This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

This is too easy peeps. In the words of Denzel Washington from the movie Philadelphia:

Now, explain it to me like I’m a four-year-old. Joe Miller

So, have you noticed @Josepf has not been around much the past month? Maybe not, I try to keep a touch on all of my virtual friends. However, have IRL’ing it away on several fronts (#usguys see here) and there is one simple key.

Be present.

Can I explain this using Buddhist precepts? Yes! How about Organization Effectiveness psycho-babble? Sure! Or wait, my all time favorite (Think the movie: How to lose a guy in 10 days) “Couples therapy” and “active listening”.

Instead, let me tell it to you like the 3 year old told it to me!

Got it? My girls, Arielle, Olivia-Jane, and Madeline hate it when we’re out somewhere and Dad’s texting, tweeting, or is in any other way distracted or not present.  You know if your present, they know if your present.  The one and only way to build IRL Klout is to be present.  In case you’re still not sure what this looks like?  Click read more to see, click through the picture for a larger size if it helps…

Thanks Lina for the reminders. And Diana for the photos. And for the rest of you who had to look? Go find a 3 year old. Tell them a made up out of your own head story. Or at least the Three bears. Get their attention, practice being present.

]]> http://phoenixstrat.com/blog/2011/02/from-the-mouth-of-babes-usblogs-usguys-week-3/feed/ 11 http://phoenixstrat.com/blog/2011/02/hashing-it-out-by-robert-ortiz-robertortiz-usguys/ http://phoenixstrat.com/blog/2011/02/hashing-it-out-by-robert-ortiz-robertortiz-usguys/#comments Wed, 09 Feb 2011 02:11:59 +0000 Robert Ortiz http://phoenixstrat.com/blog/?p=1201

“The most important thing to remember though, is that we’re all just humans trying to be human. We can’t sacrifice our humanity to gain points in the twitterverse.”
Chase Adams

• #Usguys Discussion Group Topic: Overuse of Hashtags in Tweets
• Start of “It” and Evolution of “It” and Working of “It”
• “It” 2.0 Knocks You Senseless and You Forget the Basics
• 2.0 Metaphors Abound – With Twitter “It” is TO THE TREES!
• Facing the Reality and Remembering what “It” is for
• Invoking Machiavellian Political Philosophy for Twitter Groups
• The Economics and Strategies Behind Hashing “It” Out
• Twitter House Rules: For Samurai and Ninja Both
• n00bs are LifeBlood—Don’t Be a Hater
• To Be Real in the Twitterverse—Be Realistic About Us
  

#Usguys Discussion Group Topic: Overuse of Hashtags in Tweets

A few weeks ago I participated in a morning discussion with #UsGuys that involved a round of questions surrounding the use and overuse of hashtags in tweets. Responses ranged from intellectual moustache twisting on how to capitalize on the hashtag discussion itself, to level headed apologetics on behalf of the pros and the cons, to sheer effusion of emotion capturing disgust for what can only be n00b violations of the sanctity of the discussion forum by wanton hashtag use.

I recognized the impetus for this discussion. Similar hashing has played out many times in the course of my life and I’m sure in yours as well. We have participated in these comedies and tragedies dating back a long time ago, when the stage of our lives first had to be shared with others. We have seen this hashing evolve with the times, beyond mere social settings, overflowing in a carefully masked way into the workplace mixing with the evolving technology in the early morning hours of the Information Age.

Start of “It” and  Evolution of “It” and Working of “It”

Think back to when your social life began to grow its complexities. Could have been earlier still—I’m thinking middle school cafeteria. Think about the “It” you encountered while in the throes of trying to find the right table to sit at. Business was eating, but so much more was going on there. Everything was going on there. And what table you sat at determined how cool your everything was. The tiniest living models of global politics and economics play out any day in any lunchroom. Where you first cut your teeth, and not just on left over chicken nuggets either! You earn or are burned by social skills early.

