It has become clear to me that some people are becoming way to dependent on various social media tools. They seem to be forgetting that we were connecting, sharing and interacting with people long before we had all these shiny new toys.
This past weekend Twitter had an outtage. I found out about this after reading several angry blog posts about it on Monday morning. I had no idea it was going on because I was outside most of the weekend with my family. I’d twitter from my mobile phone, talked to a few contacts on the phone and e-mailed back and forth with friends over Sunday coffee. But, in that whole time I had no idea that Twitter was down and honestly I didn’t care.
Many of these tools are part of my life and business, but at the same time I think we shouldn’t forget our basic human nature of conversation one on one with people. Just a couple of years ago how did you stay in touch with people? You sent them an instant message, dropped them an e-mail, picked up the phone or even perhaps wrote a good old fashion letter. Remember those things? I actually wrote one last week because it had been so long.
I’m not slamming any of the social media tools and toys. They are fun and help me connect with people that I’d never be able to without them. But, at the same time I can’t say I’m dependent on any of them to get through the day. Sure, I might not know what a friend is having for breakfast or be able to see what another contact is thinking about a conference they are at, but I can live without that. I can go about my day without stressing over missing something. I’ve always said that if something is important enough and interesting enough that it’ll eventually get on my radar in some fashion.
The next time something like Twitter or Facebook goes down don’t freak out, bitch and copmplain. Take it as a sign to turn off the computer and do something else. Read a book. Get some fresh air. Catch up on all the other tasks that I know are on your to do list somewhere. There is always something else that we could be doing.
I’m watching as people get more and more glued to their screens and seem to be forgetting the rest of the world around them. Try not to do that. There is a lot of great stuff your missing.
4 Responses to “Don’t Forget the World Around You”
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April 22nd, 2008 at 6:35 am
Yeah, CC, we know, thanks for the reminder, though!
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:42 am
I agree. It seems that to many, you NEED media to be social. Through events like Social Media Breakfast, we’re hopefully pulling people away from their screens long enough to establish lasting face-to-face relationships.
April 29th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
I would have to say that the internet has provided us with so many great tools that allow a broader connection between friends and Entrepreneurs. Its exciting to see what has happened and what will happen in this space.
Twin2
www.ToBIZe.com
May 16th, 2008 at 9:41 am
If I could add an additional observation related to your rant — When I make a new connection with someone whether business or personal, I always follow up with a hand written thank you. I like doing this because I want him/her to know that I value his/her time, and I want to say thanks for giving it to me.
The fact that a lot of people do not do what I just mentioned validates the dependency you’re talking about. It takes time and energy, consequently it’s easier just to shoot an email, or text.
Frankly, in the business world, when people remove the “personalness” from their communication, they end up positioning themselves in an unnecessary disadvantage against their peers and/or competition as a result. Bottom line: people will remember your actions, when we do something that’s unexpected… you get where I am going with this.
Marshall O’Brien
http://wwwc3teambuilding.blogspot.com
http://www.c3teambuilding.com