Social Media...

[OnLookin08]

Am I just young or are other people just that old and don't understand this stuff? (edit: I'm young and grew up with social networking, as if to prove my point about this some people weren't picking up on the sarcasm)

Regardless of the eventual outcome or what might actually be true or not with all of these rumors, I find it ridiculous how social media is playing such a huge role in all of this.

My reasons for why people who take facebook and twitter posts as sources are idiots:

1. Any one with internet can do this stuff
2. You can't read tone, emotion, or intent with this stuff in many cases (everyone has had the email or post taken the wrong way)
3. twitter@hotnheavyhawkeye, if your source includes "@" enough said
4. its kids or at best young adults that highly utilize this stuff, I don't trust them not to spit on my Whopper let alone provide information
5. Just like their high school and college essays, the information they provide with their posts are rarely original and are probably something someone else said and they just copy and pasted it as their own.

Again, this might all shake out and be true, but can we at least wait to hear facts instead of tweets?

 

[PlanoHawk]

It may not be that you're just old- but you obviously don't understand social media if you find it ridiculous. Your list is actually pretty good- just remember to use your keen skills of evaluation when listening to the rumors.

 

[storminspank]

Like "regular" media, it all depends on your source.

 

[RADMAN]

Am I just young or are other people just that old and don't understand this stuff?

Regardless of the eventual outcome or what might actually be true or not with all of these rumors, I find it ridiculous how social media is playing such a huge role in all of this.

My reasons for why people who take facebook and twitter posts as sources are idiots:

1. Any one with internet can do this stuff
2. You can't read tone, emotion, or intent with this stuff in many cases (everyone has had the email or post taken the wrong way)
3. twitter@hotnheavyhawkeye, if your source includes "@" enough said
4. its kids or at best young adults that highly utilize this stuff, I don't trust them not to spit on my Whopper let alone provide information
5. Just like their high school and college essays, the information they provide with their posts are rarely original and are probably something someone else said and they just copy and pasted it as their own.

Again, this might all shake out and be true, but can we at least wait to hear facts instead of tweets?

I totally agree with your post. I have been saying that for the last year especially on HN. The posters are generally new and obviously young. You get that from some of the questions they ask like "who is ??". And the number of posters that sign with TX or CY or Bucky in their names. Anyone can start a rumor and the "do you still beat your wife" turns into a fire storm in minutes. Not saying their isn't a place for this media, but you really have to ask why is it necessary to have your social life completely wrapped up in media and not human contact.

 

[PlanoHawk]

Like "regular" media, it all depends on your source.

VERY well said!

 

[PlanoHawk]

I totally agree with your post. I have been saying that for the last year especially on HN. The posters are generally new and obviously young. You get that from some of the questions they ask like "who is ??". And the number of posters that sign with TX or CY or Bucky in their names. Anyone can start a rumor and the "do you still beat your wife" turns into a fire storm in minutes. Not saying their isn't a place for this media, but you really have to ask why is it necessary to have your social life completely wrapped up in media and not human contact.

To be fair, some of these "new posters" can have some decent information because of relationships they may have on campus or other areas. That being said- lots do not and are putting out BS.

 

[silvanthalas]

If you dismiss social media so easily, then yes, you probably are too old or just don't understand it.

 

[Iowafarmgirl]

If you dismiss social media so easily, then yes, you probably are too old or just don't understand it.

Or you have a life.

When I worked in corporate America, the desk jockeys were on Facebook all day while the people who mattered didn't.

 

[PlanoHawk]

Or you have a life.

When I worked in corporate America, the desk jockeys were on Facebook all day while the people who mattered didn't.

Yea, I'm not going to call you out on this too much as I respect your opinion but that isn't the case. Social media is more than just facebook or twitter and those that matter are all over it- especially in corporate America.

Just to give you an idea... some reports (not just a random twitter post) are that by 2013 more people could be using the internet via smart phones than PC/laptops and many of them use it for social media to engage with their customers.

 

[Iowafarmgirl]

Yea, I'm not going to call you out on this too much as I respect your opinion but that isn't the case. Social media is more than just facebook or twitter and those that matter are all over it- especially in corporate America.

Just to give you an idea... some reports (not just a random twitter post) are that by 2013 more people could be using the internet via smart phones than PC/laptops and many of them use it for social media to engage with their customers.

Fair enough, but I don't believe that for a second. I'd be interested in a source to read more though. There are very, very few businesses where you need to be in constant communication customers. I worked in radio advertising for two plus years, basically in ad sales, and I can't fathom trying to tweet my customers all day. Adult business, business where many thousands of dollars trade hands, does not take place on your Facebook wall.

 

[silvanthalas]

Or you have a life.

I'm on Twitter and Facebook. I play video games. I read books and comics. I'm on this message board.

Of course I have no life.



