Okay, I’ve got a few things to get out, and I feel like typing. So here goes. Ready?
First of all…let’s talk about the ridiculous amount of cursing and swearing I see on Facebook and Twitter. Are we being serious here? I’ve seen more f-bombs in the last 15 minutes on Facebook than I care to count. Now listen, let me make something clear here - I swear. A lot, in fact. But I very, VERY rarely swear on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Why? Because as much as I’d love to be 22 again, the fact of the matter is that I DO care what people think of me - and that includes not having a potty mouth in a place where sometimes the only impression get of me is what they read. And for those of you who are 22, let me make this perfectly clear: It’s all fine and good to say you don’t care, it’s ‘your account’, it’s ‘no one’s business’, etc., but the truth of the matter is that more employers than ever are checking you out based on your online activity. Oh, you don’t care? Good luck with that. Here’s hoping you hang onto that lack of caring when you grow up and attempt to have a career in a few years’ time.
On a similar thread - parents of teens not paying a lick of attention to what they’re doing online: Get your act together. It might not matter today, but it’s going to. There’s no such thing as taking the pee out of the pool - what’s on the Internet is ON THE INTERNET. Soon they’ll be the 22 year old who’s unable to get a job due to their online personas, so maybe taking some stock and having a conversation about the fact that like it or not, appearances matter might be a good idea.
Next up: Social Media “Experts”. REALLY? Are we still using this word? Let me just make this part short and sweet, ok? If you’re talking to someone who refers to themselves as an “expert” in social media, I want you to consider this: It’s an ever-evolving, ever-changing medium. It’s not ONE thing; it’s many. It’s a set of tools, not a magic wand. Most importantly, anyone who TRULY gets what social media is would never in a million years refer to themselves as an “expert”. Not in a conversation, not in a profile, not on a website. Nowhere. By the way, if you want to see what’s going on in the social media world in response to this kind of foolishness, I highly suggest you go check out SteamFeed, which is an amazing group of people in the industry who are serious about changing the way things are being done.
Finally…intolerance. I’ve had way more than enough, and no longer will I stand for it in any way, shape, or form. If you’re someone who makes nasty, judgemental comments in my presence, no longer will I simply keep quiet or try to change the subject. I will call you out - and I won’t care who hears. I’m tired of “playing nice” with people who have no idea how to talk to or about others, who use politics or religious beliefs as a way to belittle and dehumanize others. It’s 2012, people - not 1712.
Sorry for being verbose….but my brain was full. :)