Do you remember stumbling into a Yahoo! chat room the first or second time and trying to be an angel in the choir? Didn’t take much to upset the delicate balance that had been created there before you came, did it? Didn’t take much to be ignored either or, worse, booted! Any newcomers had to be dragged through the hazing course before they were allowed to speak. Had to be dragged to earn the “e”—to earn the electronic equity. And then you could chat. Or whisper. And get what you came there to get. Because Chatroom chat was equity built out of nothingness by a few normally introverted folks who had found at last their Mecca.

(picture courtesy of n00bH8tr666)

Online message boards, same general play acted. Message board owners were not gatekeepers, they wanted everyone to come and drop lines and stories. But the proven story tellers who took time out of their day to lay down the law and build off each other’s storylines, knew there were only so many hours in the day these stories could be read, were not weak-hearted when came time to push aside, subjugate or blockade their competition—storywriters of newer generations. True, the more stories there were, the fewer eyes there could be on the veteran’s words. So not to be hijacked, out came the sword-words like “newbie” and “n00b” and hazing hazed on.

Then in the work place—end of the last decade, with proliferation of Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes rose a new age of business conducts and practices. Popular accessible technology created more than just office documents with greater ease. Also enhanced the facility of sharing documents, memorandums and other correspondence.

High-Technology had come to the workplace, but user manuals did not provide clear understanding of the proper etiquette for using these software programs. Now with the ability to draft and email memo documents was also the power of using electronic carbon copy (CC:) and blind copy (BCC:) in addition to the regular address.

Managers saw two concerns evolve from this technological advent. First was elementary—training staff with the skills to effectively communicate within departments as well as to other companies or parties and being mindful of whom else to include in the discussion. That CC: and BCC: lines were tools in and of themselves—had to be learned. Basic rules developed for when and who should be copied, as well as when it was appropriate or even necessary to use blind copy. Thus was born professional e-mail etiquette.

But folks being who they are—
the evolution was shaped too by hostility and cunning. And evolution became revolution. Subordinates learned how to outmaneuver managers using inter-office memo, showcasing feud or highlighting contribution, when they were sure their contribution would be claimed by the manager. Subordinates used CC and BCC tools to pull power players into discussion, either to be overseers (CC) or lurkers (BCC) and managers soon faced coup for control of the flow of department information. Niccolo Machiavelli did not have these exact concerns when writing about social and political intrigue, but he might have treated them just as well with the rhetoric he used is The Prince.

There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.
Niccolo Machiavelli

“It” 2.0 Knocks You Senseless and You Forget the Basics

Technology and Evolution.  Enlightenment and Golden Ages. Treason and Intrigue. e-Etiquette came to be a white hat’s manual and a black hat’s manual both. The world continued to spin. The sun continued to shine. And then Web 2.0 was born. Let’s all stop, stare and ask the etiquette question again. As if “It” needs rise anew to meet the 2.0 technology platforms, in which we include the theories of and tools for social media. And, to digress a quick minute, have we gone crazy with those theories? With such graphics, webevangelists seek, capture, command our attention and respect for the new light—touting magical properties of the new advent, like it wasn’t true that—at the heart of every communications advent from papyrus reeds through moveable type, up now to Kindles, there remains good group social behavioral principles that determine success of the group and the selves within.

Distracted by novelty. Distraction then uber-excitement. Distracted even when someone notices it’s happening again—Bubble Time! And just like a critical mass of investors who fall again into valuations traps, a critical mass of Web 2.0 users, caught in the novelty, swoon and forget the real-old-fashion etiquette that got us here to begin with—the stuff that put our inner cave dweller to sleep and gave us ability to form advanced societal groups, after which Here 2.0 was modeled. Swoon for the Kool-aid drink of it. New toys to play with—the how and why we play need to be questioned within each community of players? Yes! Got to bring ourselves back to reality after the new frontier swoon of wears off. We’ve been bonked. Give time to clear.

|Time| In mind now should be that the “real” world is congruent to the virtual world. Therefore the how and why we do anything in the virtual world should in some way be congruent to how we did and do “it” in the “real” world. At least as far as the basics are concerned. And with or without wearing virtual T-shirts afterward.