I guess that means Jon has no life either. Nor every other sportswriter or every man who now uses Twitter because they recognize it's value in spreading information far faster than a newspaper, a website or even a message board could ever hope to.

The geeks have inherited the earth.

 

[Iowafarmgirl]

I guess that means Jon has no life either. Nor every other sportswriter or every man who now uses Twitter because they recognize it's value in spreading information far faster than a newspaper, a website or even a message board could ever hope to.

The geeks have inherited the earth.

Jon works in a business where getting information to a large audience in a hurry is important. Incidentally, he is also in a business where breaking a story is more important than accuracy (although Jon places more emphasis on the latter, which is why he has spent his day erasing rumors from social media).

Most of us don't need to reach a large audience immediately. Most business is not doen between large groups of anonymous people. The average HN poster doesn't have a need to let his "friends" know that the Slurpee machine broke and they can get free blue raspberry until they run out.

 

[storminspank]

Or you have a life.

When I worked in corporate America, the desk jockeys were on Facebook all day while the people who mattered didn't.

That's stereotyping at its finest.

 

[DesMoinesHawki]

Am I just young or are other people just that old and don't understand this stuff?

Regardless of the eventual outcome or what might actually be true or not with all of these rumors, I find it ridiculous how social media is playing such a huge role in all of this.

My reasons for why people who take facebook and twitter posts as sources are idiots:

1. Any one with internet can do this stuff
2. You can't read tone, emotion, or intent with this stuff in many cases (everyone has had the email or post taken the wrong way)
3. twitter@hotnheavyhawkeye, if your source includes "@" enough said
4. its kids or at best young adults that highly utilize this stuff, I don't trust them not to spit on my Whopper let alone provide information
5. Just like their high school and college essays, the information they provide with their posts are rarely original and are probably something someone else said and they just copy and pasted it as their own.

Again, this might all shake out and be true, but can we at least wait to hear facts instead of tweets?

Nice post my friend. I have stayed away from the boards for a couple of days and then came here this morning to check on all the "rumors." All low and behold, several posters did not let me down with their Jerry Springer-esque posts and speculations. Comical.

Social media is taking over and it will only continue to influence our lives. The thing with social media is people can share information faster than ever before, making it easy for rumors and speculation to fly. "My friend just tweeted he saw Coach Stoops walking through the Miami airport." Next thing you know, some online outlet picks it up and the rumormill starts to take root.

You still have your select people in the know. But, mostly what you have is average fans with keyboards and smartphones who can spread their "rumor" in countless places.

Notice how many posts that start with "I heard that ..." ... Or "my friend told me ..."

It is just the nature of the beast that comes along with all of the great things regarding social media.

Best advice, let the experts report the news. Let's not try and go out and create the news on our own.

 

[silvanthalas]

Most of us don't need to reach a large audience immediately.

Then you should have quickly realized that we were not talking to you, your opinion has no relevancy, and you shouldn't have bothered to post.

Feel free to head back to your ever-enjoyable water cooler now.

 

[PlanoHawk]

Fair enough, but I don't believe that for a second. I'd be interested in a source to read more though. There are very, very few businesses where you need to be in constant communication customers. I worked in radio advertising for two plus years, basically in ad sales, and I can't fathom trying to tweet my customers all day. Adult business, business where many thousands of dollars trade hands, does not take place on your Facebook wall.

To the in bold comment... you dont- you have multiple content contributors. People who are the subject matter experts in their space, similar to how Jon and Stormin' break things up. The social media coordinator/manager just acts as the facilitator.

And not all business takes place on the facebook wall I will agree, but a blog that you may read is still a form of social media thought leadership. My company for example does large-scale industrial products where many MILLIONS of dollars changes hands, not just thousands as you put it... and has led us to orders... thank you.

 

[OnLookin08]

Please allow me to clarify my initial post, in fact this clarification helps make my point...

My opening line seems to be misunderstood. It was a bit of sarcasm that wasn't pick up on, much like I stated often happens when it comes to this social media stuff.

Anyway, I am very much of the generation that has grown up with this stuff. I got Facebook back when I was a freshman in college and only colleges were allowed access.

My point was that not old or not, but that some people don't understand that things people put out on the internet aren't any more of a source than the rumors and gossip once told around the water cooler. Yes, it can potentially be credible. However, it often is not and I hate that people are running around citing them like they've found the atlantis of sources.

 

[Hawkeye101]

Social media is here now and not going anywhere. With that said, it simply allows for the rumor-mill to go into hyper-speed and those who engage in the "I thought I head that he might have said" type of communication to go all out in spreading what they hear.

You have to know your source and based on my experience, it's really no different that most office gossip or other rumor-spreading. Most people have no idea what's really going on.

It will be interesting to see how many retreat on their rumor spreading once the facts come out.