Did You Know? A Glimpse into Technology’s Evolution.

YouTube – Did You Know?

Fantastic video on the progression of information technology.

Spreading the “Good News” and Building the Church of Social Media

My good friend Emma was recently working at the AUSA (Association of the United States Army) annual meeting where she promoted the Army.mil site and shared with attendees how they are using social media to disseminate their message. In a recent conversation, she told me that the phrase “We’re just helping spread the good news about Twitter’s impact” kept coming out of her mouth; she had even managed to sign some attendees up for Twitter on the spot so that they could follow the Army’s updates (@USArmy).

Spreading the good news. If you’re familiar with Christianity, the Bible commonly refers to “Good News” as the message of Jesus Christ. Followers were and are still instructed to share with others this Good News because it is important for life.

We can relate this idea to spreading the “good news” of Social Media. I’m a huge advocate for Twitter, blogging, and social media in general. I tell my friends to join Twitter all the time, especially those on the verge of graduation and those in the professional world. I was “converted” last spring by my friend Carla (and Twitter guru @carlastephanie ) of Life Before Noon. Since then, I’ve worked dutifully as a disciple to win over new converts (go with me on this analogy…).

Why is it so important that other people use Twitter, blog, and engage in social media? Personally, I believe it legitimizes those of us who actively engage in these activities. For example, if you come across a new band that you really like, you typically tell others about them in the hopes that they’ll tell other people and eventually, this band will be selling records and climbing the charts. They are only successful if people know about them and engage in their music.

Similarly, Twitter and social media becomes very important once people realize its necessity. Having been a skeptic before, I know that people out there think it is an unnecessary waste of time (I know I did at one point), but once I “saw the light” (so to speak), I wanted to tell everyone about it and how it can improve their lives or professions.

I was having coffee with my friend who is a graphic designer/photographer (check out his Flickr site) last week and I mentioned Twitter and my blog. He asked me why they were so important, why I was so into social media. I explained to him how social media has helped me begin to develop my personal brand, make valuable contacts, and has given me an outlet to learn new things.

A week later…he’s started a blog and is on Twitter (@DannyJackson). Send him some messages and congratulate him on joining the community of Social Media.

Do you think it is necessary to spread the “good news” of social media? Why?

Held Hostage by Gen Y

Having navigated myself through an internship at the worlds largest record label and currently one with the worlds largest live events promoter, I’ve come to learn the ins-and-outs of how interact with music industry Exec’s. 
Some will kill you if you even look at them.
…well, not really. But you certainly learn quick who to avoid eye contact with, and who to ask for a recommendation, etc. 

I’ve noticed a funny dynamic between my generation and the older generation that primarily comprises many executive positions in the industry. Older exec’s often have to rely on us Gen Y’ers because of our savvy technology skills. 

Right now, I’m the VP’s assistant’s intern and I often fill in for my boss and play assistant  every so often when she’s out. The VP is definitely one of those guys you avoid eye contact with, don’t really talk to until he’s ready to talk to you, and make sure you don’t let his phone ring more than 3 times. He’s definitely intimidating, but nice. Above all however, he is very busy.

A few weeks ago I was being his assistant when I heard a frantic call from his office asking me to come look at his computer screen.

 

“My tool bar is broken!”

 

What?

“It’s stuck! I don’t want to lose anything important!”

I stood there staring at his screen for a few seconds trying really hard
to figure out what was so dire. Then it caught my eye…

 

His taskbar had been moved to the right side of his screen and he couldn’t figure out how to move it back to its original position (see figure A).

Wow.

“Oh, you just need to drag it back in place.”

He takes the mouse and fails miserably. I think he is so overcome with visions of the “blue screen of death” that he is really incapable of understanding how simple, “drag it back in place” really is.

I ask if I can use the mouse and show him. 

“Just like this”

…and I proceed to simply drag the taksbar back in place.
 

[cue brief and awkward silence]

 

“Oh…thanks.” he responds.

I think we’re both a little embarrassed for him. 

“Yep, sure thing,” I respond as I scurry out of his office, praying I can prevent any snickers from escaping my lips. 

 

Whew, all in a days work for this music industry intern.