SEVERAL PROLIFIC IRISH bloggers have scattered their conversations all over the social media map and the net effect is to reduce the group dynamic overall. It's only natural to try new things when they emerge but the simultaneous emergence of Twitter, Facebook for the masses, Jaiku with channels and YouTube in Ireland have pulled people away from blogging and into zones where minimal hyperlinks exist. In fact, some of these Web 2.0 communities are designed to work best as walled gardens, effectively truncating connected conversations. PR experts like Tom Murphy wonder where it's all headed.
Tom thinks "the vast majority of PR practitioners will continue to work with traditional projects, tools and channels while slowly blending online elements for specific clients or projects." At the moment, a lot of turbulence exists inside that online world. Some people, like Damien Mulley, understand how to make an impact on a reputation just by using online tools. Those in the PR business should watch and learn what Mulley does when promoting a group or criticising a service. His techniques got well beyond merely having an online conversation with citizens and customers.
At the moment, I'm watching entrepreneurs meeting in real time, over real coffee, talking about real enterprise. Last year, their conversations would have gained immediate traction through subscription channels visible in the Irish blogging community. This year, that does not seem to be happening. And worse, it seems some of those in the conversation don't feel pushed to write online about the developments they see.
When the nonconversant are long-time bloggers, I have to wonder why they've opted not to share thoughts through the social media that they have nurtured for more than three years. And I'm left thinking it's because of the energy expended in using the new tools that have appeared parallel to blogs during the past six months. It takes time and energy to absorb all of these new things. When that time sink pulls people away from meaningful conversation using time-tested social media, we have to reflect on whether we're party to distractions.
Tom Murphy -- "Where are we going?"
Wishing more voices would join Irish OpenCoffee on Jaiku or at least upload a single image onto Flickr from every event in Cork, Dublin, Limerick and Waterford.
Images, captions and comments from Limerick OpenCoffee.
Gareth Stack -- "Where am I?"
Heidi Miller -- "Social Media Stupor Syndrome"
