The topic on 3 Talk with Noleen, today, was Social Media, blogging and Facebook. She had Arthur Goldstuck on her panel as well as a bunch of other names that I didn’t catch. The panel addressed a few issues that I would like to highlight and comment on.
Facebook Affecting Productiviy
Facebook affects productivity during work hours, period! However, it depends on the type of business you are in. The Times use Facebook and other Web 2.0 sites daily to stay abreast as South Africa’s top interactive news paper. Metropolitan Health Group is using Facebook for recruitment and many others for marketing and business. If I have to use myself as an example, my productivity is extremely high with Facebook because Facebook is my business. It all depends on your industry and what you’re looking to achieve with Facebook.
Facebook Affecting The Youth’s Social Lives
If anything, Facebook helps the social lives of youngsters. It allows us to organise events and invite hundreds of people within a few hours. We can communicate at anytime of the day or night and organise to meet up offline. We’re seeing a huge convergence of “geek” and “jock” culture amongst the youth all over the world. We’re growing up with technology and using it to our advantage. Don’t be jealous because the early adopters and youngsters use it so well.
Personally, I have not seen one case of “cyber-bullying” on Facebook. I am in contact with a large number of youngsters on a daily basis and have not heard nor seen anything of the sort. However, I do agree that someone being denied to become a person’s friend on Facebook or not invited to an event can be slightly damaging to ones self esteem. I also think that Facebook can be used effectively for stalking, that is why I suggest everyone check their privacy settings.
Confusing The Viewers
This wasn’t a topic, but something that I picked up on and it bugged me slightly. The gentleman from MyDigitalLife confused the viewers with way too many buzz words. Terms such as blog, plog, vlog and mlog. He then went on to say that we make them up as we go along. This makes me irate because it gives some people the impression that the industry is very confusing and unorganised. No offence to the gentleman, he knows what he is talking about, but why not just use terms like picture blog and mobile blog to make it easier. Everyone is already confused with the term blog, lets not make it even worse.
Your Say? The Conversation Continued..
I would like to hear your thoughts on the show and what was said or on what I have written. Maybe I have missed the boat a little or jumped to conclusions.
There were a few of us watching the show and passing comment via Twitter, namely Jason Bagley, Steven and myself.