Okay, Ann Arbor did not unofficially rename itself to Google, but the news that Google is going to build a fiber optic network for some lucky town(s) as a test run of such a system did lead to some interesting displays of social media’s power. It also showed how Topeka, Kansas is a huge showoff, but that’s another story. Highlights of this effort include:

• Getting close to 1,000 followers on Twitter in roughly a month
• Organizing a “flash mob” (really just an event) via social networks that was attended by 1000s of residents and especially students
• Getting endorsements from the city government, nearby Ypsilanti, DTE, and more.

The fiber optic network in question would allow download speeds well in excess of 1 gigabit per second, which is 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today . Chosen communities will be announced later this year. This high-speed services would allow the chosen city to experience the internet in a new way. This experience would be a test case for Google to see where the world can go moving forward.