Comments on: Is Social Media The Ultimate Buzz Kill?

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:22:08 +0000

I absolutely agree that being more concerned about documenting and/or recording an event does remove you from that event.

As a freelance photographer I spend countless hours covering college and pro sporting events. Friends are constantly asking me about specific games and plays but in most cases I have no recognition of any of those events. Why? Because I’m so focused on making sure I get the shot.

I used to take my camera along to shoot my daughter’s soccer games. Once I realized that I wasn’t sharing in the joy and excitement of the games, I put my camera down. I encourage anyone to try this sometime. Take pictures for the first half of an event but then put your camera down for the remainder. As a spectator or participant, you WILL notice a significant difference.

By: Kids Connecting » Learning conversations

Kids Connecting » Learning conversations — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:38:04 +0000

[...] me, if there is a killer application for social media, it doesn’t lie in the realm of grown-ups. It’s not about business or marketing or [...]

By: Thinking Schools - Think. Be curious. Collaborate.

Thinking Schools - Think. Be curious. Collaborate. — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 07:09:57 +0000

[...] me, if there is a killer application for social media, it doesn’t lie in the realm of grown-ups. It’s not about business or marketing or [...]

By: Stilgherrian · Links for 13 July 2008 through 17 July 2008

Stilgherrian · Links for 13 July 2008 through 17 July 2008 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:50:32 +0000

[...] Is Social Media The Ultimate Buzz Kill? | Awake At The Wheel: Are we becoming so addicted to telling people about what we're experencing that we actually forget to experience it? [...]

By: allan isfan

allan isfan — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:31:09 +0000

I recently attended a huge music festival in Ottawa Canada. I was there with a bunch of friends. Normally, after a particularly great performance, I would lean over to one of my friends and share my excitement “OMG that was incredible”. I can now easily do that with friends all over the world that via twitter. So if you’re an artist and you see me on my phone … I’m probably just telling the world how great you are and getting you new fans so stop the whining!

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:33:39 +0000

I think it has a positive impact. But then again it does suck up quite a bit of my time.

By: Dana Seilhan

Dana Seilhan — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:50:37 +0000

Those bands are SO right. I’m an amateur photographer, and I find that if I go to a local event with a thought to looking for material for stock photography, or even just want to get pretty pictures from my day, I am not participating in the event or even really there mentally for my daughter (her dad’s usually with us so at least he’s interacting with her a lot). I like getting the pictures but I know I’m missing out too–it’s hard.

By: Jim Carlson

Jim Carlson — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:42:54 +0000

I experimented with mobile blogging during a road trip and found that there were many times where blogging about what’s going on simply can be a distraction. Kind of like the ‘tourist’ photographer who misses the trip because he is more concerned about getting the best shot…. It is a balance thing.

By: SOB Business Cafe 06-27-08 - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas . . . You’re only a stranger once.

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:53:36 +0000

[...] Is Social Media The Ultimate Buzz Kill? [...]

By: Sue Murphy

Sue Murphy — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:50:01 +0000

I think social media has the opportunity to enhance one’s experiences, if used correctly. Blogging and particularly micro-blogging allows us to share our experiences in an immediate way, to reach out to other people and draw them in to the overall experience.

There are limits, however. Twittering every single aspect of one’s day is not necessarily a good use of the tool. Although it can sometimes be entertaining if presented in a humourous way, knowing every intimate detail of someone’s life is not high on my priority list.

What I do enjoy is how these tools allow us to reach out to others and engage in discussions, and make connections, however brief they may be. That can be a source of inspiration and motivation.

Healthy amounts of microblogging do make a valid contribution to the space, in my opinion. As long as it’s done in such a way as to not detract from what’s going on in your offline life.