The Ironic Musings of a Neo-Luddite Blogger

I’m back! Amped up, ready to go … blog posting #2 (career). You might have guessed based on blog posting #1, Hello Blogosphere (Goodbye Movember), that I am not a techie kind of guy. To be honest, I have difficulty even embracing “everyday” gadgets like smart phones or laptops. True story: My phone is a several year old LG flip phone that I acquired begrudgingly and free as a hand-me-up from my little brother. I say begrudgingly because if they still existed anywhere, I could probably get by on 75 cents per month using payphones.

But even now, my phone bill is only $10 per month (+ tax) and it serves all my needs. It makes me seriously wonder how much more value anyone could possibly be getting out of a $200-$400 “smart” phone.  And at the rate these things become obsolete, should companies really not just be giving them to you in exchange for the additional $100 per month payment you’re already making just for the privilege of using it?

“Ah but!” you’ll say. “The phone is not just a phone, it’s also a computer that lets me shop online, check facebook and follow Charlie Sheen’s twitter account!” Okay, fair point I guess – if not for the fact that you probably also carry around a laptop or tablet for that very purpose. And if you feel any of those things are really worth your time. Mobile online shopping, for instance, just seems unnecessary (and says something about gross hyper-consumerism). As far as rampant social media goes, I’ve never really understood the fascination. I have no Facebook account, yet I don’t seem to be lacking for friends. And I don’t tweet, as there have been few worthwhile statements ever made in 140 characters or less (and I don’t believe the average tweeter is capable of mastering the art). I do have LinkedIn, but only because you can’t get a job anymore without it.

Now as for blogs … do I sense some potential here? The opportunity to express full, complete thoughts? To inspire real dialogue? Maybe there is a place for me in the too often superficial world of cyberspace. I feel like Christopher Columbus, discovering something millions of people knew about before me!

… And yes, for the sharp ones out there, that last line was a Simpsons reference. Expect a lot of those from me; I use them frequently and shamelessly.

I suppose my real issue with social media is not the general idea of it, but the volume and shallow content that has frankly grown out of control. People (and businesses) with nothing to say are providing the same useless updates about their lunch plans and whatever else on not one, but three or more different media channels. This is ludicrous behavior, and if you’re a business it’s also harmful. I know everywhere you turn people are telling you that social media is a must for engaging your client base – and they’re probably right. But it has to be done well. It has to be relevant, interesting, and absolutely should not be used for directly selling something. I’m not going to provide tips for effective social media (it’s obviously not my strong suit), but if you want to find out more, there’s an interesting article in the Burnaby Board of Trade Membership & Resource Directory.

So remember: use social media responsibly; buy new technology critically; and argue with me! Let me know what’s so great about all this new-fangled, feel-good online sharing!