For “It” is not the end of the world. “It” is not the beginning of paradise either. “It” is Web 2.0. “It” is an hourly self-edited yearbook. “It” is singing from the trees. “It” is transparent thought “It” is more than that of course and more than a bunch of funky character limitations and text size variations to give each other new ways to think about the same old stuff. “It” is how we survived once we got out the trees and how we thrive together when we return to them.

Plenty #UsGuys know what “It” is regardless how often we hash it out in discussion group. We know how It-hash comes with wonderful highs and lows. We’ve been paying attention to the myriad splendor of real world and virtual world development. Just a few days ago, I noticed particular fondness for “It” in a virally classic form when #UsGuys member @aldsaur tweeted the name Leeroy Jenkins. Because it was…Wait—you never heard tell the Legend of Leeroy Jenkins?

Leeroy Jenkins and The World of WarCraft

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkCNJRfSZBU

World of WarCraft is another example where real group social skills focus in a new age virtual setting. This example features in action the Clan concept (#UsGuys call it Tribe) of working together and leveraging skills to overcome obstacles insurmountable by anyone member of the clan. But this mostly circumspect clan gets completely wiped out by the bad guys when one of its members, one Leeroy Jenkins, all 1-minute attention span of him—pops the cork early. Faux pas, Leeroy! Funny—because death or dollars were not truly on the line. Only time investment of 20 other people was lost here. But time has value too and that’s one reason why we hash “It” out.

2.0 Metaphors Abound – With Twitter “It” is TO THE TREES!

Twitter most of all the new forms of social networking tools makes “It” discussions interesting and enlightening. More so than figuring out how to get a word in during 7th grade lunch, noticed in Yahoo! chat, read in an about.com forum, or beyond mere wage slave pawn status in some nearly pointless department in some corporate office somewhere—more than these training grounds, Twitter puts “It” right in our face and calls itself exactly what it is and who we are.

For we really are birds twittering on about something or other. Ever just sat on a bench during lunch time and watch sparrows and pigeons play out the drama for you? Give it a shot then, the allegory draws itself. We sing and high fly in flock or gather seed while bopping along the ground. We fight for sustenance and attention. We huddle in groups and coo together. We sing out in the morning, afternoon, evening our own particular song and use certain notes that announce our affiliations. Wherever we choose to perch.

Hashtags that create discussion groups are our trees in which we perch and tweet from. The hashtags themselves are the names of these trees, living virtual trees with emergent identity. Doesn’t take longer than an hour in one of these trees to learn who’s who and separate wheat from chaff. Hashtag Regulars perch and Hashtag Tourists stop for rest on migration. Both types can add value. Who the alphas are and why. How to be a thought leader. Whether the group is bathing, hunting, or socializing. Who contributes value and who takes without giving—All facts made transparent by this new medium and age-old “It” deduction.

Facing the Reality and Remembering what “It” is For

The most important thing to remember though, is that we’re all just humans trying to be human. We can’t sacrifice our humanity to gain points in the twitterverse. Chase Adams

Of course we are not really birds. Though we may act like them in all sorts of ways. Most recent blog post I’ve read concerning maltweetment practices was “The Power of 140 Characters” by Chase Adams. Like the 140 characters format, this article is a very short exposé on the powerful nature of tweets. Moral of the story is one must always remember there is reality on the other end of the line. “It” is always a human reality you face in the Twitterverse. A small but important lesson he offers. Probably one easily lost on us all, for the grand irony of it, that from time to time this medium of social networking does tend to breed dissociation from our subjects in our minds.

This discussion may have several origins. The most positive origin I can think of is—what gives the Social Media world its shine—the passion for the drive to be transparent and to ever increase the quality and frequency of the sharing of our minds. Still wondering what Twitter is for? Just keep re-reading this last statement. I read a lot of Vonnegut last summer—from one of his non-fiction books is a line he includes from a conversation with his son who said, “Dad, I think we’re all here just trying to help each other get through whatever this thing is.” At the heart of any Twitter discussion group is this sentiment.

