Comments on: Thoughts on Echo Chambers

By: Anna

Anna — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:17:24 +0000

This is very cool, I’ve never heard the term echo chamber before. I’m going to repeat it to every social media person I meet ;)
But seriously, you’re right about mixing in other circles. It helps bring weight to the very things you are participating in, what’s conversation if it’s not a mutual knowledge share?

By: Raul

Raul — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:35:07 +0000

I was going to wait to comment until tomorrow, when my post linking to your post came out (tomorrow), but seeing as both Meg and Buzz have already commented, I might as well jump in.

There are, as you know, some good elements to our Vancouver social media crowd. Some bad elements as well. I take the good with the bad. I agree with Meg that in Vancouver we have more drama per square foot than in other places. We are also more geographically concentrated.

One time, not too long ago, Meg gave me a great piece of advice on Facebook “… eschew drama”. I’m trying my hardest to do exactly that.

The insights I gained from your post was “pick and choose events” and “make sure to have your priorities right”, and “create meaningful, real friendships”.

For all those insights, and many other things that we share, thank you.

By: Gillian Shaw

Gillian Shaw — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:38:01 +0000

I think you’re right Colleen, there’s always the danger of sitting in front of your computer and not actually going out and talking to people in real life. I find Vancouver online and off a welcoming community and fortunately have friends who don’t even bank online to remind me that people can actually carry on their lives off the Web. :)

By: buzz

buzz — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:23:50 +0000

Amen.

One can only read the same tweet about the same event with the same hashtag so many times before it becomes very very very tired.

Unfollow local, refollow international is a great way to freshen up your perspective and quiet the ringing echo in your feeds.

By: Meg

Meg — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:01:26 +0000

Knowing the characters from probably four of the “scenes” and the kinds of conversations and subjects come up, and how well everyone gets along (outwardly and in reality), I’d say my future home of Boston wins for least drama, most diversity, and most inclusive community. I loved hanging with Bostonites — everyone is so excited to meet everyone.

San Francisco actually would come second, because people approach the subject from so many different directions, and it’s HUGE — and people mostly get along, too. Some drama, but it mostly ends up with people learning more and generating some great discussions.

New York has some crazy background tensions, but fantastic opportunities, and one of the best job/job recommendation networks out there. My New York connections are amazing.

Vancouver? Yeah. More drama and angst per square inch. Every time I think of dipping my toe in, I watch the complaining and sarcasm and complaints of bullying and angst come up on Twitter and Facebook and EEEK. No thank you. Life is too short.

Regardless of what you want to learn or what you want to do, my advice is to a) be kind b) don’t talk shit about other people c) keep your ears open, and d) keep karma in mind.

But those are my rules for everywhere.