It's been a long time coming...

It is one thing to say something in a conversation or in an informal setting; however, using a blog to express my thoughts has a greater element of permanency that I am currently struggling with.  Growing up among a variety of colorful people I have learned that when people are telling a story the fact, the truth can be lost amidst embellishments.  Resulting in the people hearing the story remembering different elements of the conversation without indisputable proof of what was actually said.

 A blog is a record similar to art painting in caves by our ancestors from generations past. Blogging forces me to be an active member in capturing “history” compared to being in the comfortable position as a passive observer of my surrounding. My cheese has been moved so therefore I must move with it.   

As I think about it, maybe I am experiencing fear… fear of people reading my inner thoughts. When we talk in person reading the body language and facial expression clue you to what you just said was inappropriate. In blogosphere, there are no non-verbal clues to indicate if my statements/thoughts are within the range of normalcy for our society.  

PS – I find it funny that “blogosphere” is a word – WOW

More exuberant monkeys or certified social media strategists?

What is the future of social media? As Facebook, Twitter, and Pintrest become more popular, businesses and corporations are searching for ways to ‘friend’ their customers. Even the president is using social media! Looking at job postings and internships, more and more listings for bloggers and social media managers and popping up. However, requirements for these jobs vary, as do the duties. The National Institute for Social Media (NISM), located in Apple Valley, MN, is hoping to change that. Never heard of it? Neither had I, until today when I looked at my LinkedIn newsfeed. The NISM provides education and certification for professionals interested in pursuing a career involving social media. Once certified, professionals will be able to call themselves a Certified Social Media Strategist (CSMS). To be eligible for the exam and certification, however, the NISM requires at least 64 academic credits or two years of work experience related to social media. So far, Merced College in California is the only college in the country to have their social media curriculum approved by the NISM. Certification, especially this early in the program, will give professionals an advantage for career advancement. “Earning a NISM certification verifies that your knowledge and skills are at a level that is necessary to be proficient in a variety of situations, but also provides an impartial, third-party endorsement of your knowledge and experience – with the intent to enhance your career opportunities” (NISM, 2012, para. 1). The NISM boasts of the programs transferability and quality assurance. It would seem that standardization of social media education and certification is one of the NISM’s long term goals. Perhaps this is the future of social media and business. What does that mean for people like Andrew Keen, who claim ‘exuberant monkeys’ are ruining our culture? Is this just a way for us to certify our mediocrity? Either way, social media is here and I don’t think it’s going anywhere. Sure, it will evolve, probably constantly, but there is no going back now.

References

National Institute of Social Media. (2012). Benefits of certification. Retrieved from http://nismonline.org/certification/benefits-of-certification/

Briefly Lost in The Dark Woods

Last Monday, Labor Day, Tom (my husband) and I drove to Fort Snelling State Park and hiked around Pike Island. We got a late start, but the dusky light was perfect for illuminating the dark beauty of that wild place.

Considered sacred by the Mdewakanton Sioux Indians, there is vague reference to the conditions of its sale to the United States in 1805 on markers there. The history of Pike Island, which you can look up for yourself if interested, is not the subject of this post, but I did want to mention that it is situated at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers and is shaped like a long arrowhead with the two rivers running on either side and joining at the tip.

We started our hike at the base of the arrowhead where a foot bridge links it to the park. We decided to walk up the Mississippi side of the island, not knowing how long it would take to reach the tip. Since we had arrived late, the park building was closed and we didn't have a map with directions and distances.

I hadn't brought a camera with me, but as we walked I was so awed by the beauty of the place I wanted to take pictures. Luckily, I had my cellphone in my pocket with camera. Everywhere I looked seemed like a work of art, and I took many photos as we strolled through what felt like another world.

The thing that struck me the most was how much personality the trees seemed to have. Each one seemed unique - and groups of trees seemed to have formed unique communities with ancient elders, mothers, fathers and many children.

I felt dwarfed my the sheer size of some of the trees there. In the cityscape of my life, even the largest trees I encounter every day didn't match the majesty of these. I lingered often for a better angle. I wanted to know the story of every scar, bend and hollow. One of the trees offered a person-sized cave that I could literally walk into. How many creatures had sought shelter there?

As we continued on our walk, it seemed to be taking a long time to get to the tip of the island. As it turns out, it is about 1.5 miles to the tip from either side, and we had thought that we could make the loop in about 45 minutes.

Perhaps we could have if we had simply walked at a comfortable, steady speed, but we lingered for pictures like awestruck guests in fairyland.

