Author: Alasdair Munn
People, myself included, like to talk of shifts in ideology and the complexities that go with transitions from an older, more predominant ideology towards a newer, more relevant one. I’m not sure this achieves much other than producing a smug group of self-labelled enlightened ones and a larger group of people who don’t really care and don’t see the point of changing in any case.
The problems with self-labelling are all too evident. A couple of months back there were a plethora of blogs and discussions within social media circles as to what makes someone a social media expert. A great question and one that cannot be adequately resolved as social media is a vast discipline with many nuances and parts. Who can really define what is essentially a fluid ideology, changing faster than it can be documented? Even if we can and do document it, what are we measuring it against?
So it is a bit like getting hold of a pilots uniform, swatting up a few technical terms such as landing gear, flaps, ADF and HASELL check, walking onto a plane and announcing “Good day I’ll be your pilot today”. However in this case we have not completely defined which airplane it is yet. (I agree not the best example but I’m hoping it will paint a picture)
Are we, as self labelled social media practitioners helping to create the problem? Should we be less frustrated with the pace of change and stop waiting for people to catch up? Should we be seeking labels and descriptions that make sense to the people we are selling our services to rather than ones that alienate them further? Listening to them, understanding their concerns and finding out their objectives would be a great starting point.
I just get the sense that not enough is being done by the “enlightened ones” to close the gap. After all, most of the frustration about the slow pace of change originates from the people who are paid to effect that change.
Photo by Darren Hester
It is indeed curious to happen upon sources, blogs, articles, etc. that either explicitly state someone as being a social media expert or at least, by dint of the content they are posting, imply that they are “enlightened ones”.
Perhaps the “slow pace of change” is not so much due to a lack of effort to “close the gap” but more that, in certain cases, social media practitioners tend to limit their focus and reach within a somewhat esoteric (versus widely understood and accepted) social network.
My sense is that social media will always have its practitioners and explorers, and these folks will lead the charge in bridging the gap. While self-professed gurus and the like will always have their dedicated following, their credibility may only be limited to their follows—and perhaps this is what they intend it to be(?)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, Alasdair. – Autom
Excellent points, Alasdair. Self-proclaimed experts are all around us. In fact, perhaps in response to that, in my mind I’m starting to distinguish between ‘chat’ (talking about the changes) and ‘collaboration’ (emergent behavior of change agents in complex systems).
Clearly there is much energy and interest in social media. We are among the many early adopters.
But to your point, and Autom seems to agree, some will have to step out on the limb, if true innovation is to occur. Staying with the pack, while safe, is not the place where innovation occurs.
I see money as being part of the problem actually, certainly being played out now in the U.S. relative to Healthcare reform (as an example). Money causes those who are objective to be less so. If they become overly invested in outcomes, it is difficult for them to be open minded on alternatives. That may be the secret sauce of SMCHAT on Twitter. Everyone there is a self-selected contributor, bringing insight and perspective with a goal of building (a.) strong relationships and (b.) greater understanding. We are leading a conversation about how the communication paradigm is shifting, without anyone proclaiming a word about credentials.
I think that’s the way it needs to work.
Not sure I’d be comfortable in the cockpit of an airplane (to your example). But I have an optimistic view. I think exciting changes are starting to happen, and I think thought leaders everywhere are becoming empowered in game changing ways.
Looking forward to our next conversation. I have some ideas to share in the expansive area of ecosystem change.
Chris (@SourcePOV)