SiteNothing dates you more …
… than announcing to the world, “I’m trying to figure out this blogging thing” or “What’s Facebook all about and how can I use it?” In the last couple of weeks I’ve heard or read variations of these sentiments among writers and journalists and it cracks me up. All I can hear in my head is a grandmotherly voice declaring, “I don’t get this Internet business. Why back in my day, we used homing pigeons to get our news.”
You’d think journalists and writers would be the first to jump on stuff like blogging and social networking, but I find there’s a substantial number of us standing around, scratching our heads, wondering aloud what all the fuss is about. I want to take them by the shoulders, march them to a computer, and type www.google.com into a browser. My only fear is they’ll look up at me and ask, “What’s Google?” [db]
9 Responses to “Nothing dates you more …”
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Ginny
Said this on April 14th, 2008 at 6:28pm:I have to admit I _almost_ fall into the clueless category. I have a blog, I have a Facebook account, but I’m very much aware that I’m not getting out of them everything I could. I’ve been considering a website for a long time now (I know, I know) and this year is the year for that. I remember being on top of technology while I was in my 20s; what happened? (Can I blame it on the kids?) I’m not old enough to be so clueless
sarah
Said this on April 14th, 2008 at 9:08pm:I know! Me too! I’ve finally found this blogosphere you kids are doing and I love it. But face book? And myspace?
beth kephart
Said this on April 14th, 2008 at 9:34pm:Hello, Jennifer —
Hoping and hoping this reaches you. I have the sneaking suspicions that our emails aren’t connecting. Truly hope to receive the email questions from you…. Perhaps you could try the email listed here?
Looking forward to the conversation,
Beth
Lia
Said this on April 14th, 2008 at 9:52pm:Hah! That bit about Google reminds me of something: When people around me are idly wondering out loud about, say, how many cups are in a gallon, or who played Tom Hanks’ boyfriend in Philadelphia, I like to say, “If only there were a machine, you know, where you could type in a question and the answer would just appear …”
It’s astonishing how many people just nod wistfully in agreement.
Meagan
Said this on April 14th, 2008 at 11:24pm:I think I’ve been blogging long enough that I can consider myself a “blogger” now (though I have a total of something like 8 returning readers) but I’ve still been known to say I’m trying to figure out the whole blogging thing… I have a myspace page and linkedin page but don’t use either, and I’ve never been on facebook. I’m 26. I don’t think this is necessarily a mark of being “dated,” though I realize the next generation is pretty much submerged in networking. I’m part of a generation that remembers not having a computer in the house, but is perfectly at home with technology. My fiance feels naked without his blackberry but my best friend hardly knows how to work his cellphone. I think the key with my generation is that we’re young enough to get it, but old enough to not WANT all of it, and I don’t think that makes us out of touch. But maybe I’m just arrogant.
Elaine Grant
Said this on April 15th, 2008 at 12:33pm:At the ASJA conference, Columbia Univ. new media professor Sree Sreenivasan gave a talk on using technology that people raved about (I missed it). Here’s Sree’s “10 Things to Try Today,” which apparently was his handout at the talk. It’s very useful!
http://www.sreetips.com
Elaine
links for 2008-04-15 « Charlottesville Words
Said this on April 15th, 2008 at 1:35pm:[…] The Renegade Writer Blog » Blog Archive » Nothing dates you more … ‘… than announcing to the world, “I’m trying to figure out this blogging thing” or “What’s Facebook all about and how can I use it?”’ […]
megan
Said this on April 19th, 2008 at 8:49pm:I’m a long-time blogger, but I haven’t been able to make myself join the Facebook or MySpace craze because, honestly, it’s all I can do to keep up with my blog. And who needs more time on the internet? Lord knows my productivity would skyrocket if I would unplug my router!
Curious…is there really any other reason other than networking to get involved with Facebook/MySpace and are you certain that the benefits outweigh the negatives?
Terry Finley
Said this on April 20th, 2008 at 2:36pm:I agree. Whatever happened to
just plain old blogging?