Tune into CNN any weekday afternoon and you will see Rick Sanchez promote his stint at the anchor desk as a “National Conversation” because readers can Twitter, Facebook or MySpace instant reactions to CNN stories. During the course of the broadcast Rick will stumble his way through trying to read often-unintelligible usernames, and the off the cuff comments. A “National Conversation”, not.
Last time I checked my Merriam-Webster dictionary, not Wikipedia, the definition of conversation went something like this:
(1): Oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas (2): an instance of such exchange
Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and other social media are not conversations. Conversations require two key elements, the use of speech and interaction between live individuals.
Social media is not a conversation; it is the random placement of self-promoting thoughts and ideas that require no interaction. Instead, it can be compared to the equivalent of a billion online used car salesmen all-trying to grab your attention as you drive by their dealerships. Say whatever, and say it over, and over and over again, anything to get a customer’s attention.
I am not implying that the social media is an evil or threatening. It is a new communication tool in its infancy, and like all babies it will grow up. What we see today, is not what it will be next year or five years down the road. How we develop the new media is important.
Companies, media and individuals are flocking to twitter and other social media. Self proclaimed “social media” experts are more abundant than jobs for the unemployed. Watch any twitter role for 10 minutes and you will see at least two or three posts by the same self-proclaimed experts touting one way or another they can help you or your company make money using social media.
Not bad – topical anyway. Hey Ed – wanna buy a car?
Sorry Ed, have to disagree. Yes, there are lots of people out there shilling, but there’s also a core group of people using Twitter to share ideas and connect with people who are pursuing similar goals. Usually people trying to move social and business innovation to another level. It’s great, and effective.
You tease, you. Why did you post this topic Ed? To get traffic for your blogpost? To advertise your photography? Or was it to spark a conversation?
I’m with Catherine here. Just because some to make money from a new communication tool doesn’t automatically make it invalid. As for conversation and social media: if the publishing of thoughts and ideas doesn’t require interaction, these responses wouldn’t exist. And you wouldn’t have bothered posting your blog topic.
I love social media. The opportunity to use a new communications tool has certainly opened new opportunities for me, and the clients I work for. If nothing else, it levels the playing field somewhat and gives mass media a good run for it’s money. Here’s to the future. It is social, you know
Twitter is a tool like any other. Sometimes it’s used for good, sometimes for evil. Sometimes good people use it, some use it to spam, flog, annoy and harass.
I totally get the concept that it’s mere self-promotion– but why would that surprise anyone? And, yes, the marketers will get their mitts on it and try to make it into another billable channel for advertising – that’s a foregone conclusion.
But it’s possible to use it skillfully if one understands its role in fulfilling objectives. I don’t twitter (yet) — still waiting on the Web site, blog and opening a checking account for my brand new business. But I can see how using Twitter can reach some people…
Wrong, Ed.
There are plenty of conversations happening on Twitter and Facebook. They’re just not happening in real time the way interactions traditionally occurred. But they’re there just the same. Tweets posted and responded to on Twitter. People writing on each other’s walls on Facebook. All out in the open for everyone to follow. Maybe you’re not looking hard enough.
Every Tweet or post — even the most self-promotional — is in fact an open invitation to anyone to respond and turn it into a conversation. That that doesn’t happen with every message posted doesn’t mean conversations aren’t happening.
…and this posting from my website…..
2 Comment(s)
On Apr 16, 2009, Joanne Dant, Senior Associate, October Strategies said:
I have found Twitter to be a good tool for research and learning, however I am in complete agreement on the rudeness of tweeting while listening to a speaker. I find it very disappointing to see so many people glued to their phones “tweeting” while they should be giving full attention to the speaker.