An Actor Prepares

I attended a discussion group meeting this past January sponsored by my local SHRM (Society for HR Management) chapter. The advertised topic was something about social media. I had heard that it's all the rage with the kids these days. As both a business professional and the parent of an eighth grader, the subject matter was of great interest. Actually, I had a 3rd reason to attend, and it was personal.

I had been resisting the calls from friends, quasi-friends, casual acquaintances. and other serial networkers to join the virtual reality club, but my attitude was decidedly 20th century. "Increased volume of communication has led to a decrease in true connections between people." I had no facts, no data, to support my thesis. My facts were anecdotal stories of spouses emailing one another from across the same room. My data were tales of performance reprimands on the job being delivered via email by supervisors hiding behind their wireless keyboards. Messages were being sent, but rarely was the intended meaning being accurately received. The electronic nature of the process intervened, changed things en route.

I attended the discussion group with my normal dose of skepticism, ready to expose the social media fad as the Pet rock of the 21st century (Note: if the Pet Rock is unfamiliar to you, try Googling "money for nothing"). Instead, I was blown away by a YouTube video:

Oh, the irony.

Of all the facts and stats hurled at me during the 4 minute presentation, it was the conclusion that was not on the screen that impacted me most. I was acting like an old man. I was resisting the impersonal embrace of the times in which I live, clinging to the comfortable conventions of my youth. I mean, what's wrong with carbon paper, anyway? (Again, Google it if the term 'carbon paper' is foreign to you). I'm not sure I wanted to be the old guy yet.

So I am creating a Facebook page very soon - this month. Maybe I'll tweet, if all goes well. Perhaps a meaningful connection to someone, somewhere will occur. Perhaps my skepticism will be proven wrong.

I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
I hope that someone gets my
Message in a Bottle
Yeah
- The Police
Regatta de Blanc
Side One, Song One