Invoking Machiavellian Political Philosophy for Twitter Groups

The distinction between children and adults, while probably useful for some purposes, is at bottom a specious one, I feel. There are only individual egos, crazy for love. Niccolo Machiavelli

Reason I invoked Machiavelli of all writers, is that his political philosophy better than most, probably, recognizes the reality that stands opposite his prince and principality. His seminal work is not a ‘this is the way the world should be’ manual but rather ‘that’s the way the world is so here’s about not getting overthrown in it‘ manual. Also there is a correlation between physical principalities and virtual principalities.

Read or re-read The Prince by Machiavelli.  If you haven’t already, you are missing out on one of the best comedies of all time! People are funny creatures—I know this is true in the 21^st Century and it seems to have been going on for all long time, according to the big M. Refreshing this philosopher’s advisory in your mind will sooth you, by and large, however it is you operate within a social networking group. The practice of adapting and expanding old-world thought to the virtual commonplace is now—the philosophies that got us to this point are ever-still useful.

The Economics and Strategies Behind Hashing “It” Out

Twitter discussion groups are both social and professional arenas where business practices and human behavior smash together in a no-where place, in a Utopia. The Utopia has value—and that’s the rub! How much time-energy goes into the creation of your discussion group? And how do you value your individual and collective time? Such questions are behind the anger impetus when it seems clear barbarians have stormed your gates. It is natural for folks who create and contribute to utopian space to want to preserve their invested equity in the making of the thing. Natural like a dog guards his bone. Might also be natural urge to draws swords against perceived invaders. An evolved response here is better than a natural one. Do not let the perception of invader determine your response.

There are social and economic concerns dealing with folks who stumble into your virtual space and chum your waters recklessly. Who drop drive-by tweets on your group’s eyes, heavy laden with irrelevant hash. Best strategy is to look for bright sides. Take heart knowing this set of Tweeters is here now and probably not coming back soon. Next time you see a tweet from a newcomer that says nothing without a pound sign in front of it—think about a man in a trench coat who walks up to the front of a room and flashes nudity and then runs out the door. Have a laugh. Because it’s funny.

Chase Adams’ message about keeping the human in mind will always be relevant in any social networking group, online or not—after that, the most important thing to remember concerning the myriad faux pas that can be done within 140 characters is that, just like anywhere you walk for real, folks fall somewhere within a social skills scale of 1-10. Twitter or not, some people just don’t get it. Some get it too much. That’s not funny necessarily, but it is fun. That’s why I’m at the table.

When your well-travelled popular discussion group is hijacked for a moment by tweets trying to draw eyes off to another ideal-realm—think how storefront retailers treat theft. They invest a little money in anti-theft measures, but mostly account for the theft loss in mark-up—which represents a particular attitude of acceptance for certain behavior patterns. Good business practice is to realize in advance the full cost of operating the business and account for it at the outset. Shrug off then with ease such things as theft or flood damage or what have you. Like with any good product or service, there will be imitation and knock-offs. Like with any genuine super predator in the ocean, there will be schools of remoras. Divine business practice is let them be. Consider the marketing spin of their presence and embrace these drive-by tweeters, a sign of your true worth in the social networking market. The more you have, perhaps, the more powerful you truly are.

Twitter House Rules: For Samurai and Ninja Both

Not that I don’t believe etiquette should be codified for social network groups. To ensure a focus on sharing and creating ideas and promoting them, a Twitter House Rules list is probably a good idea. Many popular forums keep tacked up etiquette posts for all newcomers to see. Discussion group originators and leaders should take charge and make an outline. Make it a funny list of rules—because good comedy along with some quality rules will enhance your recruiting, increase newcomers who commit less faux pas. But also Remember for every samurai there is a ninja, for every white hat a black hat exists. A list of rules or principles may eventually go just as far toward recruiting and training rule breakers as anything else.

