Offline. Online. Where Do the Lines Blur?
We — those of us blogging, tweeting, and socially networking on a regular basis — are accustomed to instant real-time connections. Our conversations are face to face and digital; often at the same time, in the same location, with the same people.
We have grown comfortable blurring the line between online and offline.
I’m old enough to own a bag phone. Remember those? I think mine weighed more than my current laptop!
Computers used to be big clunky pieces of expensive equipment that ran on DOS. My first computer was purchased in the early-80s. I used it for word processing and playing games.
The word cyberspace was coined in 1981, the year I completed graduate school and got married. In 1994 I went online with email and a website. Even so, there was a sharp distinction between home and work — offline and online — personal and professional.
An explosion of technology enabled us to start bridging the gap.
Early adopters of technology often have the opportunity to explain how it works to others. In the beginning, we explain how it works to each other. I believe the explosive growth of social networks is secondary to the historic isolation of innovators and early adopters.
“Yay! We are not alone!” We meet kindred spirits online, develop relationships, attend the same conferences, workshops and barcamps, and are proud to say, “Some of my best friends live in my computer.”
Now it’s time to talk to folks in the mainstream.
Many small business owners and independent contractors are still offline
Are you hesitant to jump into the social media world because you aren’t sure where to start? Or, maybe you think that it is a new fangled way to waste time when resources are already stretched to the point of breaking. After all, only kids spend time chatting with their friends electronically.
Are you sure? Social websites aren’t just for kids whiling away their leisure time any more. The median age for twitter is 31 and Linkedin is 40. Social media is mainstream.
What’s holding you back? Tell me about your concerns in the comments.
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View Comments on Offline. Online. Where Do the Lines Blur?
Good article on social media from someone near MY age! RT @kdrewien: Offline. Online. Where Do the Lines Blur? http://bit.ly/8jqVMT
[...] While wiling away the hours on Twitter (reminds me of hanging out in IRC chat rooms. I think I still have mIRC on my computer somewhere…) @ArtofthFirebird posted a link to an interesting article. On the blog Sweet Tea & Straight Talk, the writer talks about how the lines of social media and real life interaction have blurred. You can read it here – Offline. Online. Where Do the Lines Blur? [...]
RT @kdrewien: RT @ArtofthFirebird: Good article on social media from someone near MY age! http://bit.ly/8jqVMT »Age has its merits.
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