Social Media Reconsidered

Topics: John Sumser, More2Know, by John Sumser

HRExaminer v1.18 for May 26, 2010 Social Media Reconsidered| FeatureSocial Media Reconsidered

I’m in the middle of a social media siesta. I’ve toned down my participation in Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other online communities. It’s an experiment.

As an early adopter of the technologies and one of its strong proponents in the recruiting industry, I wanted to test my perceptions. What happens when you step away from the powerful swirl of online interaction?

I’ve always argued that online interaction is the new literacy. I’ve encouraged all of the children under my care to spend a lot of time online. In general, my perspective is that reading and online interaction are one and the same. All of the kids have become both great readers and regular users of social media.

But, it’s easy to drink your own bathwater.

In Australia, there’s a wonderful cliche about a “self licking ice cream” (SLIC). A SLIC is an object whose only purpose is to consume itself. (or, more subtly, a self fulfilling prophesy). In my experiment, I wanted to see if social media was my self-licking ice cream.

Very clearly, social media is a game that rewards the players on the field and penalizes (or simply ignores) those who are not immersed. Social media rewards those with the time and interest to engage in self-promotion. When you pull out of the fray, it moves on without you.

It reminds me of the idea that “you can never put your foot in the same river twice”. The flow of social media is fast and all encompassing. But, it seems, it’s just a river.

It’s a tool for some people some of the time.



About the author

John Sumser

John Sumser is a principal analyst for HRExaminer, an independent analyst firm covering HR Technology and the intersection of people, tech, and work. John’s mix of experience over the course of his career gives him a broad and unique perspective on the industry. Like anyone trying to process a lot of information, he is two or three steps ahead in some areas and still learning about others. Sumser’s work includes deep research into the nooks and crannies of HR Technology to identify and explain rapidly evolving trends. Built on a foundation of engineering, design, and philosophy, John’s seeks to understand and advise clients on where their technology works best, for whom, and in what context. Each year, John examines the insides of hundreds of companies, their products, and ecosystems. He delivers vendor analysis by building the framework from which to deliver the critique. He is constantly connecting and making visible the front end of change. He can help you see the path of evolution and the risks on the journey. The HRExaminer is Sumser’s vehicle for understanding and explaining the inner workings of the industry. With three weekly podcasts, and written commentary, he covers emerging ideas, the state of the industry, and the executives who operate it.

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