At one point I thought we should turn back so that we wouldn't be caught in the dark. I thought of looking at a map on my cellphone (with gps enabled) and we saw that we were about 4/5 of the way to the tip of the island. We decided to keep going and try to pick up the pace on the way back. 


When we arrived at the tip there were two boats anchored on the beach. People were relaxing on board in the quiet waters. The sun was quickly setting so we didn't linger there. We started back along the Minnesota River side and noticed even more beauty in the dying light. We tried to stay aware of wanting not to get caught in the dark, and we quickened our pace.

Tom was slightly ahead of me, and stopped suddenly. I came up behind him and saw the deer, about 5 of them, standing in and near the path feeding. As I approached I must have startled them because they all looked up at the same time, then bolted to the right - not too far - and stood vigil.

Again, we lingered a bit. I took the picture on the left of one of the deer (the tiny brown shape to the right of the low arched branch and below left of the higher arch). Tom called, come on, let's go.

We tried to hike quickly, but I still had to take a few more pictures before it became too dark. And it DID become too dark before we reached the way out.


Some of the awe and wonder I had felt earlier was replaced now by an uneasiness and, well, fear. I didn't know quite what I was afraid of, or what there was to be afraid of, but the darkness transformed our fairyland into a dark, wild woods with unknown dangers.

We knew intellectually that we were in an urban park with clear paths, that there was really nowhere very far from our car to wander, but the feeling of being vulnerable in the dark persisted. Together, we kept our eyes on the sandy path and eventually came to the foot bridge. Once across, I breathed a sigh of relief - a little ashamed that I had been afraid. But then came another challenge. Which way to the car? Did we remember? No.

OK. We went to the right. Both of us thought that was the right way, but about 100 yards down the path we noticed a kiosk and a fork in the path. Neither of us remembered seeing a kiosk on the way there from the parking lot. We must have gone the wrong way!

We turned back and I felt the fear trickling back - even though I knew there was really nothing to be afraid of. Those looming, dark, undulating shapes were simply trees and brush swaying in the wind. Right? We took the left path and got to the end of it - the river - and no parking lot.

OK. Maybe there had been a kiosk and we didn't remember it (as I started to hyperventilate).

Tom noticed another path leading into the woods. It pointed toward the highway bridge high above the river valley, and we remembered our car was parked under that bridge. We decided to take the path and were soon very relieved when we saw the lights of the parking lot start to glitter through the trees.

On the way home we could laugh about the adventure of the whole experience. I was reminded of the power of nature and my own vulnerability when unprepared. I had been glad to have my cellphone with me so that I could photo-journal what I saw, and despite my nervous fear in the dark, it reassured me that I was still attached to the larger world by at least 2 bars.

The next day I had an appointment in Eagan, so I decided to return to Pike Island in the daytime and walk the path in the light. I found the lurking dangers of the night before to be now stunning beauty. I took some great pictures and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. That trip will have to be the subject of another post.

Happy hiking to you,
Cindy Wold

Facebook is my friend.

I am one of the most anti-social persons I know. I dropped my best friends from high school and rarely see or talk to the people from the neighborhood I grew up with. Though I have five sisters and two brothers, I usually only see them at holidays or special occasion. I dont hang out with people from work and rarely go out with anyone but my husband, who is best friend. I dont even own a cell phone!! Why, you ask? Because I dont want to be bothered with people calling me to talk while Im in the grocery store! In fact, I cringe when my phone rings at home and answering it requires alot of prompting on my part. I dare say I may have died a recluse with only my husband as a friend, if it werent from Facebook.

Facebook has allowed me to be social, without really being social. I have connected with my best friend from high school, other friends from the past, students Ive worked with, family, friends from the present that would have walked out of my life- never to be heard from again, even people I forgot I knew. It allows me to enteract with all of them without really investing much time or energy into the relationship. How perfect for me! I can get a glimpse of whats going on in their life without having to say a word, and if I want to say a word- its usually a short exchange of pleasantry and then on to the next topic. It is accesible, easy, time friendly and perfect for me!

I no longer have to watch the news which generally displays me as a killer, lazy, stupid, uncaring and violent. I can pick my own news sources on FB and get the news I want, rather that the redderick of people that dont like me. I have a place to share my voice and when something is eating at my soul, ( like the Sandusky rapes or Bush's whole presidency) and the mainstream media is sugar coating it or ignoring- I can share my outrage on FB and release this pain from me, which will surely eat me up inside, if I dont. And if anyone dare oppose me, I can chew you up and spit you out, because If I'm passionate about something-look out!

