Here is a comment I posted on Friendfeed. http://friendfeed.com/e/9522116d-adfe-6ded-a4bb-4f4f977ab93a/The-war-against-despair-is-up-to-you-new


Hi--

I took some weekend interest in this discussion and many of your comments. First. I think the spirit of your discussion is right on, I just feel the social media movement hasn't quite figured out how to build the bridge to the next era that transcends the education factor and mass utilization barrier.

Whether the U.S. economy really tanks, or not is yet to be seen, but social media is here, the time is now, and the medium is a powerful tool to connect the world, businesses, ideas, etc. Right now, social media is operating on lot of hype, word of mouth and mass experimentation. Some or more of you are the social media elders (pioneers) and Twitter and blogging rock stars.

This movement is your baby, and your vision has blossomed into an exciting New Media movement (as Mr. Scoble calls it, and I like that term) where it is now in position to create it's own destiny. While you built it (and thank you for an amazing contribution and all the passion and energy you put into it), new people and energy (like me) are coming into place to "help" take it to a new level.

The credibility factor of social/new media is interesting, because social media allows for the masses to contribute to this vehicle, thus opening the door to potential credibility hits.

One area where social media/new media does not yet excel is in how it compliments or rises above with the mainstream media. Once this hurdle is overcome, opportunities are limitless, and the oyster can be yours. Right now, the mainstream media is pounding the drums of politics, economy and yes, some doom and gloom.

If social media/new media is going reach it's fullest potential, it is time for many of the social media leaders (yes you!) in place to take a step up to the plate and bridge the paradigm. Social media will need to outsmart the media by nurturing dynamic, knowledgeable experts who can offer better, more credible, and quicker perspectives then the media can, especially in a day and age when so much mis-information is quickly spread and blown out of proportion.

It is also time for some of you to become mainstream new media spokespeople to build your case and educate others. Write your books, expand your blog readership and learn how to make mainstream press, while holding your own against the press. I've been in the book and magazine industry for a long time, and even I know if you write a book, and it doesn't sell, all you've really got to show for it is an "author's ego" Just posting a tweet to 30,000 of your followers isn't going to cut it.

Also, as Twitter breaks into the mainstream, we're seeing networks like CNN giving it some recognition. However, I think this is part of the novelty stage. A new medium rises, and the media wants to figure it out. I am seeing both positive and negative press on Twitter, and it reminds me of 10 years ago when the mainstream media attacked and poked at Matt Drudge of the www.drudgereport.com, but most of them secretly (and regularly) visited his page to see what he posted next.

There is a whole world out there for social media/new media (or whatever you want to call it) to influence and inspire. Whether there are soup lines or not isn't relevant, because in your hands is the one component of the future, and your time is now.

Thanks for reading.

Scott