January 22nd, 2007

“Social media” is distinct from traditional media

Ãœber-blogger Steve Rubel’s Micro Persuasion web feed is usually one of the first I read.

Today, Steve calls time on “a bunch of terms” he signals are now completely unnecessary. These include “social media,” “user generated content” and “consumer generated media.”

Now, clumsy they may be, but unnecessary? I don’t think so. But Steve continues…

Do any of these matter any more? I dislike all of these words and have stopped using them. Eric Hansen proposes we go with new media but that doesn’t quite work either. The reason is it’s ALL media.

The lexicon will hopefully change… We are all media, period.

Judging by the reaction of those commenting on Steve’s assertion, many also disagree (in fact, the majority… at least when I last checked in at 3:55pm). We do still need to differentiate between the “old” broadcast way of doing things and the “new”, more conversational.

The Mexico Tourism Board certainly didn’t get it (and probably still don’t). If anyone has the time or inclination, just check out my previous blogging cause, which I now frequently use as a case study.

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By Steve Bridger filed under social media

Technorati after wilma, micro persuasion, nptechuk, steve rubel

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2 Responses to ““Social media” is distinct from traditional media”

  1. Designing for Civil Society Says:
    January 24th, 2007 at 12:31 pm

    Home truths about technobabble and social media…

    A few weeks back I was getting a bit over-lyrical with a group of friends about the world-changing potential of blogs and other social media, and the buzz from conversations with other enthusiasts around the globe. Words like feeds, tagging,…

  2. Ron Mader Says:
    January 24th, 2007 at 2:12 pm

    A good friend in Jalisco told me that a conversation occurs when two people listen. And we all know what a challenge this can be – online or at home.

    Afterwilma was a superb site, as was mexicanwave. That said, they used technologies that were new to many of us and by the time we understood the jargon and the possibilities, the sites closed down.

    Don’t get me wrong – most tourism boards use the ‘broadcast’ method are are perceived as ineffective by travelers and local travel businesses alike.

    What’s missing is a proposal to explain how to best use social media at the grassroots level.