I also have a place to go to find out where the parties are at, where my favorite Dj's will be and  which artist are coming to town, all with the glimsp of the screen and a click of a button.

Yes Facebook is my friend- the best kind of friend. One that makes me laugh, informs me, relates to me and often times "likes" me.

A Mulligan for your mouth?

This afternoon I was walking around one of the urban lakes with my 3 month old daughter while listening to  iHeartRadio.  I tuned in to KFAN to hear Dan Barriero's latest rant.  I caught part of his discussion regarding Twitter missteps and should we all be granted a Mulligan at some point for stupid comments.

This got me to thinking about Twitter and what Barriero sees as the problem.  He believes that people get themselves into trouble Tweeting messages without deliberate thought about the perception of the receiver.  While this may at times happen, I see the problem differently.

Twitter as a function of itself, allows you to communicate a message of up to 140 characters to your followers.  So, I see each Tweet as deciphered against the background of all other Tweets from that user. It is similar to understanding a campaign slogan.  There many be a short phrase that sums up the message meant to be sent to the public.  But, the public also pieces together many bits of information to get the full and clear message.

Those of us that participate in sending and receiving Tweets are knowledgable of Twitters limitations. The best way in which to understand the messages, is within the context of many Tweets.  So, when another type of news media takes a Tweet out of context, and places it to be interpreted by itself, we often lose its intended meaning.

The Mulligan Barriero is offering up to a misstepping Tweeter may be better used by the other media outlets deliberately misleading their public.

Whose job is it anyway?

What is the role of social media in business?  This question is one we have already begin to discuss in class.  Could it be a variety of things?  We use social media to connect to a community of those with shared interests.  We use social media to give our business a face.  Particular representatives take the responsibility of connecting to their public.

One assumption that has sometimes been made is that social media is within the sphere of personal and not business, but it appears to be a hybrid of the two.  Social media responsibilities may generally fall within the marketing department, however due to the nature of social media, anyone can be involved.  Sharing from a variety of sources as events occur is one of the appealing and unique attributes of social media.

Therefore, an interesting way to think about this issue was brought about by discussing the role of agency in social media.  Is it a good idea to hire an agency in order to fulfill ones social media needs?  There is no proxy for personal relationships or passion is an idea that sheds some light on how we may look at the role social media plays for a business.

The Twins baseball team is on my Facebook.  I receive updates, videos of game highlights, pictures of players in the community, and so on.  This way of connecting to their public is interesting in that it updates 'us' with the daily events of the organization and its players.  However, would it not be more interesting for the Twins public to additionally hear posts made by its players, manager and others involved directly to add to the personal connection.  They appear to use an agency for their social media needs. While many players use Twitter, that is generally more individual and not organizational interaction.

While a business holds a set of goals, the personal connection made through social media plays a part in reaching those goals.  An understanding of the role of social media and the assumptions that role brings are important to understand as we interact within this social media driven world.

Finding the Balance

Does anyone else have an issue with finding balance in their social media? I don't necessarily mean too much or too little applications (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc), but how much to share and with whom. I only use Facebook currently so I'll focus on that specifically since everyone in class does use that as well (or, in Tomi's case, knows it's usage very well).

It's hard for me to decide who should be on my friend list because I know that some people have their self-esteem tied into their Facebook. The more people I have on my Facebook that I know but aren't close friends with, the less I feel willing to share what I'm up to. If I do share anything personal, I feel as though I have to defend myself from the harsh judgments of others who wanted me to be someone else or imagined I was different from the picture they got of me. Of course I remove them from my friend list ASAP but why is this happening? Why am I not allowed to post what I want on my own Facebook? Why do I have to be someone that everyone else wants me to be? And how does one even try to conform to each individual's expectations of you? It's impossible and, frankly, annoying.

So, should I start deleting all my friends? Where do I stop? I feel like I'd delete ALL of my friends which I wouldn't care at all if I knew I wouldn't be offending my family or my closest friends because, again, self-esteem is tied into social media. If someone does feel the need to pass judgment on me because they don't agree with me, I have no problem cutting them loose because, after all, they weren't my close friend anyway and I don't mind seeing them go.

It's weird even typing this out because why does any of this matter? Why are people adding me to Facebook if they don't really know me then get upset by things I post because my presentation of myself doesn't fit their predetermined image of me? Ridiculous.

I guess I'll just stick to posting innocuous things like pictures of my wiener dogs and the people who really care about me can either come see me or give me a call.