While text and data are standard methods of communicating concepts, infographics do it better. Many infographics shared through social media sites are often intended for humor or satire, and others illustrate market or demographic trends. One should keep in mind how that research was generated because the dissemination of data from a poorly constructed research study is still bad data, regardless of how pretty of a graphic it can be turned into. An infographic can be as simple as showing the different types of clouds relative to the elevations they are typically found at. Infographics can be used to illustrate any data set with meaningful attributions. More data on a picture is not necessarily better or adds more validity.
Notable Infographics
Data Viz Challenge (Google partnered with Eyebeam to sponsor the Data Viz Challenge: Visualize Your Taxes using data provided byWhatWePayFor.com)
Infographic World's The Life and Times of Steve Jobs
Interactive Map: Costs of Hunger
Social Media / Marketing
Randall Munroe's xkcd illustration about Online Communities
Michael A. Stelzner's How Marketers are Using Social Media in 2010
Social Media Facts & Figures for B2B Sales (2010)
NetProspex Social 50
