This morning I presented social media to a board of small business owners, and at least one in attendance expressed an absolute belief in the death of social media as a means of connecting and networking.
I would laugh it off, but then again I never saw MySpace clawing back up out of the grave. Let’s consider some factors which might incur the playing of Taps for social media:
- People are starting to care again about privacy. With the recent $%&@#% debacle regarding the NSA and warrantless searches into the digital communications of Americans etal, it’s entirely possible internet users might – just might – come back around to prioritizing privacy over publicity on social media. There has even been talk about the privacy value of snail mail.
- The social media giants are getting too – well – gigantic. When you’ve got players like Facebook and Google hosting and controlling your online activity, you may not realize how little power you have as a lone user. Doubt me? Have you ever tried deleting a Facebook account? And let’s say you succeed; don’t you dare make the mistake of clicking Like or Share on another news story, because whoosh – it’s all back up and running again, and thank you very much for reactivating your Facebook profile!
- There will always be that holdout you need. You will inevitably come across connections, friends, or colleagues who will benefit your existence in some way, and they would-not-could-not-should-not join social media. You’re going to have to lift your hand from the mouse, pick up your phone or car keys, and make contact in a more personable way.
I know what you fellow social media addicts are thinking right now: “If someone I want to know isn’t already on social media, do I really want to know them at all?” Been there, thought that. But then I woke up to the reality – and so will you, hopefully – that your very best social media connections are going to be grounded in real-life associations. Even a Skype call with someone can add that dose of reality that makes a social connection go farther.
Naturally I have no intention of getting out the spade to dig social media’s grave right now. But I do wonder if, like legwarmers and shoulder pads, the touchy-feely aspect of human relations might ultimately trump tweets and pokes.
(This post in no way endorses the use of leg warmers or shoulder pads in one’s wardrobe, though the jury is still out on MySpace.)