Wanna Be Discovered?

Have you ever wondered how many unknown geniuses came before Einstein? Or how many Elvis Presley's out-danced and out-sang the star in the privacy of their own homes? How many explorers "discovered" America before Columbus?

The truth of the matter is, there have been many "greats" that came before the people that we regard as legends. These individuals were never "discovered" or properly recognized for their talents or contributions; they somehow got lost in the crowd and probably ended up wistfully shaking their heads at the news while thinking, "I thought of that years ago."

These unsung heroes were not recognized because of a lack of resources or outlets to share what they possessed, whether it be talent or information. In the end, self-promotion through effective communication and exposure is what led to the reverence that many such as Einstein, Elvis and Columbus receive today.

Luckily, social media is opening up a brand new, accessible venue for individuals to share what they've got. Last week, a star was born in Australian computer programmer Anthony Wesley. While partaking in his frequent hobby of stargazing, Wesley became intrigued by a large spot on Jupiter that he had not previously seen. He said he immediately recognized its significance and he uploaded images of the planet onto Flickr, a popular photo-managing social media site that allows one to share images with the world.

With his $400 telescope, Wesley was the first to make the ground-breaking discovery of an Earth-sized scar caused by an asteroid or comet collision to the planet. He is now being revered by NASA and astronomers around the world. The once unknown computer programmer is now the first result in a Google search of his name. Wesley is describing his discovery as a dream come true.

Social media is allowing many individuals to gain the fame and fortune that they only dream of. YouTube has served as an open karaoke stage for many singers who have been signed by huge record labels. Soulja Boy, a platinum-selling hip-hop artist from Atlanta, was discovered through the social networking site in 2007. Many others have been discovered through the site, including Canadian YouTube sensation, Justin Bieber, who is on his own rise to fame after being signed to a record label this year.

Whether you're an aspiring writer, singer, dancer, amateur astronomer or circus clown, there is no longer a reason to not be recognized for your talents. Social media is an accessible resource for everyone and by sharing your talents with the world, you could be the next big discovery.