Last week I learned a new word, Twittiquette, which works OK for business-related social media, but leaves the day to day user feeling like his/her life has no transcendence. I quote:

Be interesting. There are far too many people who even if they aren’t tweeting about their diet or the weather are still amazingly boring. Remember, if you have nothing to say it is better to keep your mouth shut.

Sure, we all want to spice in our lives, but some days are just so normally boring. It doesn’t mean we should refrain ourselves from interacting online because we’re being 100% human, right?

And now CNN decided to post a list of infamous Facebookers. Basically if you’re not discussing business or how your next start-up company is going to change the world, you shouldn’t be bothering posting what you ate for breakfast.

I know how annoying invitations to applications and quizzes are, but that’s about the only thing that can bother me about Facebook. I really don’t care about my friends post; after all I decided to add them to my list. And there’s a block option for those pesky quizzes and games, I use it (and I play those horrible games, too).

My point is, this “holier than thou” attitude I’m seeing in social media is making me sad. Someone pointed to me that humanity is always looking for exceptional people. And I wonder what it takes for someone to be exceptional. For me, an exceptional person is one who cares about the human race and strives to bring something good to everyone, especially those in need. For some others, an exceptional person is Bill Gates and his millions and his technology ideas. So that “exceptionality” is actually relative.

Nothing makes you better or worse than anyone, and nobody should make others feel like they are less because their priorities in life are different. It all depends on which pond you’re trying to swim in. I’m not going to add a bunch of technology related people to my very simple life Twitter network. And I don’t expect people to always find my posts amusing -I know I don’t find other people’s post amusing all the time- but I wouldn’t go as far as saying one way or the other is the correct one for social media interaction.

I guess it’s like everything else, we all belong in our groups and we all should look for a common ground. If I’m trying to sell a product of service, then yes, I’m all for professionalism. But if my group of Facebook and Twitter friends is composed by people who have a simple life like mine, then I wouldn’t mind to know they had toast for breakfast.

You can submit your vote at: http://kansascitytwestival.uservoice.com.

The entire community will have a say in which charity will receive 100% of the funds raised from this event. Only 1 will be selected.

Voting will be open until Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 11:59PM CST.

Please, give us your top 3 and help us decide. You have until Sunday. Thanks!

So Thursday, July 23rd, at the Peanut in Overland Park – 127th & Metcalf, 6 to 9 or so. Feel free to forward the invitation to other blogger friends who may want to come!

Blogs have been around for what, probably 10 years? Mine has been around for 8. I have days when I don’t even look at it. In the past I felt guilty when days passed without an update. These days? Not so much. After all, I have Facebook and Twitter, which allows me to have almost-IRT contact. My question is, how insightful are social media sites? And how strong are the relationships we form with other people through them? Can you really tell how a person is doing from 5 posts on Twitter? Are we simply too busy to sit down and write about something in detail? Is the world moving so fast that we can’t say more than just a few words to people?

The death of blogging is not news. I remember reading an article about it not long ago, and if you do a quick search on Google, you will find quite a few. Maybe we got tired of of reading so much over the years, or maybe we just like the small-talk social media sites like Twitter provides us with.

Whatever the reason is, I need to post this on Twitter so people will know I wrote about it. ;-)

No, I am not trying to be tragic or talk about the Armageddon. But the Mayan prophecy about the transition that will supposedly happen on December 21st, 2012 has been following me everywhere I go these days. I have to be honest and say it is more than common that I will see titles about this when I’ve visited the bookstore more often lately; but I’ve also seen it on TV, YouTube, the pharmacy, internet ads. So I started wondering about it.

Do I really want to read about what the Mayans said would happen? Yes. But at the same time I wonder if I really want to make my brain burst with an overload of things I will probably not be able to comprehend. And then there comes Physics and Astronomy in the equation… No thanks! But I’m still curious. And I found some pieces of information, mostly for my own knowledge, but since I’m supposed to post something on my blog today, I might as well share it.

Mayan End Times Prophecy — This will give you more or less general information about what the Mayans predicted, and what (according to them) would happen. Mind you is a long read, but if you’re interested, you may find it entertaining. It’s a little bit scary for me, but that’s because I relate everything that sounds apocalyptic with fear.

No Doomsday in 2012 — An explanation of why there won’t be such thing as Doomsday on 12.21.2012. And that’s the one I’m more interested in, probably because I think there’s still too much to do for the human kind to go belly up right before Christmas.

Nobody really has the answer, and Doomsday is something many people obsess about. From religious individuals, to cults, and even scientists. What is there for a mere mortal like me to do? Rationalize the fact that there is a big need for better things, and that the world is definitely not going through peachy times. But I can’t spend my time thinking when it all will end… I would go nuts. Besides, let’s say I start getting ready and anxious and I die before Doomsday. There went all my energy when I could’ve used it in a better way.

The resources are many online and offline. I might read a few, just because I’m curious like that. But I think Doomsday for me will be the day when I lose all hope. And I don’t plan to do that.

Refiners are systematic thinkers who value precision. They have the ability to see the big picture while still focusing on the details. Refiners are conscientious and disciplined. They are supportive and respectful of others. Personal and practical, Refiners tend to be family-oriented. They are deeply loyal and have a well-defined sense of right and wrong. They prefer a “democratic” style of leadership and expect others to play according to the rules.

Refiners are dependable and diligent. Fair pay and sincere appreciation for their work make them feel valued. They are deliberate in their decision-making and want to ensure that their choices do not adversely affect others.

CSE Motivators: All the facts plus enough time to analyze them, competent team members, recognition by superiors, special privileges, freedom from controls and genuine respect.

CSE De-Motivators: High pressure deadlines, too many cooks in the kitchen, rapid change, infringement on personal or family time and perceived inequity.

[Via Logtar]

Not that I care too much because I’ve become a lazy blogger. But I thought I could pass the link to those who want to be famous in the blogosphere.