N00Bs are LifeBlood—Don’t Be a Hater

When I see vitriol volley about on a subject such as multi-hashed tweets—I take the time to understand where it comes from because every problem requires solution. Yet I can’t help but think these concerns are raised by tweeters who are n00b-haters at heart and do not realize it. Nor do they realize the full detriment of being a n00b-hater includes dampening your group’s pipeline of new thought and activity. Remember the same thing happening in Twitter discussion group occurs in any lunch room in any grade school anywhere in any place and time. Occurs in the workplace. In locker rooms. In any social venue. Been happening all our lives. n00bs you want to block out for committing etiquette transgression, for scoring 1-5 on the Social Skills scale, are possibly those who have yet to find their lunchroom table. Their intrinsic value matters though—they are ships carrying precious cargo in search of port.

On the one hand it’s not worth losing sleep over. On the other hand is the fact that a proactive big-picture treatment of newcomers is most helpful to your mission. N00bs are the lifeblood of any organization, yours included. Some of these n00bs could become thought leaders within your ranks and increase the overall value of your group. Embrace them right and you will be rewarded.

To Be Real In the Twitterverse—Be Realistic About Us

Be Excellent to Each Other. Bill & Ted

If we are to be real in the Twitterverse, let’s be realistic about who we really are anywhere else. Some of us are funny. Some are serious. Some of us give. Some take. Most of the time we do both left and right handed things at once. Many hands make much work light. We are trying to be good most of the time too. And help each other through whatever this thing is. If we flub, we can always make it up. The first technology given us is Life itself—and I haven’t seen a total and complete manual for life lying around anywhere I’ve been. Have you? So let’s just tweet about them apples!

Now—let’s see comments from you Hashing “It” Out =P

Post by Robert Daniel Ortiz @robertortiz on Twitter

]]> http://phoenixstrat.com/blog/2011/02/hashing-it-out-by-robert-ortiz-robertortiz-usguys/feed/ 7 http://phoenixstrat.com/blog/2011/01/usguys-we-are-more-powerful-than-we-know/ http://phoenixstrat.com/blog/2011/01/usguys-we-are-more-powerful-than-we-know/#comments Sun, 23 Jan 2011 03:43:22 +0000 Josepf J Haslam http://phoenixstrat.com/blog/?p=1137

Written with Kenny’s permission and consent…

At 11:46 this morning received a series of DM’s from an #usguys Tribe member Kenny.  To help protect his family’s privacy am not sharing his Twitter Handle.  Yes, I do have his permission to write this note…

He lost a relative.  No wait.  His family member was killed in Kingston Jamaica.  Kenny shared this news to me whilst apologizing for  not submitting a Toast for the #usguys Philly meetup…  His family does not have many more details.  Kenny will share them once they do.  The family is flying down from New York tomorrow.  What he also said was this:

“You guys are great. Got up today logged in and got a lift straight away from all the positivity.  Thank everyone for me.”

So I posted 3 Tweets to the Steam and asked for a Moment of Respect.  Ending with “Please keep Kenny and his family in your thoughts and prayers. #usguys — moment of RESPECT”.  Variations of that were ReTweeted many times over the day in support of Kenny.  Received many DMs from concerned people about what was going on and how was Kenny and his family.  All of this taught me something important.

Am a super geek when it comes to technology, but also very faithful.  I do not need the “next thing”.  In fact will stick with a good thing until a compelling reason comes along to switch because of functionality.  Prove it? Had my Palm Treo for 3.5 YEARS before I replaced it with a Droid.  Yes, 3.5 years.  That’s like 35 years in Geek…

So now I love my Droid.  Snicker away iPhone users.  You have fashion I have functionality.  (love ya’ll anyway! no haters here!)  but today, I fell in love.  Check out the video and you’ll see why.  Only problem?  Phone is exclusively on AT&T.  Wow.  Might as well only be available in Egypt….  Sad so sad.  Motorola, you had me at hello and then lost me…

Washington Post: CES 2011: Motorola Xoom tablet, Atrix smartphone show future of mobile computing

Giz mag: The Motorola ATRIX 4G – a PC in your pocket

Crunch Gear: Best of Show CES 2011: The Motorola Atrix

Motorola’s web site: US ATRIX-4G Q1-2011

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD8CgBdGCZk&feature=player_embedded

All thanks go to Dane Findley!!!

