Defy the Social Media Blackout

There has been a call today for a Twitterout—and some are even calling for a social media blackout. The idea is to see how productive one might be without using social media for a day.

I have two words for that idea: screw that.

I find it disturbing that my generation heeds the warnings of the less digital that the Internet is a waste of time. After spending 12 years in highly digital work spaces, I work in what I would consider a traditional work environment these days--and ad agency--and the only difference is that people waste their time in person here. For example, they hang out in each others' offices instead of IMing or spending time on facebook.

First of all, I would suggest that the concept of "wasting time" is a purely industrial one that needs to be banished along with time cards and mandatory in-office desk time. Who's to say that chatting around the office cooler, or for that matter, twittering, is wasteful? I find myself more productive when I am in contact with my people, meaning the ones who teach me and inspire me to do better work. Work is not linear, at least not for me. In this new environment, where I feel chained to my desk from 9 to 5, I find myself less inspired.

Second, the only difference between in-person and digital connections is one of choice. I call it "interest space," meaning that I form more meaningful connections via the web since I can connect with people I want to connect with. Here at the office, I have a small pool of which more forced interactions. That's not to say I don't find many of the people I work with brilliant, it's just to say that I don't have a choice.

So that's my take on a Twitterout or a social media blackout or whatever it may be. While we're at it let's ban rock-n-roll and books, and how about electricity.

Oh, and to join to blackout just go to facebook, oh wait, I think that's banned.