Tag Archives: Social

Is Google + a Social Site?

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I’ve now been using Google + for about a month and I must say it’s slow moving. At first I was super excited, but it’s not keeping my attention. I don’t know why? I have a lot of Acquaintances, but my friend Circle’s are a little poor. Is this a good sign, I don’t think so. Yes, I have friends! At least I thought I did. Even my wife won’t be my friend on Google+.

It seams to me the only people using Google + are people like me. They’re in some type of business where Social Media is part of the job description. I work for Printing Center USA, marketing, sales and social media. Here’s an example of what I’m talking about. Hardly any of my friends that are on FaceBook have signed up. I know that only so many people have been getting invites, but come on if you really want one, they’re plenty of ways to get one. Do I blame Google for this? Maybe.

Google +

Google’s reputation isn’t Social, and now they’re trying to take on FaceBook. I’m not sure if it’s working. I know, there is already over 20 million users or some crazy number like that, but that means nothing to me. My family, and friends don’t even now what it is. My mother in-law thought she knew what it was but then realized she had read about some other Google thing. Google doesn’t care about being a Social Site, what they want is a place where you and the rest of the world can shares their interests, so they can take that and make money. By coming up with some new algorithms for the Google search.

FaceBook is doing the same thing selling ads and has been for a long time, but like any company you need to make money.  I can honestly say the only reason I ever started using facebook was to connect with family and friends but at least at first it was started with Social intention.

What would John Muir have to say about Social Media?

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“When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” Founder of the Sierra Club, John Muir, devoted most of his life to the preservation of the Western Forests. And this quote is a good example of how he saw modern technology changing the way people lived their lives in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. So what would he say now about Social Media? Here’s my best guess.

John Muir

Muir wouldn’t be in the forest trying to get a signal on his Iphone or Droid. Like I was this weekend when I took the family camping in Lincoln, Montana. (Yes- Lincoln is where the Unabomber’s hide out was. But that’s is another story and no I have never met him.) At first I felt something was missing. Not being able to check FaceBook, Twitter, Google + and etc. For two days, I had no idea what PrintingCenterUSA’s fans, followers and acquaintances where doing? It took me a couple of hours to adjust and I actually gave up and turned off my phone. Yeah! The only time my phone is off is when I’m flying or the battery dies. But, the truth is, it felt good. Why?

Driving to Lincoln Montana.

I don’t know exactly why, I just felt a sense of relief come over me. It’s not like I don’t enjoy my job handling Social Media, it’s just that it is always there, on my phone easy to check, easy to respond…I didn’t even realize I just needed a break. “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” Muir is correct. Today is Monday July 18th, and I feel refreshed. I spent time with just my wife and daughter and didn’t include all of my social network! And with that break, this morning I couldn’t wait to start posting, tweeting and writing this blog post.  Refreshed, revived and ready to socialize.

So, to answer my first question, what would John Muir have to say about Social Media? He would probably say Social Media isn’t bad, but that everyone deserves a break to focus on life’s simple things family, friends and nature without the distractions. So I encourage everyone out there to give themselves a break from their phones, the Internet and stop trying to interact with the world around you and just take a little time to enjoy it… just for a little bit!