The Internet Talks Back

CONTEXT. We see interview clips on the news or photos in magazines everyday that are used out of context.

This word context becomes even more relevant now that we as a society community and interact on the Internet.

We share very personal pieces of information whether that be on blogs, facebook, twitter, etc. However, context in these virtual spaces doesn't self-identify according to expert Lawrence Lessig.

This idea sort of scares me. How do we ever fully understand all the data that is present on these social networking sites. Will my friends take my status messages or twitter updates out of context, could this possibly hurt my friends... where does the damage end?

Today, our lives are so crazy, we don't really have time to put virtual messages in context anymore. Does that mean there is a lot more mis-communication in our world? Isn't the internet supposed to provide better communication?

We no longer have boundaries. Therefore, I encourage people on social networking sites to be careful about the information they are disseminating about themselves and their personal brand.

The less questionable information we put out there, such as the inside jokes, pictures, etc, the more likely our lives won't be taken out of context online.

A Second Chance at Second Life

As many of you know, I created this blog for a social networking & business class I am taking for my MBA. As class winds down, we will be finishing up next week with a virtual class in Second Life.

Sadly, I am no stranger to Second Life, this will be the second class that has required me to use the program. Let's just say, it didn't go well the first time.

Click here to read about my first experience.

I'm going to try and remain open-minded going into my class next week. I often have bad first impressions, so I'm hoping that was the case with Second Life.

The first time I used Second Life we were merely asked to attend an event, as the official assignment. This time around, we will be doing virtual learning.

Virtual worlds as a classroom... 10 years ago that would have never been imaginable. In a previous blog post, I asked if companies would no longer require office space... now I wonder if we even need campuses and universities (sort of like University of Phoenix).

I absolutely loved my undergraduate experience and would never want to replace it with a virtual classroom. Even the face-to-face experience I had in classes with professors made my college experience what it was.

I once again ask, where do we draw the line with new technology?

I think Second Life should be used as learning enhancements rather than a replacement. This type of virtual world isn't for everyone, but I do hope my experience next week will be better that than my previous experience.

Erin the Online the Brand

I can be my own brand! Wow, that sounds powerful, scary, and hard all at the same time.

I never thought of myself as a brand until I read The Brand Called You. I wasn't particularly into the specific content of the article, probably because I was too sidetracked thinking about my brand...

How am I representing myself in the virtual world? Do I have a strong brand? Will employers want to hire me? Have I made strong networking connections through my online brand?

So much to think about now that "my brand" is online.

I guess I would characterize my virtual brand as what appears in my google search. You will quickly learn that I'm a runner, work at American University, and am getting married in
November.

Do these three things represent my brand accurately?

I guess they have to, because it's the first thing people learn about me virtually or when potential employers do a search.

In the touchable, livable world (not online), I think I have a much different brand. I don't talk much about wedding planning... whereas you might think that is my life from my online presence.

How do I make sure my true brand is present online?

I hide my facebook profile, so that's out. I don't have much on my linkedin account, expect for basics on my career history (clearly time to beef that up). Twitter, might be the most accurate representation I have of my brand online. It shows my personality and uniquness 140 characters at a time.

Maybe I truly need to identify myself more when blogging. Companies like Marriott and Southwest are able to represent their culture well through blogging. This could be where I need to step it up, to make sure "my brand" is well-articulated and well-represented virtually.

In that case, it's time to start a sports blog...

Not everyone has an iphone

... or even a blackberry for that matter.

Seriously?

This is shocking news to me.

How do people check their email at all hours, BBM friends, play brick-breaker, and check the latest basketball score?!

My iphone is seriously my lifeline. I cannot remember life without it (which was only six months ago because even I was late to the party on this awesome gadget).

We have become so attached to our mobile devices, that sometimes, I'm not sure we remember their main purpose - making phone calls.

I personally don't have a land line, so my iphone should first and foremost be my phone... but it's not. It is more like a best friend, that does everything I want it to.

