Marc Blackwell's Blog

People pass by the Darulaman Palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)

Said like Seinfield, "What is ... the deal ... with Social ... Media?" Why are we all so addicted to websites like Facebook and Twitter? It may just be in my geography of people, but almost everyone I know has 3-10 social media sites! And we use them daily, if not dozens of times daily. Why? Why do we feel the need to post any message to the world? Why am I writing this blog? What does one accomplish by posting thoughts, photos and videos to the world wide web?

My english teachers will cringe at the progression of this post, as it follows no coherent guidelines for a proper written piece, but I think at least one of my english teachers from high school follows me on Facebook, so take that. I use Facebook and Twitter. Hi, my name is Marc and I'm addicted to Facebook and Twitter. Not really, I've toned it down in the past few weeks, have you noticed? Didn't think so. I use the Book of the Face and Tweeter for business, but only Blackwell Photography business. I don't promote my little side website business and/or painting excursion on them, but that's a whole nother post. I try to entertain the thousands of viewers watching our photography business thrive. They are hungry for cool images and I find FB and Twitter to be an outlet to generate creative content on. I get that purpose, or say you're a writer, comedian, or run another small business - it's great for reaching new, existing and past customers. You almsot don't need e-mail!

But what about personal ... indulgences of social media for ... whatever purpose? Is it boredom? loneliness, craziness, depression or entertainment ... all these things? I stutter, thinking I started another blog with a question I don't have the answer too. I'm as guilty as those I criticize. I post pictures of my daughter. I don't know who the hell follows me, some like 1700 on Facebook alone call me their friend. I ask political questions to rile people up and share links to friend's cool life and all that fun stuff. But why?

I guess my point is, I barely have enough time to work, survive, give proper attentive attention to my daughter, my wife, and my fetus baby - why would I take time out of my day to share something personal with people I don't even know? Or why would I scroll down and down and down and read what people had for lunch? I do it all the time. I'm doing it right now? Everyone uses it. Some people abuse it.

I think it's a great business tool. When you have something to promote, like a movie or an album coming out, having a large social media database is a wonderful and effective tool. One must learn the ways of the common buyer/website user, and accommodate to their user ship and what not ... (again, another separate post) ... that's all fine. When one starts to post pictures of your hamburger and fries (guilty) and posting that you just took an amazing poo, it goes a little too far. I'm trying to come back to reality, and enjoy more time with my family and friends. What do you think?

Will Social Media fizzle out in time? If so, how soon? How often are you on a blog, or Twitter like site? How do you think Social Media has affected you and your friends around you? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Cheers,
-marc