Coming to grips with ‘The Facebook Effect’

19 May

Posted by: BryanPerson in: Social Media Breakfast

What does it mean when Grandma friends you on Facebook?

I’ll try to answer that very question from 7:30-9:00am next Wednesday, May 27, when I lead a conversation at San Diego’s Social Media Breakfast 5 at Milano Coffee Co.

I’m calling my talk “The Facebook Effect.” Here’s an overview:

Social media channels like Facebook are changing our conversational relationships. The borders we have traditionally erected between our separate social groups–family members, friends, workmates, etc.–evaporate online. Now, within the very same social network, your status updates can be read by your co-workers, that old bully from the 3rd grade who’s just become your “friend,” and your parents and kids alike. Disconcerting … or the new normal?

How is ‘The Facebook Effect’ playing out in your life?

Here’s where I’m asking for your help: I’m looking for examples and stories where social tools and sites like Facebook have turned your traditional conversational relationships upside down. Share your tales in the comments section below, and I’ll do my best to work them into the breakfast discussion.

Some questions to get you thinking:

How do you handle comments on your blog by your mother?
What happens when a former classmate tags you in a 1980s photo on Facebook (bad mullet and all) and your boss gives it a “thumbs up in your stream?
What if you ask a friend why he didn’t e-mail you about the birth of his son, and he replies with, “Hey, didn’t you see my tweet?”

I look forward to your input.

Flickr photo by SpaceOdissey. And no, she’s not my actual grandmother.

2 Responses

Heather Philipp
20|May|2009 1

I enjoy the confluence of communities on all of my social media platforms. And as a performer and media day jobber, I know that my public display of updates and quirk are just fuel for the fodder of connection. That said, I handle uncomfortable and sometimes inappropriate comments, etc. with a good old fashioned delete and have on occassion employed the handy dandy viewing restrictions of Facebook to keep some off of my wall. It works just fine.

I take it all with a grain of salt and assume others do, as well and simply don’t care too much when they don’t. And for my close relationships, I don’t substitute online communications for the personal. Nor do I appreciate it in others… though rarely see it in my close circle.

Good topic! Thanks.
~ Heather Marie Philipp
Shonali Burke, ABC
20|May|2009 2

I had a good laugh when I read your post, Bryan; I’ve been in (or guilty of) almost all those situations.

I became very comfortable with Facebook (which I held out against for the longest time) before “advancing” to Twitter, which pretty much dominates my SM life now. With both, however, I’ve found myself re-connecting with old friends and conversing more regularly with family than otherwise would be possible, particularly on Facebook.

I’ve also found that since syncing my Twitter status updates to Facebook (never the other way around), I’m engaged with a lot more of my Facebook connections than I used to be. And in some ways, I think several close as well as extended family members feel more connected to me now, than before the advent of these platforms; I know do to them.

I’ve never really been one for keeping the different aspects of my life separate, so I think my online and SM conversations are an extension of who I am IRL.

As far as comments on my blog go, family members ain’t allowed, unless it’s a personal post. That’s just the way I roll.