Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Social Networking Blues

We all do it, even without realizing we do it. Some of us do it more than others, while others do it a lot more than some. We do it in the morning, sipping our caffeinated beverage of choice (you know what mine is), midday, while munching our lunch, sometimes while preparing meatless meatloaf (or any other healthy fare) for dinner, and often deep into the wee hours. In fact, most of us, or dare I say, all of us, do it throughout the day and night, as often as we can, whenever we can steal a minute here or a half-second there. Admit it, you’re doing it now! Heck, so am I! Yikes! I can’t stop doing it!

What are we all doing? You guessed it, social networking. Or more to the point: electronic, online, surfing-the-net, cyber-social networking. It’s the new sitting-around-the-coffee-shop-chatting-with-your-pals interaction, replacing face-to-face meet-and-greets with “tweets,” “shouts,” “subscribers,” and “Facebook friends.” (go ahead, add me as your friend, I dare ya!). It’s the phenomenon that is and has been sweeping the world for years, only now it appears to be multiplying faster than the national deficit.

You want to know what the ironic, funny thing of all this is? I never in a million years ever thought that I would be heavily involved in social networking, let alone writing a blog post about it. LET ALONE CREATING A MUSIC VIDEO ABOUT IT! But I am and have. More on the vid in a minute.

How did I get involved in all this electronic-interaction of the cyber kind? You’re looking at it, or, more to the point, reading it. Yup, blogging. It all started with my video website, livelife365.com. I created that site as a venue to help people improve their lives and to share that information with as many people as possible, probably one of the many reasons you created your site, right? One of the first things I did was create this blog. Blogging, I discovered, was an excellent way to reach hundreds of people, with the ultimate goal: hoping as many interested people as possible would eventually visit my vid site. Blogging is, after all, a form of social networking, as I soon found out, with commenting being a major electronic interaction between like-minded souls.

And it just kind of snowballed from there. As I visited and read more blogs, I discovered more social networking sites like Digg, Stumbleupon, and Entrecard. And tremendous sites for bloggers like MyBlogLog and BlogCatalog. As a videographer, I naturally migrated to video-sharing sites like YouTube and FunnyorDie. I went social networking crazy, and if it weren’t for healthy sites like Iowa Avenue, I might have gone nuts, or at least more nutty than I already am.

What eventually evolved from all this social networking, which so often does for me, was a seed of creativity. I mean, I don’t know about you, but I have kind of a love/hate thing going with social networking. I love visiting cool and interesting blogs and websites, learning new things and meeting a diverse group of bloggers and SoNets (my new word, just invented, for “social networkers”). But, quite frankly, it can get exhausting, overwhelming, tedious (at times), and time-consuming. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy visiting dozens of blogs and sites every day, but there are times when I wish I could hop aboard a time machine and travel back to a place where there were no computers, or even televisions, for that matter. And then I stumble upon a new site that catches my eye and I thank god that I live in this amazing technological time period. Sleep? Who needs sleep?

So, one night, I was doing my social networking thing, and my brain, while fighting fatigue and getting punchy, came up with the following song. I then got out my trusty video camera and began shooting. As always, I had help. Mostly, my good buddy and the other half of the Hungry and Poor Band, Dale from Electric Canyon Studios. Dale is the guy who makes my voice sound better than average, while adding so much to my mediocre guitar playing it is beyond words. He is also a master video editor. His magical touch and relentless patience makes our collaborative efforts effortless. You may recognize him from my I Miss My Hair video; he’s the one with hair! Thanks, Dale.

Please take a few minutes and enjoy my latest music video:

SOCIAL NETWORKING BLUES




Sure, social networking can seem like an endless chore, at times, but more often than not it is an effort of joy, a linking between souls connected, perhaps tens of thousands of miles away, through the touch of a mouse, the flicker of a finger across a keyboard, or the click of a link, like this one, which will take you to Mike‘s Lyrics, if you would like to read along while you watch:

SOCIAL NETWORKING BLUES.

And remember, please drop me a comment at my video site letting me know what you think about my latest, or any other, video.

Until next time…

peace,

Mike

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hehehe. I TOTALLY know what you mean about it being a love/hate relationship... I feel exactly the same way.

Social networking is addictive.

Bagman and Butler said...

I can see a day when all of us will be disembodies brains in jars of liquid -- green tea for you, of course -- wirelessly connected to each other forming the newly evolved human species. Eventually we will be similarly interconnected with all creatures in the universe and our name will be God.

Bagman and Butler said...

