Feb 07 2009
Surf’s up, dude
Pre-Ramble: I’ve decided to start an occasional feature on my site called, “In their Own Words,” where I share some truism or particularly incredible turn of phrase. Here is a notable observation by a guy named Chris Anderson on his website, The Long Tail, regarding emerging social networking forums:
… [while] Twitter and other microblogging [mechanisms can make] lifecasting and other status updating easier, for most people it still feels like another obligation, taking time to do well and causing guilt when neglected.
I could not agree more, but before I go into that, I need to mention here that I casually clicked the “about” button on Chris’ site to get a little background on who he is, what he does, etc.
Ok – Duh. Chris Anderson is the editor-in-chief of Wired Magazine. Wired Magazine! As in, the keys to the kingdom for tech-trend-savvy folks (or wannabes). Chris Anderson is the wizard of all things tech. To cite something that he has to say about the dynamics of social networking as meaningful, is like saying a ripped guy named Laird can surf. Cut to me showing up at Teahupo’o Reef in floaties and a nose plug.
To his point: And, Chris is so right about the double bind of social networking. While it is amazing and empowering to be able to share random thoughts, photos and even video with potentially millions of people, attending to what is essentially a constant chorus of calls to come out and play can be a serious time-buster. Do I actually need to know that you just moved your dark load from the washer to the dryer? That you have a front-loader? That it was set on “fluff”? That a brown sock went missing?
Or worse – I’ve been “tagged,” obligating me to list the top 25 things that I would want to have with me on a desert island. Except, I can’t just rattle off any old response; the self-imposed standards of my inner perfectionist dictate that this list has to be not only carefully considered, it has to be witty, hip, entertaining and express my true inner self. Shit. That kind of deliberation can take the better part of an afternoon – if I’m lucky. So,… either I indulge the well-meaning friend who sent it… or, I blow it off and risk alienating my friend and coming across as a royal-stick-in-the-mud-buzz-kill in front of the whole Internet.
The Take-Away: Learning how to manage time and maximize effort in this new online world will take some doing. As with reality shows, shoe shopping, cocktails, and now Facebooking, Twittering and the like, we’ll need to master some degree of moderation. And, we’ll just have to face facts - when it comes time to head out to the desert island, some of us will be prepared, and some won’t.
Haha! You are so right about the perils of the internet. I think a sociology student should draw up an equation to calculate one’s susceptibility to internet temptations. I suggest “P” (for natural tendency to procrastinate) x “C” (for Curiosity) x “T” (for Technoheadness) =strength of temptation to give time to the internet. Perhaps a masters thesis ? Am I onto something?
ok… so now what are your 25 things?
I just discovered your blog (via my friend Deb Miner’s blog), and I’m hooked! I’m a faithful follower, and so now I am one more in your audience that, just by letting your know how much I enjoy your blog, will add a little more pressure and guilt to your days now that you know I am waiting to read your next delightful entry!
It is so true about the mixed results produced by the social networking phenomenon of the Internet. Where will it all end?
I guess I better go update my blog….