So I’m in the checkout line at the grocery store. In front of me is an overweight mother and child. Their cart is filled with refined carbohydrates, microwave food and snacks. Not a hint of vegetable or fruit. Not a whole grain to be found. Behind me is a mother and daughter with what appear to be balanced weight and height. Their cart is flush with fresh ... Continue Reading about Heavies to the Left of Me, Beanpoles to the Right
Psychomanipulation and Social Health
Last week Michael Arrington wrote an important piece in Techcrunch, Blogging and Mass Psychomanipulation. It details how as bloggers we play to our readers for positive regard. We give ‘em red meat. I think there’s social health psychomanipulation. Many of us indulge the obvious social health memes. We universally bash pharma, blindly buoy the empowered, blame the ... Continue Reading about Psychomanipulation and Social Health
A Blog Without Comments is Still a Blog
I once knew a blogger tormented by a troll. I suggested that he disable his comments. “But then it wouldn’t be a blog,” he whined. Says who? I must have missed the email suggesting that blogs have to have comments. Apparently Seth Godin missed it as well (you can read why he disables comments here). Perhaps comments don't often add much to a blog (The only ... Continue Reading about A Blog Without Comments is Still a Blog
Social Media as Therapy
Last week Robert Scoble announced on Cinchcast the fresh news that his son Milan had just been diagnosed with autism. I often listen to his Cinchcasts and the disappointment in his voice was heartbreaking. Then I began to wonder: If one of my children were to receive a devastating diagnosis would my first impulse be to share the news on a public platform? ... Continue Reading about Social Media as Therapy
Mitch Joel on How to Grow a Hospital Audience
So I’ve been helping my own hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital, cultivate its own social presence. And like every hospital the same questions come up: Facebook, Twitter, our emerging blog – how do we use them to build community around our hospital? The answer comes from Mitch Joel at Six Pixels of Separation who posted recently on community building: "As you ... Continue Reading about Mitch Joel on How to Grow a Hospital Audience
Booknotes: The Facebook Effect
I recently finished The Facebook Effect by David Kirkpatrick. This is the most detailed account of the Facebook phenomenon thus far. I think it's worth a read if you want to understand precisely how Facebook evolved to its current form. The book offers a history of Mark Zuckerberg’s climb more than a compelling discussion of Facebook’s cultural impact or ... Continue Reading about Booknotes: The Facebook Effect