Spot on Danny. I am trying to actually teach my kids about online discernment. Since we are now in an environment where literally everyone can have a voice / forum or whatever does that mean that people will stop lying about stuff? Not likely. Good chance it will increase.
Dark view of humanity? Nope, not at all. Just realistic. There has never been a more critical time in history for caveat emptor. It is on US to see if what we buy is what we claim it is or what we need it to be, not just what the salesperson claims.
Danny
· 8 months ago
Agreed, Frank - while social media and all the claims of transparency are a great lead-off point, we still need to take responsibility for confirming what we're told.
Beth Harte
· 8 months ago
VERY creative Danny! I got a kick out of how you drew us in to make some very valid points. I think it also points out how historically we've done business and how that's changed. Bravo!
I agree with Frank, caveat emptor will be a huge part of business (more than ever before). That's why authenticity, trust and relationships are important more now than ever. And those relationships can't just be online...the combination of online & offline will make for the strongest of relationships.
Danny
· 8 months ago
Thanks Beth - always wanted to be a storyteller ;-)
I think this is where the offline connections will prove to be an even bigger draw than the online ones. It's pretty hard to disguise lies when you're eye-to-eye with someone - not so difficult when it's just an avatar.
LJ Jones
· 8 months ago
One slip up, and years of earning trust can be lost or at least set back. The goal is to strive for consistent efforts that build and maintain trust over time. We also need to remember that Google remembers everything and social media has changed the way/speed at which we communicate. So thinking before acting is ever more important.
Danny
· 8 months ago
Good point, LJ - while you may feel you've deleted an error, someone somewhere still has it. And they might not always have your best interests at heart.
Jac Star
· 8 months ago
i'm an individual... should i rein it back?
pffft - i like being off the wall... and i've been called on it too
as an individual people need to know what they are getting into and not take everything so personally, no?
Danny
· 8 months ago
There's definitely the need to remain individual. But how far do you take this individualism?
Do you think, "Psht, I'll say what I want and damn the rest", even if it's hurtful and degrading to another party?
Or do you think, "Okay, I can still have my voice but am I really comfortable with what I'm about to say"?
I think there's a line, and although it may be fine, it's one worth considering before opening up to the world.
Jac Star
· 8 months ago
well it brings it back to your other point - if i wouldn't say it offline, i wouldn't type it online either
i know my line, i just think it might be further than the standard lol
James A Woods
· 8 months ago
I'd happily say everything and anything I say online offline as well. Makes life easier if I stay consistent across the board. I'm not markably different online than off, at church than at work, at home than at the grocery store.
Doesn't mean I don't say really boneheaded things once in awhile; just means I don't have to worry about someone "finding me out." There's nothing I say online that I wouldn't want a potential employer, a friend, my wife or my pastor to see.
Brett Borders
· 8 months ago
You totally had me there with the Russian tangent.
If you asked many PR / social media people to show you their front page coverage - many would come up dry.
Some don't have much to show, but even the very best consultants run into the problem where the "big" client won't implement what their advice and it doesn't work out right - and they can't turn it into a perfect case study. This happens very frequently.
But people with real experience will be able to show you proof (or at least lots of convincing evidence).
Amanda Beals
· 8 months ago
Danny
Have you read Cryptonomican? I thought you may have lifted a chapter out of that novel or another cyber punk tome. Brilliant.
I concur with Jac Star. If I wouldn't say it offline, I won't say it online. I am less inclined to believe that people truly discern a quantative differnence in their offline and online behaviors.
Then again, I am also a fan of Tony Soprano.
Tim Jahn
· 8 months ago
This is such a relevant topic these days, in journalism, education, and just every day life. Can you use Wikipedia as a source in a research paper? Do people trust the Chicago Tribune more than someone tweeting about something happening on Michigan Ave.? Who does the average Joe believe more, the 6 oclock news or all of the above?
All Comments
Dark view of humanity? Nope, not at all. Just realistic. There has never been a more critical time in history for caveat emptor. It is on US to see if what we buy is what we claim it is or what we need it to be, not just what the salesperson claims.
I agree with Frank, caveat emptor will be a huge part of business (more than ever before). That's why authenticity, trust and relationships are important more now than ever. And those relationships can't just be online...the combination of online & offline will make for the strongest of relationships.
I think this is where the offline connections will prove to be an even bigger draw than the online ones. It's pretty hard to disguise lies when you're eye-to-eye with someone - not so difficult when it's just an avatar.
pffft - i like being off the wall... and i've been called on it too
as an individual people need to know what they are getting into and not take everything so personally, no?
Do you think, "Psht, I'll say what I want and damn the rest", even if it's hurtful and degrading to another party?
Or do you think, "Okay, I can still have my voice but am I really comfortable with what I'm about to say"?
I think there's a line, and although it may be fine, it's one worth considering before opening up to the world.
i know my line, i just think it might be further than the standard lol
Doesn't mean I don't say really boneheaded things once in awhile; just means I don't have to worry about someone "finding me out." There's nothing I say online that I wouldn't want a potential employer, a friend, my wife or my pastor to see.
If you asked many PR / social media people to show you their front page coverage - many would come up dry.
Some don't have much to show, but even the very best consultants run into the problem where the "big" client won't implement what their advice and it doesn't work out right - and they can't turn it into a perfect case study. This happens very frequently.
But people with real experience will be able to show you proof (or at least lots of convincing evidence).
Have you read Cryptonomican? I thought you may have lifted a chapter out of that novel or another cyber punk tome. Brilliant.
I concur with Jac Star. If I wouldn't say it offline, I won't say it online. I am less inclined to believe that people truly discern a quantative differnence in their offline and online behaviors.
Then again, I am also a fan of Tony Soprano.
As usual, you got me thinkin' Danny. :)