Connections

Connected

mikemjensen Life's Truths Tags: , , 1 Comment

Hey Kids,

I woke this morning to a comment to yesterday’s blog left from half-way around the world, from Australia. The author and I have since exchanged a few comments on each other’s blogs and as fate would have it, he’s a motorcycle guy.

I find it amazing the reach that an individual can have. The world has become so small in terms of communication. One’s words can find themselves from a little apartment in Utah to any place in the world. To be alone or isolated seems an impossible feat anymore.map_of_the_internet_by_tophthetomboy-d348wf0

And yet, despite the close proximity all IP addresses share, we are able to be individuals now more than ever. To be unique, to embrace a relatively minority passion such as a motorcycle is OK. I can still be Mike from Utah, an American. I can still have my own ideas of how everything works and yet still find commonality with others on small specific topics. If someone is adamantly opposed to me, they can move along. Life’s too short to bicker.

It’s an incredible world we live in. The more we connect, the less we want to remain separate. The more we understand different points of view, the less we care if we’re red or blue. The more we discuss what we love and learn what others love, the less we need to discuss what we dislike.

Even with all the trouble in the world, this, I believe, is a great time to be a part of it. And the makings are here to make it even better for the future.

I hope we use our new possibilities to broaden friendships and expand humanity. I hope I get to meet more of the world.

 

Day 45

An Angry Bird

mikemjensen Vanity, Worthless Observations, Writing Tags: , , , , , Leave a comment

images (3)Hey Kids,

I’m not exactly angry, but kind of sick of the crap.

I joined Twitter some time ago, several years ago. Long enough that many told me they didn’t “get” Twitter and how weird it was. Since then it has obviously blossomed to incredible numbers of people and incorporated into everyday life.

I did have a motive; I joined Twitter to connect with other writers, publishers, and people in the know of writing. The links and conversations taught me a ton about the publishing world and the world of writing, which are not the same.

I never thought of Twitter as the means to sell tons of books. It was not my advertising scheme. I hoped and still hope to connect with people who might be interested in my work. And I do announce when my work is available or on special but because its part of my life, not as a campaign. People will come along, if it is natural that they do. I’m OK with that. But many people will come along that won’t be “customers”, I’m OK with that too. Bottom line, Twitter was not my personal Buy My Books channel.

google+-logoI slowed and stopped with Twitter and moved more to Google + for similar reasons. But I found it connected me with different groups of people and not so much publishers/editors/writers. I’ve enjoyed it and the people I have met and befriended there.images (2)

I also expanded to Facebook to be more connected to family and family connections.

Today I re-launched, if you will, into Twitter. I saw many people still there that I was happy to see remained. It was like returning home.

I want to connect. I want to meet people who are beyond my normal sphere of influence. Each platform brings a different group and style. I like the different flavors.

Now to what makes me angry- I hate people who see Social Media as their “commercial” time. That because we connected, they are free to unleash their marketing campaign upon me. These people need to be fair warned- the interruption-based ad world is crumbling. We don’t have to put up with anyone. Social media is for us, the people. It’s a wonderful thing and the greatest part about it, is we get to control it.

Marketers need not follow nor apply.

 

Day 8