
I'm a social-media hound. I've always been an "infomaniac" and the Google Machine has made finding interesting information so easy that it's not unusual for me to be on the internets for several hours every evening (only for research purposes during work hours, of course). But online communities also put us all in very awkward positions.
Take Facebook for instance: I just can't say no to someone who invites me to be a friend. It would be rude, but it also opens a big can of weird. So, I now have old friends from high school, lost college drinking buddies, neighbors, co-workers, my bosses and my clients all at one big virtual party on the worldwide web. Would I ever invite this group to the same real party at my home? Hell NO! Bad things happen when your worlds collide. My clients don't need to see pictures of me doing a headstand on a keg at a college frat party. It's a jolt when one of your co-workers greets you in the morning with, "Saw your friend's tagged picture of you playing Pass The Apple with some guy in 7th grade -- twice at two different parties. You sure liked to play Pass The Apple." It's hard for someone to take you seriously in a strategy meeting when they've seen you playing Pass The Apple.
Social networks have their place. But always remember that they blur the lines of the nice little realities you've created in life. Remember that whatever you post can be seen by anybody, anywhere at anytime.
Even writing this blog creates unique challenges. As a commenter on other blogs, I've been able to hide behind anonymity and say whatever I wanted. That's how Internet Tough Guys are born. As a blog writer, I have to be more responsible. I review each post with this filter in mind:
a. How would my mother feel about what I just wrote?
b. How would my clients feel if they read it?
Maybe we should put that filter against everything we do in life.
What do you think?
-Butch
4 comments:
I totally agree that social networking has a time and place. I also want to emphasize the first word "SOCIAL". In my mind these are places you keep up with friedns and re-connect with old friends. I realize we at Barkley are in an odd position since participating in these networks is really a way for us to keep our finger on the pulse of new and interesting mediums and I feel like I have a multitude of co-workers that I consider good friends. But I almost lean toward our role being more as an observer with limited participation.
Maybe it's just me, but I really don't want or need to have people knowing exactly what I am doing every minute of the day...and does anyone really care what I am doing at every minute of the day?
Emily, what are you doing right now?
I would update my facebook status to let you know, but I was kicked off last week for "Violating the Facebook Code of Conduct." Not sure what happened. Tried to log in and it informed me I was no longer welcome.
I have written facebook to hopefully be reactivated, at that point I will update my status.
Amiable post and this post helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you on your information.
Post a Comment