There's a new rise of talk about the Social Media 'echo chamber', the same old 'snake oil salesmen' discussions that I thought we would finally have matured beyond. It bothers me that much of it this time is being driven from people I respect, but more importantly that I suspect are simply using it to further their own gains versus the altruistic image they are trying to portray. My point of view:
- There absolutely is a social media echo chamber, several actually.
- There are people inside, and outside, these echo chambers who know what the hell they are doing.
- There are all levels of skill-sets, background experiences, and points of view needed
- Echo chambers are perpetuated for a lot of reasons. Currying favor in an attempt to climb a social ladder is one. However, somewhere near the top of that list is that what's being said resonates with those listening to it. There is value in understanding why that is versus simply implying that it is driven by ignorant lemmings. Some of those 'ignorant lemmings' are the very same people you want to call a client.
- Railing against the status quo echo chamber while surrounding yourself with those who want to do the same is simply a means of creating or participating in your own echo chamber of like-mindedness, thus hypocrisy of the highest order.
- Dissenting opinion should be encouraged. But do so against an actual tangible topic versus some nebulous concept of 'us versus them'. Bravery is putting your ideas up against someone else's, not simply making controversy in an attempt to drive more traffic to your blog.
- Taking the position as the 'protector of the consumer' from the 'uninformed social media wonks' may seem a noble cause, but is transparently self-serving.
- If you want to compete, then compete. If you want to break through the noise, break through the noise. It's not 'fair' that those you deem less capable than yourself have achieved more success, welcome to business.
- It now comes off as simply bemoaning the fact that people are succeeding where you are not. That's embarrassing.
- Go bust your ass and quit whining.