Networking Without the Work

Networking has garnered a new stigma. Networking is now considered to be a strategy for the social elite.

In the articles "The Savy Networker" by Liz Ryan and "Networking for People Who Hate Networking," by Penelope Trunk explain that the new stigma is nothing more than an illusion.

Both stress the importance of networking but that it is not only about yourself when you do it. Networking also involves listening to what others have to say so that you can show a personal connection.

As important as it may be to plug yourself and attempt to dominate the conversation, the best networking can be accomplished just by seeing what people are interested in.

Liz Ryan explains that dominating conversation won't help when trying to build a connection,

"Schmoozing is by far the least important networking skill. Good listening is far more useful to a relationship-builder than the ability to spit a thirty-second elevator pitch into someone's face."

Networking doesn't have to be stressful, instead can happen naturally and will help connections when you are employed or looking for work. It is important to always be networking but don't think of it as a task instead think of it as building a relationship that will pay dividends in the future.

iFound You With My iPhone

"Hey, where are you?"

"Just check your phone, I'm the blue dot."

With phones that are equipped with GPS, you will never have to call someone to find out where they are. Instead just check an application on your phone and you will see a contact in your phone.

Whether someone is driving in a car or using the bathroom, it is easier to find someone than ever before.

In the articles "Rise and Rise of the GPS Mobile" by Marc Ceislak and "Students' new best friend: 'MoSoSo'" by Gloria Goodale they cite that there is a huge rise in the use of phone GPS.

I think GPS is a great innovation to be incorporated to phones. I personally have an iPhone and the use of GPS has saved me countless times after getting lost while driving.

As more phone carriers incorporate GPS I believe there can be a lot of positive outcomes. If people are able to find each other easier it can open up new lines of communication. If someone goes missing they can be found easier as GPS will find their phone.

Socially it can connect people together as they can meet up at locations that can be pinpointed.

I think GPS is great to have on a phone as it is difficult to carry a computer or laptop with you at times. Having it on a phone is convienent as it is small enough to fit in a pocket. Since a phone can do so much it only makes sense to have GPS be included.

The Social Retail Store, Where We Are The Product

With the increase in the implementation of social networking in business it has become more important for corporations to utilize effective advertising.

In the article "Word Of Mouse" it is highlighted that more social networking websites such as Facebook and Myspace are looking into what users post and giving that information to advertisers to adjust their ads to target users. I find it skeptical that these websites are giving all the information that are on our pages to these advertisers. Although it is possible to change your privacy settings to make that not happen, I believe that your facebook should be private by default and instead have the option to give information away. On the other side it is beneficial to those companies because they have the capabilty to improve on things that we may not like

In 10 Harsh Truths About Corporate Blogging it is outlined how important is it for companies to take information that is given to them by websites like Facebook and improve. Facebook gives businesses the ability to improve on what users don't like. As much as I don't like facebook giving my information away, it is useful to know it can be going to something that can help me out in the long run.

The Internet Makes Us Stupid...?

I believe the people who believe the Internet is making us stupid, are actually the people who are making everyone else stupid.

Namely Nobel Laureate Dorris Lessing. In the article "Nobel Laureate Says The Internet Makes Us Dumb, We Say: Meh" She argues that people who use the computer are becoming dumb. I believe she refuses to accept new technology that has proven to help people as a means of communicating information. The internet has given access to information that was not available without the network of the Internet.

In the article "The Digital Emporer Has No Clothes" Andrew Keen argues that with the creation of web 2.0 people are also becoming dumb as any person has the ability to post information which shuts out professionals. Keen believes that since web 2.0 has opened up the internet to everyone that they are inherently less reliable. I believe that web 2.0 has altered the way news is shaped, users post information and other users can act as fact checkers at a faster rate than traditional news sources.

The Internet has strengthened our ability to gain knowledge rather than weaken it. Lessing and Keen have not fully adjusted to the benefits that the Internet offers, instead they stick to a traditionalist approach which will keep them jaded from the real benefits.