Just because we can doesn't mean we should.

Just because we can:

  • update our Facebook page during a panel presentation
  • check our email while a speaker's presenting
  • chat, Skype, tweet at anytime anywhere.
  • stream media for our listening, watching, pleasure anywhere, anytime
  • read and comment on blogs
  • read and comment on community forums,
  • comment anonymously
  • all of these, anytime and anywhere

Doesn't mean we should.

Interestingly, this rule has applied always applied to ethics in business or personal life. Just because you have the power to x, doesn't mean you should.

Discretion is the better part of valor. So it is with social media.

Disclaimer: This may come across as preachy. I'm known to preach. In this case this is not a sermon. It's written more as a marker. I'm circling around less is more.

  • Less noise, more silence.
  • More silence, less distraction.
  • More silence, less distraction... more meaning.
I don't have a ratio, a formula. I don't think there is one except that which works for each of us only today.

Tip of the hat to Samantha Rufo (blog and twitter) for the link to this article Social Media Challenges Social Rules. I'm not sure social media challenges our social rules as its freedom challenges our willingness to apply them.


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