The #usLiveWell science experiment works because Dane is working it!  Others, to be mentioned later are also “working it”.

Dane, thank you.

We looked at a bunch of different tools but decided to Keep it Simple (cause we’re not) Stupid.  Everyone has different goals and objectives.  Keep it Simple.  This group is for support, sharing, advice tips, and back-up.  We all need a little backup sometimes.

Why are we even doing this?  Click “Can Twitter make you fit?” for the post that started it all!  We are harnessing the Relationship power of Social Media to help us meet personal goals.  Its way cool!

We’re all learning!  We are doing this in 6 week Phases.   It takes about 6 weeks for a new habit to become established.  Toward the end of each six weeks period we’ll survey the people participating to see what else they want to do.  If the group or part of it want to get a little more formal or structured we’re down with that!  If some do and some don not?  We’re fine with that as well!

1. Register: sign in here (comment) or on Dane’s Blog
2. Become Accountable: partner up with one or more people!  Hold each other accountable!
3. Check-in: Check into the stream at least once a Day, helps to incorporate your accountability partner(s) in the post!
4. Announce Intent! Blog your goals! Or write them into the comments.  Writing down your goals is powerful!  For more on goals read this!
5. Give us feedback! Tell us what you think and how we can improve it!  We’re all in this together!!!!

Roster of Participants, supporters, and anyone seen in the Hashtag #usLiveWell

Simply the list of people seen on the Hashtag #usLiveWell since January 4th:

Twitter makes me feel a little like Forrest Gump.  Who are all these people and why are they following me!?

At first I was thrilled! yea!, look someone is following me!  And it was mainly good.  Sure, I had some Bots offering me Russian Brides and free iPads.  But, I go to NYC fairly often and get even more interesting offers from Street Vendors (that isn’t really chicken is it? and no, I don’t want to support your cat, and, um, others…)  For the most part I thought is was great!

Oh, look new follower.  Click through their profile, see what they Tweet.  Hmm, broadcasting, linking, #teamfollowwhatever, scroll scroll, ok, nevermind on this one.  Oh, wow, killer SEO insight and a RT conversationalist, Follow.  I even found friends, yes Dan, real friends.  Several groups of people, most notably #UsGuys, but also friends at #oneshotwednesday, #haiku, #fourwords, #genychat, #imcchat, #gogyohka, #poetparty, #theprompt, #Tweetdiner, #usLiveWell and even on #mbtweetrace!  I started to snowball with followers.

Check out Twentyfeet.com and ask for Martin. They are working on the “why” and have other interesting Social Media Metrics Visualization tools and dashboards under development.

So in a month I doubled followers and the curve is pretty tight so in another month and another.  Well two problems.  One, I believe Social Media is really Relationship Media. I do not want to become a “broadcaster”. (just not my thing) Two, where am I going to find the time to screen all these new “friends”?

(ID blurred to protect from sharp-tongued poets)

Ok, I took it like a man.  You know, blinked back the tears and soldiering on.  The Conversation even turned to should I get multiple Twitter IDS and Tweet Poetry on one, #UsGuys on another.  Helpful people DM’d me saying they’d follow my Sybilian other accounts.  I guess I need one for my family and one for #Ideachat and maybe another for #usGeeked, oh and I really probably should have one for when all the other’s are in #Twitterjail.

But, wait a minute?  Isn’t that what I use Tweetdeck for? Oh yeah, it is!  So now I’m on a mission to teach people how to use tools and Hashtags.  Check out one YouTube Video on how to configure Tweetdeck for LinkedIn here.  I hardly ever look at the “all friends” stream in Tweetdeck.  I’m hanging out in Hashtags on Tweetdeck on the PC, Android, and iPad (can I say iPad here without a Borg swarm of Bots offering me dubious links?).   Take a look below (click on it to blow up real size).