I recently read about a phone called the Helio. This device scares me. There is a feature that lets you track your friends whereabouts (with there permission of course). I'm sure there is also a similar iphone app, but is this really necessary?

Have we already begun to cross the line with mobile devices? Now I can stalk people, great.

If we wanted to make mobile devices more effective, in a good way, they would have the capabilities to be our metro passes, credit cards, and car keys as well. This idea isn't too far off, since it's already being tested in Japan (I believe).

At the beginning of this post I thought people were crazy for not having blackberries, iphones, and other "smart" phones. However, maybe I'm the crazy one who needs a mobile device to keep track of my friends.

I'm afraid maybe I've crossed over to the dark side, since I find it acceptable to return a voice mail with a text message.

I want my old cell phone back so I can remember what a human voice sounds like.

Don't trust anyone over 40

Mark Bauerlein you've done it! I've been provoked.

Mr. Bauerlein, author of "The Dumbest Generation/Don't Trust Anyone Under 30" has it all wrong.

In response to his book, here are 8 reasons not to trust Bauerlein and his generation:

1. Every generation includes someone you can make fun of. Bauerlein calls out Jay's "jaywalkers" because he scared of all the 20-somethings wandering around with post-graduate degrees who are going to put him out of business.
2. Today's students have far more homework than your generation. I don't think you had three hours of homework a night as a second grader. If children today aren't reading, why is there a Harry Potter craze and a Twilight craze? Why are 20-somethings joining book clubs at an increasing rate? It's your generation that is illiterate... illiterate when it comes to finances, hence the personal finance crisis in our nation.
3. My dad can't spell. He's almost 60. (I'm not saying my dad is dumb, he's a very successful businessman and he got there without winning a spelling bee).
   
4. If you send me paragraphs over IM, yes I will make fun of you. There is a time and place for academic writing. Social media is not that place.
5. It's all about hand-eye-coordination. Thank you video games! Not everyone goes into professions where they sit at desks and write books. Interactive games exercise the mind.
6. The Internet provides us with more information than the traditional library. Because of this, we are expected to know more and I do believe going back to point #1 and the increased amount of HW, that our generation is learning more, especially about the mistakes of older generations.
7. Parents don't check bedrooms at night to see if their kids are off the computers because parents themselves are working 24-7 with their blackberry's. YOU are setting the example.
   
8. Your generation had more of an opportunity to get in trouble. You weren't trackable. Twitter, facebook, text messages, mobile phones... today we know where everyone is.
   

Did this provoke you at all? If so, share some other reasons why no generation can ever be classified as the dumbest.

Anyone Can Be a Someone

When the Today Show picks up your wedding video and then The Office recreates it --- you know you've made it!



Communication is no longer a one way street. Top down messaging is away of the past. With web 2.0 and social networking, consumers get their voice heard.

Actually, it goes beyond just getting their voice heard, consumers, now get an equal say. Who's in control of the message now?

Jill and Kevin got their message all the way to the NBC executives... controlling the media cycle for a brief moment in time (more time than many companies get with their products).

Companies need to be part of this conversational marketing. They must react to what the consumers want, but at the same time be apart of the message through social networking.

Companies cannot afford to not have a social media strategy, now that anyone can control the message.

Everyone has a voice on the web. Anyone can be a someone.

The Empty Office

I am fascinated by this term "crowdsourcing" coined by Jeff Howe.

A community is no longer about being in a single location at the same time. The virtual world is making it possible for people with common interests to come together, to partner, to collaborate without every meeting - changing business as usual.

Mr. Howe uses the example of stock photography in his you tube video. He examples how stock photography, once an expensive rare commodity, has become abundant and cheap and can be done by amateurs.

Is this idea of crowdsourcing going to mean we no longer get hired by a company, sit at a desk, and work our 9 to 5 p.m. jobs?

Will careers be virtual, an open call?

Honestly, I'm a little nervous about this concept.

Will we lose face-to-face communication and in person communities altogether?