Comments on: My Mom Thinks Chris Brogan Plays Hockey

By: James Socol

James Socol — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:35:28 +0000

@bzkicks It’s easy to forget that social media users are still a minority. http://is.gd/78pB

By: Jenna

Jenna — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:12:53 +0000

How funny, I sent a tweet last night while trying to explain twitter to my mom. I find explaining my love for social media interaction is best done is a tutorial, not a conversation. My mom(57) is also a hip gal who has worked in education all of her life and thrives on still having that “youthful vibe.” I have engaged her about getting her own facebook page, she can catch up with old students and her friends on the east coast. Not only is she not interested her response was “I’m on the computer all day, when I get home I want to read the paper (my parents buy the paper still daily), cook dinner and have a glass of wine with your dad.” Point taken. I think social media friends are eager to get the word out there about our new buddy twitter or facebook, but eager is good. Eagerness and enthusiasm will get more people involved in social media activities we love and hopefully help to continue growing the medium.

Not only is there a “mom test” but I think there is a “Computer Nerd” vs “Non-computer Nerd” test, which involves no stereotypical nerdiness, no pocket protectors or broken glasses. I am a Computer Nerd I consider my computer (work and home) a vehicle for knowledge, insights, entertainment and interaction with the outside world. Other consider the computer a tool they utilize to respond to emails and write proposals sometime buying something on amazon or reading MSN. Some people just won’t get into social media because they don’t get the beauty of computers. My husband and my mom are two of them. My dad on the other hand (56) stumbled on twitter two weeks ago on his own and loves it. He has always been a computer nerd at heart buying me the first Mac when it hit the market. I am my father’s daughter.

Thanks again for all the great insights it is like working with you again, without the cool lamp…

By: Arianna Petkevicius

Arianna Petkevicius — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:18:33 +0000

RT: chrisbrogan Completely perfect post by @jaybaer : http://is.gd/78pB. Loving the mom test. Mum finally gets facebook, as of last wk

By: James Socol

James Socol — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:09:45 +0000

Great post on social media in the “mainstream” http://is.gd/78pB

By: Cheryl Smith

Cheryl Smith — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:28:36 +0000

Fantastic post and perspective! Sometimes it's frustrating to understand the opportunities that exist and how businesses and people are loosing out. Your mom is a wise woman. Your time will come. Our time will come. I hear it ticking, just around the corner.Cheryl Smith’s last blog post..Finding Your Passion

By: Jon Buscall

Jon Buscall — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:57:24 +0000

Great piece, Jason. I think you hit the nail on the head. No wonder it's tough trying to persuade businesses to invest in social media, let alone schools and non-profits, if moms don't even know about this stuff.Perhaps we need to be talking about ways in which to spread the word more effectively in person as opposed to just on the Net.Jon Buscall’s last blog post..It’s Not Just Words - [Copywriting]

By: Katie Van Domelen

Katie Van Domelen — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:00:31 +0000

Love the “mom test” but that’s only one side of this. I’m young, just out of college, and most of my friends from school don’t know what this stuff is. Facebook, of course. Myspace, yes. YouTube, sure. But the rest of it? Blogs, widgets, Twitter, etc? No way. And they don’t see the value. I did a blog post a while back (http://katie.heyvan.com/2008/10/23/uncategorized/twitter-is-for-%e2%80%9cold%e2%80%9d-people/) about the demographics of Twitter and why I think it’s naturally lent itself to an older, affluent demographic (read: office folk). So, yes, social media isn’t as omnipresent as it feels when you’re in the middle of it. But it’s a) not just for kids and b) gaining momentum across all demographics. So it’s our job to continue to be looking down the road at what’s coming and use our enthusiasm to drive the industry that way. Great reality check though – loved the post!

Katie Van Domelen’s last blog post..Of the People

By: James Socol

James Socol — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:57:40 +0000

Jason –

It’s always nice to be a “first.”

Of course you’re right. The enthusiasm of “insiders” can even scare away “outsiders.” Louis Gray had a great post on settling down and talking about the tools in ways that “outsiders” understand and value.

http://www.louisgray.com/live/2008/11/its-not-about-technology-stupid.html

~James

By: Barbara Jean Walsh

Barbara Jean Walsh — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:54:10 +0000

I know who Chris Brogan is, and I’m a 60-year old mom, with a blog (http://slicingheaven.com) and a job in distance learning, where I send my student to articles written by Chris Brogan for extremely valuable tips and advice.

Then again, I also spend a lot of time trying to convince people in my industry — boat design, building, and repair — that social networking is not going to go away. I feel that I am frequently on the defensive when older (than me) people start ranting about how illiterate the younger generation is. ‘Taint so. It’s a whole nuther kind of literacy.

Barbara Jean Walsh’s last blog post..Farewell Transmission from Mars

By: Jason Baer

Jason Baer — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:43:23 +0000

Shannon -

Keep plugging away! You might want to show your Mom and others the “what is twitter” video on commoncraft.com Those guys just completely rock.

Thanks for the comment,
j