If you do want to follow me or even better, know someone who does please use Hashable.com Hashable will let me know who we know! You need an Invite to join the Hashable Beta and I’ll be happy to send you one.  For more information go to: Why I Love Hashable! The screenshot below shows a recent Hashable #Intro.  I see who introduced us and what followers we have in common!   This is so much better than scroll, scroll, scroll!   Can read their Bio, click through to Twitter or follow back right here.  Hit me with a #justmet if we’ve become friends on the Stream and you want to officially mark it!   The #justmet tag gives us a link with similar information below. (again, you have to be “in” Hashable’s beta for this to work.

Thanks Michele @prosperitygal for the #Intro to @Brianwilliams

#justsaying, I do warn people that I’m for experienced Tweeters only.  Because I have multiple interests.  Think of Twitter as a Big Conference, like #CES.  Watching my steam is kinda like trying to listen to 10 presenters at 9 different booths at once.  Way too noisy and its just gonna give you a headache!  Step into one of the booths (Hashtags) and hang out with me for a while.  Maybe you’ll feel like Joseph Omansky does if you do:

And for that I bought him a beer on http://www.yougotbeer.com (ok, I have other reasons too)

Try a Tool! I use Tweetdeck but hear Hootsuite & others are OK.

Want a free Event Ticket to Social Media Marketing 2011 Vegas on Jan 12th?

My friend @LewisPoretz on Twitter is offering up an “event” only ticket to the most interesting or compelling story found here:

What 3 words will Focus my posts for 2011?

Learn: The hallmark of human intelligence is learning from other people’s mistakes.  Experience is something you get just after needing it!  Can we use Social Media like Twitter to learn faster?  Am going to find out in 2011

The Social Media Addiction

Yes if you get addicted to Twitter you sit unmoving for hours responding passionately to people you never met.  Still better than Zynga’s Farmville or Mafia Wars addiction! (or is it?)  There are many documented studies about Social Media Addiction

• Social Times: 5 Ways to Fight Social Media Addiction.
• Pamorama: 48% of us check in bed.
• 6ABC.com: Battling Facebook Addition

So Social Media is bad, right?  No! Social media is like any other tool or technology!  The incredible power can be used for good or evil.

I was pondering the Power of Social Media as I sat dark and lonely in Twitter Jail.  Yes, Twitter has a Jail.  Apparently if you Tweet too fast or too often within a certain period of time Twitter temporarily cuts you off.  So, dark, lonely, fingers starting to twitch I DM’d (Direct Messaged) Dane Findley or @Danenow.  Dane, found here, is a self proclaimed health nut who owns two Juicers.  New years day and I’m sitting in front of the computer NOT WORKING OUT.  I decided it was time to harness the power of Social Media for good.

Twitter is great for accountability.  Many corporations and people have found out the hard way that exposure on Twitter can be very powerful.  In my case we have a little community called #UsGuys where people have formed relationships and check-in with each other all of the time.  Could the idea of a “workout” buddy be used on Twitter?  Hmm, public humiliation and tons of people razzing you about not meeting your goals?  Sound pretty powerful to me!

So the power of accountability that Social Media (and Twitter in particular) can bring.  Combined with an Accountability Partner/ Group?  I asked Dane if he would do a science experiment with me.  He, of course, instantly got it and said he’d be an accountability partner.  I thought about it some more whilst rotting away in Twitter jail and Tweeted it once I got out.  Other people likes the idea and we free-formed the #UsGuys 2011 Fitness Program coordianted by Dane Findley.  (another awesome job!  I came up with a killer idea and someone else is going to work it! — just kidding its win/win all the way around)

So how does this work?  We have no idea!  We’re just forming it up!  The basic gist is that the individuals will blog post their own stuff.  They can keep it as private of public as they’d like.   Dane is willing to be an accountability partner and have people check in with him.

For my part I’ll go more public.  The thought of being ridiculed by our own Old Spice Man @taariqlewis is pretty strong incentive to stick with it.  I will create a separate log  or blog section and post progress.  Dane will stop by to encourage me.  Milestones will go into his blog as well.

Leave you ideas HERE in the comments!  In the next day or two Dane (with a little help from me & whomever) will form it up some more!  2011 here we come….