The Aftershock of Social Media
A while ago certain parts of Columbus, Ohio felt the aftershock of an earthquake in Canada. It wasn’t just Columbus it was actually several surrounding states. I happen to be on Twitter when the aftershock occurred (I didn’t feel it). I am amazed how fast word spread of the Columbus earthquake; within minutes my Twitter stream lit up with people talking about the Columbus earthquake. The great thing about
social media, and Twitter specifically, is the access to instantaneous news and feedback. In a way we are all journalists now recording our own unique experiences via multiple online platforms. I knew about the earthquake way before my co-workers did and they were shocked I got the information so quickly.
After the Twitter/quake experience I started thinking about how an earthquake is a great metaphor for the social media landscape. For every social media advocate there’s at least one social media hater (if not more). Us advocates have felt the social media earthquake and we see the way it’s changing communication and community. The social media haters don’t feel the earthquake; they see technology as a burden or a means to hear meaningless details about people’s lives.
There is something to be said for taking time to investigate technology and to see how to adapt to it and use it in a meaningful way, but social media isn’t new anymore. It’s time to get on board and get involved in the social media conversation and community. How do you explain to your non-social media friends why social media works for you and how it’s impacting your life?
» July 2nd, 2010 | Social Media
anna@aharperhess.com
Add me as a friend on Facebook 
Follow Me on Twitter!
My Linkedin profile 
Subscribe to my blog
Well said Anna! I really enjoyed watching the news flash before me on Twitter. I am definitely an advocate too!
Funny Anna. I was driving to Charleston, SC and happened to be Charleston, WV when I started seeing the earthquake comments on my Droid.
I agree about getting on board and joining the social media community. I think it’s somewhat generational. I just read an article (in SC no less) about Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and Millennials. The main point was the Millennials have grown up with technology always being available and everything was more open because of it. Boomers certainly didn’t have this and Gen Xers had it after a time. Now, I’m not being ageist as I am NOT a Millennial and LOVE social media and it’s networks, communities and opportunities.
I try to educate people by sharing things I’ve learned, people I’ve met (like you), and opportunities for business growth coupled with traditional marketing efforts. Social media is still relatively new, but the basics of the underlying marketing efforts by businesses haven’t changed.
I could debate this topic forever!
I’m sure you know that. Great thinking post.
Well written Anna!
While I tend to embrace change and the value of technology, sometimes along with my fellow Baby Boomers I pine for something lost in the transition.
Letter and card writing: a thoughtful message-gift that arrives in the mail.
The comfort of holding a newspaper, brochure or book and the feeling that the written word is tangible, substantial.
Solitude- the ability to be unreachable in your day to day life.- I know I can control this but somehow it is more difficult now and being unavailable is not as accepted or respected in the age of technology.
Common courtesy – not to be interrupted by a device during a face to face human interaction.
The benefits of social media and communication technology do outweigh the burdens but I think as a society we still need to find balance and work on the etiquette.