I'm back from a year in Silicon Valley, and ready to start a new column for The Charlotte Observer. Here it is.
No, wait. It's on Twitter. No, it's on Facebook. But it's also in the newspaper. It's all of the above.
This is a new kind of column. It's on social networking, and it's in social networking.
Why is social media the topic? Consider: 1. More than 400,000 people in greater Charlotte are on Facebook. 2. Businesses in the Queen City are flocking to Twitter. (BofA has reserved eight spots at an upcoming social media conference here). 3. And in Silicon Valley I studied the biggest movement in media up close.
Here is a photo I took at Twitter HQ in San Francisco, where the staff of 50 eats catered breakfast and lunch on china each day. (It's a recycling thing.) Employees lounge on couches in the lofty office and hold impromptu meetups with their tiny laptops. And another photo I took at Facebook, where the average age of an employee is 26, and the health benefits fair had a pirate theme.
I'll talk more about my experiences studying social networking as a Knight fellow at Stanford University. But mostly, I'm interested in you. How do you use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and the rest? I'd like to talk with you there, on those sites. To me, the dialogue is the great benefit of the social media revolution. The best of that dialogue will move here, for daily analysis and more patient discussion. My column @work will appear Thursdays on the Business page. And @play will appear Fridays on the Local front.
Welcome to my new column. Or should I say our new column. See you online.
Is that crickets I hear?
ReplyDeleteHa, ha! At this point, yes. But hey, the blog is about an hour old.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to when Google Wave is released. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and all the other social networks will be left in the dust. Also, when I saw those pics on this article I thought this was about what social networking was really meant to be, not something online, but actually having get togethers and getting to know people in REAL settings... I miss those days.
ReplyDeleteThere are get-togethers in Charlotte. And the SoFresh convention in August should be huge. http://socialfresh.com/
ReplyDeleteMaybe you can do a story on people who don't use these services. I'm no old geezer, I'm 43 and have been computer literate since computers began for consumers in the early 80s. Yet, I tried MySpace and found it to be completely boring and even virus-inducing. I don't want to be on Facebook or Twitter, just another thing for me to maintain. I didn't like the people from high school, so why would I want them to track me down now? Don't need 'em, don't want 'em, I'm fine with just e-mail.
ReplyDeleteChanging subjects, welcome back Jeff Elder, I miss your columns! You're a funny guy.
"I didn't like the people from high school, so why would I want them to track me down now?" That's a great line. I love it. Those are good points!
ReplyDeleteHad face book for about 4 5/16th days.
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing how all the people I took the time to try and remember, from high school / grade school who had a face book account ended up becoming in life thus far, the novelty wore off like the dress of Janice Dickinson at a Grey Goose Beach Bash. It was unnecessary and the terms of service on posted content made me as nervous as the only one person in the world who has actually read any of obamas massively opaque proposals, the type setter.
I must say though it has become ALL the rage, even NewEgg.com, this very morning announced they are on twitter, facebook, yada yada bling bling......
I like a face to face encounter where I can actually feel and see the contempt someone may have for my existence in person, as opposed to reading it on someones "wall" .
Face-to-face is more valuable, powerful and necessary than ever because there are so many new ways to connect. I don't think social networking is good or bad, any more than the telephone is good or bad. It's what we do with it.
ReplyDeleteIt seems as if the only people pushing forward the Twitter phenomenon are the Old Guard media, desperate to grab onto something new. I'm in my 20s and don't know anyone who follows anyone else on twitter. Like other people, I signed up for a Twitter account, but quickly lost interest in it after realising that for most of the population, it has no purpose what so ever. Other people feel the same way. 60% of Twitter users never return (http://www.slate.com/id/2219995/)
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to me that many young people don't get Twitter, but do text like crazy. There's a lot of dumb stuff going on on Twitter. But the potential is amazing. Look at what happened in Iran. That political protest was able to just flow openly around the restrictions of a repressive government.
ReplyDeleteI just got on the computer, but I can't find the controlaltdelete button.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see that the Observer is, yet again, at the cutting edge of blogging.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather see the Observer spending money on replacing whoever-the-heck-it-is that's supposed to be responsible for proofreading content prior to publishing to the website. It's embarrassing to read so many typos and grammatical errors.
Wow, how did it feel to waste a year of your life? I wonder if anyone studied pet rocks, the chia pet or cabbage patch dolls.. Just because a fad is leveraged by the internet does not mean its still not a fad.
ReplyDeleteI heard the 40% of all Twitter accounts have no activity. I also heard that something like 80% of all Twitter accounts follow fewer that 5 people. If these are true, it seems as though Twitter is a media pushed flash. I tried it, but had no interest in keeping up with what others we're doing regularly. I also found it rather vain to think that others would care what I'm doing so regularly. My account has been cancelled.
