The digital world has taken over, but the emergence of social media tools that host a lot of pretty low grade stuff  sometimes overshadows the huge impact the tools of the web can have, sometimes life-changing and even saving,  impacts.  Just look at the role played by social media during the floods in QLD, the disaster in Christchurch, and the changes happening in the Middle East.

Consider the site Ushahidi for instance,  born in crisis, and evolving in a manner that has, and will continue to make a huge difference to many peoples lives in times of crisis. Such a tool would have been impossible without  Tim Berners-Lee, his colleagues and subsequent innovators.  

The value of just one site like Ushahidi, and the useful utility of social tools makes up for all the junk that appears to be the other side of the coin, making up the volume.