After my last comment, I watched your video. My God...you must not only live 365...you must live 24 hours a day as well! My money is on you for being the first person to actually reach the end of the Internet. Also, what a multi-talented, movie editing, guitar playing, cyber-browsing, healthy living example!!

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed your video. Great job. lol I can feel how you feel. Blogging and social networking are really addictive. Sometimes, I can't report for work in the morning as I have spent the whole night blogging and social networking. Two thumbs up!

Anonymous said...

LOL.........You hit the nail on the head. I loved the video and thanks for the mention.

Susan Blake said...

OMG - what TALENT!!!! I started my blog a month ago - before that, honestly, I didn't know how to cut/paste - I'm talkin' major computer bimbo. So the whole blogosphere is this strange and seemingly unending universe to me and I'm beginning to feel the love/hate thing. Your video sure brought up all the places (is that what they ARE?) I've heard about, and I've done a few (did I DO them or GO there??) and hearing how many places (or are they THINGS?) are out there (and just where the h is THERE anyway??) well, I'm gonna go practice peeling a banana if "they" will let me anywhere sharp knives today.

Patricia Rockwell said...

I don't know how you can do Entrecard AND Facebook! Entrecard takes up almost all of my time. I had to give up Facebook--let alone all the other things you do! Do you really have that much energy?

Paul Eilers said...

I started blogging for purposes of marketing online. In the beginning, I was up until the wee hours of the morning.

But now that I have gotten better and know more about what I'm doing, I have cut back significantly on my online activities.

Enjoyed your video and timely post, though. I don't think I have seen anyone else write about this subject matter.

Paul

Eat Well. Live Well.
PurpleGreenPops.com

Dwacon said...

It takes minds off the real bad news going on right now...

chilly said...

Dang, I thought I got around the internet! LOL Nice job on the video, just awesome indeed! :-)

HEALTH NUT WANNABEE MOM said...

Brilliant! Loved it and so, so true!! You kill me and make me laugh! I just love it!

Unknown said...

sagan: addictive, fun, horrible, scary, delightful, sad, silly, funny...and that was just this morning...

butler: i like your view of the future--count me in!

and bagman: what is at the end of the internet? a pot of Bill Gates' gold?

health mad: is it hazardous to one's health? no worse than daytime tv...

lisa: your site rocks...

suzen: who are "they" anyway? thanks for the great comment...

patricia: it's all a facade...no, really, i am one of a set of triplets...no, i sleep only ten minutes a night...no, it's...wait a sec...zzzzzzzzz

paul: if ever one needs to work smart it's with online marketing using social networking...

dwacon: good point, let's have a laugh and some fun while the world counts down to its demise...

chilly: thanks for the nice comment, and you do get around...

heidi: and i love to make you laugh...thanks!


peace,

mike

Social Networking Blues

Anonymous said...

Social networking does take up a lot of time. However, I think I am also getting a kick out of it!! It's nice to connect with friends from halfway across the world.

I must say that you sure have lots of energy!! Great work you've been doing!

Anonymous said...

Great and nice blog with best information..I like your blog and keep posting more articles for sharing to everybody..

Barry said...

I'm with B&B on this! You have a unique voice, a clever song and more energy than I had when I was ten!

I'd put my money on you too!

Anonymous said...

Simply brillant. Great editing job too, I can't imagine that was easy by any means.

heh, I like what you did there. If I give it a digg would you add me to your blog list?

If only there were more hours in the day. I don't actually visit many social net sites, although I have a profile there. I created a placeholder, filled out the profile a bit, added a few friends and done.

Over the course of time, these accounts will grow, and I'll find ways to work them into the routine perhaps.

Ok, stumbling you, and checking out Butler and Bagman. Wow, deep!

Jackie said...

Mike I am so glad you stopped by and left this link!!

This is incredible. You really should have your own television show.

Please drop your card back on me for this new site where we can leave comments.

Or pop back over and leave the link....I'll add you to my my list.

You are just super!!

Peace,
Jackie

Jackie said...

Okay excuse the numb request...I now realize that I am already here. Got your link and hey let's hook up on Facebook...I'll look for you!!:-)

Unknown said...

evelyn: there's that love/hate thing again...but I'm glad I connected with you...

cptan: thanks...

barry: right about now that energy is fading...heading for bed soon...

wayne: hey, I'll add ya to my blog list anytime...thanks for the stumble...

shinade: when i have my own tv show i will let you be a guest on it...see ya on facebook...



peace,

mike

Social Networking Blues

Anonymous said...

Social networking can get addictive, can't it? I don't want to become tied to the computer so I'm limiting myself to 2 hours in the mornings and I try to visit one new site a day. I had to put a limit on it or else I'd sit here for ever.....