ReplyDeleteFacebook has a different social appeal to me. I love it and use it daily to communicate with friends. I've heard the old high school "friend" line before too. If you don't want to connect with them, don't. Facebook gives you the updates that Twitter calls Tweets. You also share photos, links, and more. I don't see what Twitter offers that Facebook isn't better at.
LinkedIn is also very valuable to me, but only for my professional world. I have many professional LinkedIn contacts that are not Facebook contacts. I keep those two worlds mostly separate.
Thanks,
Mike
Twitter is not for everyone, but man it spreads news fast. The first report of the plane going down in the Hudson was a tweet of a photo from a passenger. Interesting that you like the friendly relationship aspect of Facebook. That's what I like about it, too.
ReplyDeleteSocial networking sites will be the cause for a generation of young people who will lose out on the ability to actually socialize and mingle outside of their computers in public. I am 29 yrs old and I see this already with a lot of teens and early 20s. People today are more comfortable having conversations this way (like this blog) than confronting people directly. It's sad but even being a single guy in Charlotte it's easier to find dates and meet people online than it is to go out and introduce yourself to someone. I hate the way this has changed society. You can't go anywhere anymore with people being distracted with ipod's, laptops, or whatever. It's like everyone acts like they have to be busy. Sites like Facebook & Twitter feed narcissism. Everyone wants to feel important, that their lives are important, that they matter. The only good I see is that it helps keep you in touch with other, but I also see that your life becomes gossip and you become glued to your screen.
ReplyDeleteI met kids at Stanford with 800 Facebook friends who were too shy to say hello to you. So I hear your point about distracting from in-person connections. It has to lead to real connections. But not sure about narcissism. Ultimately social media is revelatory. I think people get real the more they do it.
ReplyDeletebecause of the need to have something to replace real reporters who were downsized due to financial problems brought on by the tons of money borrowed to buy this rag
ReplyDeleteWow! All these negative comments about social networking is surprising! To keep up these days, it all must be embraced!
ReplyDeleteI'm also a fan of embracing it all, and diving in. You don't have to do it right. But dialogue that's ongoing does allow a little more pertinent discussion.
ReplyDeleteI am flat out amazed at the number of comments by people that seem to think that people use these tools to avoid face-to-face contact.
ReplyDeleteHere in Charlotte, at least, the folks I know, use twitter to engage, facilitate and expand relationships that often become personal relationships where we share drinks, shake hands and hang out and talk work and life.
Teens who text are using it the same way. My younger siblings sure do.
If you think twitter, facebook, myspace or anything else on the internet is a replacement, and not an enhancement for "real" interpersonal relationships you are missing something.
Jeff, I really hope you'll come to the next #TweetUptown and see that we're there to chill w/ our friends, and that Twitter enhances our engagement with each other, and doesn't replace it.
Twitter has made my personal & business life better in so many ways, and they all have to do with shaking hands with my fellow tweeps.
Social networking may not be for everyone, or for those who choose not to embrace it, that's your right. But don't dismiss it as a temporary phenomenon. I've found facebook to be incredibly valuable. I connect with all sorts of friends more now than ever. I'm 43 and haven't had any problem getting involved with facebook. It's great sharing pictures with family and friends, dropping notes to each other. The reality is, the days of leaving voicemail are long over.
ReplyDeletePeople who ignore social networking have their heads in the sand as far as its social implications.
Today, I just met another person face-to-face whom I had initially gotten to "know" via Twitter. It happens all the time for me in Charlotte.
ReplyDeleteAs others have said, social media just provides new tools--what you do with them is another matter. My advice is to dive in and embrace social media sites, rather than using them for 30 days before declaring "they don't work." There is a lot more to it all than meets the eye.
Jeff, I look forward to your new column!
I used to love MySpace. In fact, I met my wife on it!
ReplyDeleteI've since switched to Facebook, which is much better for us 38 year olds. :-)
Twitter seems to be social networking with ADD, and I'm not a fan of it.
LinkedIn is very powerful for professional use. I agree with the voicec mail is dead comment above.
I am using blogger for my blog
ReplyDeletewww.52waystochange.blogpsot.com
twitter for business and inspiration
@thefriendraiser (2000+ followers)
@52WaystoChange (1400+ followers)
Facebook for friends and fam
and LinkedIn to connect professionally (3000 connections)
I am so interested in social media for self improvement that I am starting an online program at UNC-CH in the fall (graduate certificate) in Technology & Communication.
There is value when you learn how to use it the brand yourself and not just talk about what you ate for lunch.
