DISQUS

Proof that common sense isn't so common. I tweeted a link a while back to a newspaper article wherein a multi-million dollar federal trial had to be dismissed because jurors were tweeting and looking up info about the case on their BlackBerrys/smartphones. Of course, they had been instructed not to. I suggested that the offending jurors be billed for the amount of money (taxpayer money) wasted in the first trial.

It's unbelievable to me that anyone would do that, but again, my main point: common sense isn't that common. It is when people cannot govern their own behavior that it becomes necessary for others to do it for them. Take away the cell phones at the start of the trial, and yes, this is punishing everyone for the actions of a few.

A fair trial is one of the foundations of a legitimate system, and should be treated with the reverence and respect that it deserves from those who are being asked to--literally--pass judgment on another.

Great post, Jason...

I've thought about this a great deal, as I think Dunbar's Number/Dunbar Corollary do present implications for social media. My conclusion is that Dunbar's number doesn't apply to social media, because these aren't relationships, they are "acquaintancships." The relationship limit covered by Dunbar's Number is closer to what you describe at the end of your post: real, flesh-and-blood these people matter to me-relationships.

Politicians have for years pushed well beyond the upper limits of Dunbar's Number, as far as contacts/established personal acquaintances. I've seen it, I worked in politics. Some of these men and women can remember families back generations, people they've met at fundraisers, donors, constituents, lobbyists--I have a good memory, but some of these people amazed me. But they weren't relationships in a sociological setting like Dunbar postulated. Like so much in social media that gets mentioned, turned around, and examined, there's nothing really *that* new here. It's just that people who aren't accustomed to thinking in these terms are now confronted with it.

Net, I don't think expanding social circles is about beating Dunbar's number. Now, if one has the depth of knowledge and understanding about the personal goals, family life, deep exchanges with 300 or more people, we can talk about beating Dunbar's number, IMHO.

Jen

At some point, someone will throw something at me for being such a founding documents dork, but what comes to mind here is Madison in Federalist #51: "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." You are spot-on regarding the fact that there are many who cannot police themselves.

You have succinctly nailed down what my concern was when I heard about the Google map mashup/Prop 8 issue on NPR. We all have a responsibility to think of "what next" when we publish information. Transparency that causes harm is not a virtue.

GREAT POST.

Jen

I've long wanted two tabs: one with all tweets of those I follow, the other tab with just the news organizations...a filter almost. Not sure about the commons/platform thing, as I believe the way you describe it, it would depend on the person posting the tweet to have the judgment to select one or the other. I'd gonna make a wild guess that a lot of things that I'd think belong in the 'commons' area would end up in platform.

Late to the party here, but a few thoughts:

One, Bob admits that he went against a directive to cease this activity. Really, all of the "ZOMG, social media & engagement are where it's at" doesn't matter one whit in this case. He is an employee, he was told to stop. As a manager, it would make me VERY unhappy if an employee went and did something that I specifically directed him not to do. It's not his decision to make.

Two, Fortune 500's aren't little companies. They are massive. Lots and lots of silos. This sort of thing--miscommunication between divisions--happens all the time. If Bob has a problem with the different silos, he needs to work within the established framework and address that, not make corporate decisions on his own. The comparison to the military is actually apt, at a big company you need people to, well, behave. If Bob gets to talk to customers, why can't I across 20K employees is a nightmare for some companies. It's the company's decision to make, not Bob's.

Three, "[...] that sells a product, an expensive product, the kind of thing that makes an Mercedes look like a value meal." If there's really that kind of money tied up in sales, then trust me, there is a very specific audience. This isn't Coke or Pepsi, and there is a great deal at stake if something is mishandled by Bob.

Interesting case, but if a company isn't ready (or for whatever reason doesn't want to) engage in social media, it's not, not, not up to an individual employee to make that decision.

Jen

A little late to the party here, but still think it's worth commenting...Kami Huyse of Communication Overtones and I, along with Susan Getgood, were having this very discussion back in August. I consider scalability social media's weakest point, ( http://is.gd/1U1L ). It's going to be interesting to see how communicators and PR pros approach the high-touch need of social media with reduced budgets, fewer staffers, etc. that are (or will be) a product of the economic downturn.

Jen

Thanks for the contribution to Media Bullseye...that crew from Plaid are a load of fun, aren't they? And I agree that the tour and the human element--breaking out of the social media bubble and connecting with people, as you so aptly put it--is one of the key components to their success with this tour.

Cheers!
Jen

Sorry you've been ill so much! I'm the office germaphobe (as in, the only one with an enormous bottle of Purel on my desk). Handwashing--probably more than anyone thinks is necessary--is key. Trying not to touch your face (eyes, nose, mouth) helps as these are entry points for viruses.

Unfortunately, being trapped on a plane/train/etc. is difficult as there are airborne bugs that are impossible to avoid in those circumstances.

I also always get a flu shot, but from what I've read this year's shot wasn't a good match for the bugs going around. Healthy eating is key in addition to staying hydrated.

I hope you feel better, and stay better!

I can't find the link on their site (hm, bad design?) but the Pod Hotel in New York at one point had a forum/calendar where you could list when you'd be there to meet up with like-minded people for a chat or drinks. I thought it was interesting: hotel stay a' la' a Tweet-up.

Great idea with the starter posts, Chris. I had long been trying--with very limited (almost no) success--to explain to my parents exactly what it is that I do. While I was home over the holidays, I decided to set up a Google Reader account for my dad, and loaded the Media Bullseye RSS feed into it; I explained how this makes things simple, it brings the content to you, etc.

The next time we talked, he asked if I had written anything recently (yes, the 'rents still want to read what I write). When I told him yes, he asked for the web address to go check it out. I then asked if he'd looked at his Google Reader..."oh, yeah, that..." *Sigh*

I'm going to forward your post, maybe that will do it!

Jen