Faisal Admar said...

I've deleted all applications in Facebook as they're very annoying. So back to the main point, social network... and no stupid applications around LOL.

Anonymous said...

Sweet video :) You remind me of the teenagers... I had at least a half a dozen living here at one time. In fact they are to blame for my social networking craziness!

Anna said...

It's an addiction, that's for sure! I'm not on very many, but enough that I don't have enough time in the day to get through everything! Ahhhh!

Anonymous said...

Great video Mike - you are so creative. I totally undersand your love/hate relationship with social networking, and every so often I get burned out and have to step away for a couple days to recover my sanity. But I'm always drawn back because I miss reading my favorite blogs and communicating with friends I've made in the blogospher. Have a great weekend.

Paul Eilers said...

Dude, you still got the social networking blues?

Paul

Eat Well. Live Well.
ER BurnTheFat.com
PurpleGreenPops.com

HalfCrazy said...

Hi there! Great post!

I agree with you, while it is very fun meeting new people and gain loads of information from them around the world, it can be so time consuming! I tried setting up an alarm, a signal that I should stop using the Internet for social networking but it won't work! I just end up still using it 2 hours later!

But hey, I'm not addicted to Facebook (I have it, though!) or any other networking site! Well okay, I am addicted to blogging and meeting people and Blog Catalog!

Much Love,

Unknown said...

casbah kitty: self discipline is a great way to stay on top of this

faisal: yes, extraneous distractions in some networks are a pain...

redkathy: i'm probably as old as all of your teenagers combined...

anna: to do all that i would like to do online i would never turn my computer off and become a zombie...

chris: a nice, relaxing break away from routines helps...and not just with social networking...

paul: always...hey, to answer your question about those labels in the video; yes, lots of hard work and time consuming...but using a video editor helps...

half crazy: healthy addictions are okay...in moderation...


thanks for all the great comments...

peace,

mike

Anonymous said...

Hi Friend.. Interesting post.. Keep up the good work..Do find time to drop by my site and post your views... Take care.. Cheers mate!!!

Ms. O. D. said...

LOL! What is the laptop doing in the freezer? Mike, I loved the video, made me laugh! It's so true, how social networking can over one's life, I've been so addicted digg and twitter lately.

kRiZcPEc said...

I read read read, and at the line "Sleep? Who needs sleep?" I felt sleepy...so I'll check out your latest video later, I need sleep.

Unknown said...

spakzspot: cheers...

ms.od.: glad you enjoyed it and one day i misplaced my laptop, looked all over the house for it, then when to get some ice cream and, bam, there it was...

kriz: who needs sleeps? you do, that's who...


peace,

mike

and i do too...

Anonymous said...

well i approved your friendship on facebook. yay.

Jackie said...

LOL great video.

Social networks on the up side for me bring me some great traffic, the type of people who stop by for a few minutes and sometimes leave comments.

On the down side is the time it takes to keep up with everything. If it were only folk who were interested in whatever subject you blog about it would be fine but many want to add us as friends just to grow lists.

And then the worst of all the kid in me that wastes time playing Facebook games....so guess who is behind in her blog posts?

Anonymous said...

Very impressed with your all round talents Mike. Rock On!

Sharkbytes (TM) said...

Boy do I love/hate the SoNet thing. But I just run away to the woods.

Anonymous said...

I'm another one who totally knows what you are talking about. I could spend 4 hours in the middle of the day just keeping up with my social networking.

Strangely, I keep getting banned from StumbleUpon and Propeller but I really don't know why. I suppose it has something to do with submitting some of the same websites repeatedly. My efforts are probably better spent participating in Ning type sites and reading/commenting on others' blogs, rather than submitting content to Digg.

Unknown said...

natural: thanks for being my facebook friend...

jackie: very time consuming, true...thanks for the nice words on my vid...

martin: rock on to you too...

sharkbytes: running away into the woods has a pleasant allure to it right about now...

project swole: yes, it can suck up one's precious time...thanks for dropping by...



peace,

mike

Anonymous said...

Hey Mike,my Facebook friend! lol I know what you mean about all of the SoNetting :wink: (Like that) It's fun connecting with people; but it can also be highly addictive. Before I know it, HOURS have passed. I seriously have an Internet "to do" list, which involves blogs I want to go and read among a host of other things. Just too much fun!!!

Anonymous said...

I agree with your information. Really good and nice article. Thanks for sharing and keep posting

Unknown said...

lisa: hey facebook friend, thanks for dropping by...

cptan: gracias....


peace,

mike