Jenifer, it seems like you're more interested in posting religious-based spam links than actually trying to 'network'. Teaching at UNC-CH? Really??? That's a shame.
ReplyDeleteI thought Twitter was stupid when I thought it was only about the deep thoughts of M.C. Hammer and Ashton Kutcher. But then I found out I could follow practically every news source, scientific and other journals, and web sites and blogs I used to spend lots more time clicking through my bookmarks to check for new posts, deals, etc. I worked in newspaper journalism for 14 years and loved having access to the wire services. Twitter is like having all the wire services, plus all the tweeps, reporting in on any and everything you choose. I use Facebook ... under my real name ... for relationships and communication with family, friends and colleagues. I use an alternate user name for Twitter, b/c I have very few personal "relationships" there and for privacy re: who I follow and some of the topics. On Facebook, I steer clear of politics, problems, religion, health, specifics of anything other than light-hearted social engagement, especially b/c I have a spouse who is a semi-public figure. Even for those parties I follow on both Facebook and Twitter, Twitter seems to be a more active environment. More links; more access; more information; more networking; more manageable platforms for utilizing the information (TweetDeck and others, for example).
ReplyDeleteWell Jeff -- you've been missed while you've been away. I look forward to reading your new blog.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that drives me crazy about Twitter is the black-and-white of privacy controls and filters. On Facebook, you can choose who can see posts and photos. On Twitter, you are public or you're protected, which limits the interaction if you want to have protected tweets for the most part but want to reply to someone like yourself, who doesn't follow me. If you reply to someone, they should be able to see that particular tweet that mentions them, while protecting the user's other tweets.
ReplyDeletePlease twitter about when you're leaving on your vacations this summer so I can break into your house.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - I totally agree. About the same age and could really care less about social networking my life to the world. who really cares what I had for breakfast, what I think about ...... fill in the blank or what I look like 25 yrs removed from high school. the only ones who care are the marketers, including Ch. Observer looking for ways to survive as a media outlet. It's no wonder the local papers are starting up, they are providing what the majors cannot seem to anymore - real news about our community.
ReplyDeletetwitter = twit-or, ie a twit who twits
ReplyDeleteThis is a pretty hilarious take on microblogging:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeLZCy-_m3s
I am in my late 60's, and find all this very interesting. I am on Facebook because my children who live far away post pictures there. i have five "friends", all family. Most dialogue I see is pretty lame, maybe suitable for junior high students.....but to each their own.
ReplyDeleteSince the majority or stories in the media never occur, or are inaccurate, it's interesting that getting it immediately is so important. Once a day in my Observer works for me. Call me what you will, but in a few years you too will see the foolishness of all this. Plus, it isn't free.
I think much of this exists because we have forsaken personal relationships for careers, etc., and this is the way we try to have some form of personal interaction.
Finally, NO one is so important that they have to be connected 100% of the time. if you think so, you might want to seek counseling. It is also very rude to constantly be checking your pager, phone, etc., all the time, especially when conversing with others.
Hey, Jeff, great to see you back and I am very much interested in the social networking "thing". I still personally think Twitter is sort of lame, but I use it as a way of promoting my blog on bioidentical hormones (http://holyhormones.blogpsot.com)and it works, I have been able to help several women (who have connected with me on Twitter and/or Facebook) with resources to find a doctor/compounding pharmacy in their area to get help in balancing their hormones. I am doing a little bit of social networking consulting for a medical practice here in Charlotte---like it or not, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networking sites are a great way to promote medical practices---especially "niche" practices that use cutting edge technology and complementary medicine to help thier patients. It's exciting (albiet a little overwhelming) to learn about this. Best wishes, I will be a regular reader!
ReplyDeleteI unschool with my boys, and while that's certainly gaining in popularity, people who do it are few & far-between. It's a lifestyle that needs a lot of support & connection with others who are doing the same; the majority of my friends on facebook are other unschoolers. I love to hear what they're doing with their kids, etc. It's great to have that little daily window into their lives.
ReplyDeleteI blog, just a little, and have "met" other bloggers online, and connecting with them on facebook as well has allowed our connection to deepen. And I believe it's very real connection, you read someone's posts every day and you know pretty quickly if they're someone you want to be around.
I enjoy it, too, for staying connected with my family that lives in other states - I get to see a lot more pictures than I would otherwise!
I do have a few friends on there from high school, but to be honest, I don't feel very connected to them and don't have any desire to see what they're doing on a day-to-day basis. That's certainly not why I use facebook.
I've made a few friends through other facebook friends, people whom I wouldn't have met otherwise (well, some of them I haven't met, yet!) but who enrich my life with their perspective on things.
