media users should be grateful for what they have instead
of complaining on the internet. He presents one argument.
How persuasive do you find the argument?
o This article is basically criticizing those who use the phrase #FirstWorldProblems, and it
analyzes the morals behind the trend.
Do you recognize any ideas youve come across in your other sources?
o This source is also criticizing the internet trend.
Does this source support or challenge your own position-or does it do both?
o This source supports my position.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how useful will this source be for your paper?
o 5-6