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June 23, 2008

Old People “Get” Social Media — Woodstock Was Social 3-D

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 9:37 pm

Grandma Has a Computer

The Living Web

Experience has value.

Every generation thinks they’ve invented the latest deal. I know we did. I know my grandma did too. My dad’s saloon reminds me of what folks do on Twitter everyday.

The value of getting older is that there isn’t much you haven’t seen in some form or other in the years gone by.

Old People Don’t Get Social Media

I caught this statement in a discussion elsewhere. It went something like, “I don’t think people over 40 get social media, whereas kids love it.” Having seen this sentiment mentioned before, I thought I’d express my feelings on the matter.

I’m 50 years old. I get the whole social media gig. It’s like Woodstock on the ‘Net, where people gather together for several minutes, days, weeks, months and years to hang out, talk, share, listen to music, run around naked and slide in the mud.

What social media doesn’t offer people of my generation is face to face communication. It doesn’t let us hold hands, sing or hug. Instead of raising our lighters as a token of respect and homage to those we admire, social media offers voting and “thumbs up” buttons. There’s no thrill there. There’s no rock and roll. Today’s version of social is “read this, read that”, vote on it, follow or unfollow, friend or unfriend, get answers or be completely and utterly ignored even though you know you’re there. . . .

They may never know you showed up. Not only that, to participate, you have to give out personal information and obtain a password. You need to configure settings. Its a lot of work just to hang out with people you don’t even know and annoying as heck when you simply wish to stay in touch with a few you do know. If someone spots you, everybody wants to be your friend.

Pot used to do that too.

– Kim Krause Berg

The entire blog post is a great read.

I know that relationships are where you find them. We’ve talked plenty about that. And I’m not about to give up my social tools, but I think, Kim, has a point about what’s missing from the mix.

They say it takes 10 years to make a VC.
Maybe it takes even longer to make a social media expert.
I wonder where Guy Kawasaki would weigh in on that question.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
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12 Comments to “Old People “Get” Social Media — Woodstock Was Social 3-D”

  1. June 23rd, 2008 at 10:47 pm
    James from Babyspot.com said

    EXCELLENT!!!! Great post! Wow! My mom actually gets social media….she is on facebook and on twitter! She is 52 and I am very proud of her being open about social media….thus she is very supportive of me in my efforts to grow a BabySpot.com She is very active on facebook and has created baby profiles on BabySpot for her grandchildren…..WTG MOM! lol

  2. June 23rd, 2008 at 10:57 pm
    Loraleigh Vance said

    I agree with and enjoyed Kim’s article for the most part, and not just because I’m in the older age group.

    As a self-employed single person with no dependents, life gets fairly quiet at times. For the most part I like it that way, but as Kim said, some days I’m not sure anyone even knows I’m here.

    While you can’t beat face to face contact for the good vibes and groovy feelings, life is what it is.

    Each new generation does what they do however they do it and I believe it’s up to the rest of us to flow with it as best we can.

    As weird as it may seem, I swear I can feel a person’s intent over the internet. Who knows, maybe we’re headed into that new dimension (or is that dementia - lol)

    Thanks again for another great post.

  3. June 23rd, 2008 at 11:08 pm
    BawldGuy Talking said

    I’m thinking maybe Kim has it just a tad wrong.

    With shortened url’s we can send each other music videos, pictures of all kinds, and for all kinds of reasons, and be private if we wish.

    We introduce friends to others. Sometimes it takes, sometimes not, just like the real world. I think you of all people, Liz, have already seen how these places, (twitter for example) bring folks together in a real sense. I’m better you’ve already made some real friends.

    Certainly I don’t suggest it comes close to rivaling your dad’s saloon, ‘cuz nothing takes the place of the 3D world. Even in the 3D world, few places would compete well with the saloon.

    What’s been happening all over the country is the tweetups (Lord I feel silly even typing that word). I’ve talked with folks, in person mind you, who’ve twitted an invite to anyone interested in hi-tech to meet us at such and such a bar for happy hour. 90 minutes later? 16 strangers are laughin’ and scratchin’ with something already in common.

    Am I missin’ something here?

  4. June 23rd, 2008 at 11:13 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    YEA! James!
    That’s the kick — when we’re in it together!

  5. June 23rd, 2008 at 11:15 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Loraleigh,
    Life in person is good. Life on the Internet lets meet great people we’d never get to meet.

    As long as we keep the people at the center of the equation, it all works.

  6. June 23rd, 2008 at 11:45 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    BawldGuy,
    Did you just write that?
    No you’re “getting” it, I think!

    The only thing you’re missing is the lame, sheep-throwing at Facebook. :)

  7. June 23rd, 2008 at 11:48 pm
    BawldGuy Talking said

    So far i’ve successfully avoided FB — much to everyone’s irritation. :)

  8. June 24th, 2008 at 1:43 am
    Ulla Hennig said

    I think that you can do one thing (using the internet for building up relations with other people) without stopping the other thing (meeting other persons face-to-face). I myself are in the 50ies and I know a lot of people who are in the 70ies, who are fascinated by the possibilities of the web on the one hand and on the other hand enjoy meeting other people personally.

  9. June 24th, 2008 at 5:06 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Bawldy Guy,
    I still hear you sitting by the campfire humming the words, even if you’re not sing out loud. :)

  10. June 24th, 2008 at 5:09 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Ulla!
    Though I so enjoy meeting people in person, it’s the time that we take to know each other that is meaningful to me.

  11. June 24th, 2008 at 11:02 am
    BawldGuy Talking said

    That one got me laughing out loud.

  12. June 24th, 2008 at 11:04 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Say it ain’t so, Bawld Guy!
    Say it ain’t so. :)

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