I also use facebook to schedule in-person meetings. I play hand drums, and there's a drum circle group on facebook so I can see when the next one is scheduled. I joined the flash mob group, which did the bubble train a couple weeks ago. I've posted about things I'm doing, and other people will show up, having read about it on my fb page. It's a great way to spread the word about concerts.
I don't do the quizzes and games and pokes and tossing stuff, etc. (well - very rarely!) I go on to connect in a real way, and that's what I find!
Worthless Drivel... So now the question - Who's the biggest leech on the journalist payroll - Jeff Elder or Sarah Aarthun?
ReplyDeletePaid to Party or Paid to Pander?
Myspace is for music buffs and kids, Facebook if you want to connect with family, friends or details on work, a cause. Twitter is the rapid response and at first I didn't get it, now I do. Facebook is for private details. Twitter is for connections that are public and if you want to connect to info fast. I can check facebook once a week or get notices in email. Twitter you have to check daily at least, or the info passes you by. Quick and to the point and much more global in nature.
ReplyDeletei use twitter primarily for two reasons:
ReplyDelete1. to share the art, design, thinking, etc. that i come across on the web with my friends
2. replaces the need for an rss feed. i get the best of the web at my fingertips all day long.
Should we call you Carey Bradshaw? Good Luck~
ReplyDeleteIf anyone wants info on UF or the Gators by the way we will win be winning the SEC n BCS Titles again this year with an undefeated season with Tim Tebow at the helm his final year...gets is masters in early Dec... the to BCS Jan then to NFL Draft in early 2010 then onto John Brantley n incoming true freshman Andre DuBose...... It is Great to Be a Florida Gator~ I don't hear you singing! ok Try this "Go Gators!"~
For the social media naysayers... a lot of you just may be showing your age. =)
ReplyDeleteI'm no spring chicken but I've been social networking since college to keep in touch with friends who went to other schools. Also, to further connect with new friends on campus and to keep up-to-date in general. Obviously, this was the point of social media from the beginning as you couldn't even sign up for FB unless you had a .edu e-mail addy. It really didn't have anything to do with finding old classmates (unless you wanted to pay classmates.com).
Also, when I have kids I'm going to be **very** thankful that I know the in's and out's of social networking...
Looking forward to what you'll have to write about Jeff. =)
Oh, btw, I found out about this new blog from a Twitter RT.
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteI'll be speaking on "the theology of social media" at a conference at Pfeiffer University in September:
http://www.cefumc.org/cde.cfm?event=236641
As I'm sure you're aware, there's been a lot of buzz recently about churches (including ones here in Charlotte) that have begun encouraging people to use Twitter during worship services to give feedback on the music, the message, etc.
Rick Warren recently took the plunge into Twitter, as well - @RickWarren. Already many of the younger evangelical pastors are on Twitter and using it for self-promotion, inspiration, and greater transparency. This is a trend I see continuing, as more and more faith leaders no doubt will take the plunge -- and the pros and cons will be hotly debated inside and outside their faith communities, as well.
Here's a brand-new video of N.T. Wright, Bishop of Durham, talking about why he doesn't participate in blogs and other social media (hint: at one point he says the danger of social media is that it's just "feeding the gnostic dream ... a kind of cultural masturbation ... a self-stimulation which doesn't actually relate to the real world"):
http://vimeo.com/5682808
I'd love to talk with you more about the spiritual/religious aspects of social media!
Shalom,
Steve K.
Jeff --
ReplyDeleteI got started tweeting and FBing to stay a bit (and temporarily) ahead of the curve, since I have a 14-year-old. I didn't think it would be "the thing" for me. Boy. Was I wrong.
My kid enjoys FB, and it turns out Twitter isn't for him yet (texting, of course, is). FB, however, I think is perfect for 40-somethings -- a great way to reconnect with old friends and co-workers. Ideal, too, for keeping far-flung family up-to-date and in touch.
Twitter's different, of course. It's like a personalized "newswire." I don't use it to follow the comings and goings of friends. Instead, I use it to gather information -- mostly from people I don't even know. In the end, through info-gathering and networking, I'm even hopeful Twitter will help me eventually work my way back into the workforce (I've been out for 10 years).
No way does either replace face-to-face interaction, but it's naive for anyone to suppose that. This is supplemental -- auxiliary -- and for me, it's actually instigated more face-to-face interactions. Nothing wrong with that!
Cheri
And you know, I should've piled "blogging" into that last comment. Although it's pretty one way, my blog has been both therapeutic and a great way to reach out to family (and then, friends, and then, total strangers who became friends) and let them know what's going on in my life. I don't have family in Charlotte and use my blog as an open letter to let my peeps know that my kids and I are well and alive here in the Queen City. It's helps us stay in touch and often prompts even more communication -- phone calls, e-mails and visits.
ReplyDelete