Danny Brown

podcaster - author - creator

Archives for July 2009

The Social Media Drinking Game

IMG_25581The weekend’s almost here, and for the U.S. it’s the Fourth of July weekend.

So, in honour of that and to help your weekend get off to a flier let me introduce the Social Media Drinking Game. It’s ideal for long drunken sessions or short thirst quenchers – or even both at once.

And if you’re not celebrating Independence Day this weekend – join in the fun anyway!

The rules are simple – just follow the instructions below. And remember to leave the car keys at home!

  • If you hear the phrase “echo chamber”, have a full glass of beer. You may hear this a lot and being drunk and comatose will help you get by.
  • If you’re dissed by Amanda Chapel… actually, you get nothing. This isn’t a challenge at all.
  • Every time Mashable does a Twitter story, have a shot of chilled vodka. Be prepared to get very drunk.
  • If Brian Solis writes a blog post less than 1,000 words, have some champagne. This deserves a special drink.
  • For every Twitter profile that has “guru”, “ninja”, “jedi”, “expert” or “master” in it, have a Jack Daniel’s and coke. The soft drink might just keep you going longer.
  • If someone is speaking at the equivalent of a conference a month on the same topic to the same audience, have a single malt Scotch.

Okay, these are just some to get you started. What others would you add to the cocktail?

Note – this is just a bit of fun to lead into the weekend; don’t take it too seriously. The majority of people on here I respect immensely. Happy Fourth of July!

Creative Commons License photo credit: mark sebastian

Why Being Yourself is the Only Thing That Matters

American Spirit Organic CigarettesI’m getting a little jaded currently by various professionals, consultants and business “superstars” on their blogs and other online forums.

The biggest issue is where a point’s been made by the author, someone disagrees because of a personal opinion, and the author backtracks and jumps the other way.

Why?

If you didn’t believe in the thing you wrote about or spoke of in the first place, why mention it? Was it to court popularity? Or appear that you’re agreeing with the majority when instead the opposite would have been true?

The funny thing is that this is happening more and more, and instead of showing that you’re open to debate and differing views it suggests that you can’t make your mind up. Or worse still, are hesitant on the validity of your own beliefs (business and personal).

If that’s the way some people want to play, fair enough – everyone’s entitled to handle themselves the way they feel is best for them.

But just because someone disagrees with you, do you really need to then agree 100% with them on their point? Or does that just weaken your original argument and authority on the topic at hand?

I’m all for admitting that your original thoughts may not be completely right and understanding other points of view, but don’t lose your voice because of it. One of the best examples of someone that stays true to their beliefs is Geoff Livingston. We’ve butted heads in the past and I don’t always agree with his approach, but I respect him 100% for staying true to himself.

The one thing that separates you from everyone else is your belief. It’s what makes you who you are. It’s your conscience; your moral fibre; your business mantra; the reason people either respect you or don’t.

When you lose that, you lose yourself and any respect that people may have built up in you. Surely that’s more important than any perceived popularity contest.

Isn’t it?

Creative Commons License photo credit: ATIS547

A Burst of Reality in Social Media

We spend so much time in social media that it’s easy to forget real life. Yes, social media is “real life” but I think you know what I mean.

I just found out from a friend that blogger and Twitter user Meg Porter (@megapixel) was killed in a car crash last week.

She was 24-years old. Just a kid, really, with a huge life ahead of her.

I’d chatted a few times with Meg a while back but, like so many other connections, never really had? a chance to get to know her really well. But I do recall her making me laugh a few times with her words.

Even though I didn’t know Meg as much as some of my other online friends, the news of her death still came as a shock and upsets me. So much life taken away in an instant. So much for Meg to live for.

Meg was a great video blogger, and her videos show you a lot more behind the person. She also took some great photographs and you could tell that a brilliant, creative mind lived inside this young lady.

We move in such fast circles and fast times, always chasing the newest application or technology, that we can forget there are real people and real things happening every hour, every day away from our computer screens.

Meg Porter was one of these people. Her sad death is one of these real things.

While social media is the space we live in, let’s make sure we enjoy the space away from it too. We never know when it might end.

My thoughts go out to Meg’s family and friends – I’m sorry for your loss.