Wrestlemania: Wrestling with the Point of Social Media
I sometimes have the troubling thought of “what’s the point?” Yes, I am referring to social media and/or social networking and not the question of whether to put on clothes each morning.
While questioning something that I study on a daily basis might be a pointless task, I would like to think it helps me to analyze it and understand it. This question is mainly ignited by other people who say “what’s the point of blogging?” Or, “what’s the point of Twitter? Aren’t people just stroking their egos with it by thinking that people actually care what you have to say?”
I have to agree with the naysayers sometimes. Sometimes, I really don’t get how some social media is anything more than the expectation that people actually care what I have to say. And other times… it makes complete and total sense to me. Are the times it makes sense when I think what I have to say is important? I don’t know.
Am I the only one who ever questions this? If you would like to point out the irony of this post in the comments, I encourage you to do so.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Subscribe to Comments
Follow us on Twitter
Get email updates
4 Comments, Comment or Ping
Tim McGuire
Brian,
I agree. What is the point? You might analyze and understand it but how will that help you? Maybe it’s all just so new and different that we don’t see yet where it could take us and what it means for our future. Since you’re in the program that studies such things I hope this is the case for you.
I am a commercial still photographer who attended an informational meeting last night about the MCDM program and I am still trying to get my head around how this program might be able to lead me to new entrepreneurial business opportunities for my digital content creation.
Mr. Hosein was very impressive and he said photographers like this program and the program “likes photographers”. I still can’t get my head around how this course of study could create opportunities for me with my entrepreneurial passion for creating visual digital content. Any insight you or others may have on this subject is appreciated.
Cheers,
Tim McGuire
Dec 5th, 2008
christy
Hi Brian,
I see what you are saying; it can be particularly challenging when one is new to a social media platform like Twitter, or when it seems as though there is simply no time left in the day to engage in yet another online activity.
However, there is hard and fast evidence that times are changing. Conducting business the “old way” is no longer viable in many cases. I was skeptical at first, as a few of the newspapers and magazines folded or went online-only.
After seeing the signs time and again, I am now thoroughly convinced that these industry changes are irreversible, real and very significant. So far, today’s digital media tools are the best option for anyone looking to stay a step ahead of the game. I have seen many-many-many mass media outlets fold and cut back. This endangers the jobs of journalists, advertising executives, PR professionals, photographers, etc.
Until newer and better creations come along (which they will), it is very relevant to adopt new media trends. Anyone whose job depends on mass media should be very concerned. As we know, those who are afraid of change or slow to adopt are often the ones who often get left behind. Being agile in this market is important. For many corporations and business people, social media has a very relevant role today.
In addition, this is a great time to be part of the solution to the fall of mass media. While things are stil unsettled, we have the opportunity to help find new ways for people to communicate, create and share ideas.
Dec 5th, 2008
Ajit D'Sa
Just 2 days ago, I had a guy tell me what he thought was the meaning of life. It sounded absurd when he was setting it up, but once he said it, it made a lot of sense.
“Life is best when you have a frequent series of non-negative interactions with a recurring group.”
I dissected every part of that sentence, and it seems to be the truest and purest statement I’ve ever heard on the subject. Thinking that “no one cares” and that “you are socially interacting with your ego” is egotistical in itself. anyone who isn’t consistently lonely has a recurring group, be they family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, people you play computer games with, your soccer team, etc etc. These people interact with you because they are on your level in one aspect of your life, but they might find it interesting to get a sneeky peeky into the rest of it. I think these apps help with that.
There’s a perception that the internet is a place where everyone is watching everything all the time. But in reality, people interact in groups or circles, even on the internet. And just because everyone isn’t reading all your stuff all the time doesn’t mean some people aren’t enjoying it.
Like this blog post.
Hey, we just had a non-negative interaction!
Dec 14th, 2008
video conferencing setup
I enjoyed reading your post; I am running a small website on video conferencing I am a beginner in this business. I don’t know much about it but I am searching around for material that can increase my knowledge
Mar 19th, 2009
Reply to “Wrestlemania: Wrestling with the Point of Social Media”