Interesting blog post HERE from Brad Rourke, recounting some main ideas from his recent read of, "America Calling: A Social History of the Telephone to 1940." Although the book was published in the early 90s - before we knew much beyond bag phones - Rourke moves past the obvious comparisons to cell phones and onto seeing social media as the new telephone. Closing the post, Rourke suggests that things we now view as utilities (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, etc.) will eventually become second nature, and people will engage as regularly as they answer their cell phone.
My question: Aren't we already there? How many people check their Facebook page daily? Hourly? Or more often. Some would say we're already moving on to the next generation of these "new" social media tools. I mean, when does something like Twitter go from being cool and new to dated and boring? When everyone hops on the bandwagon, does a social media platform become obsolete -- or is it still a great way to deliver information quickly and connect to new audiences? Where is the tipping point.
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2 comments:
I think you are right...more and more museums are jumping on the social media bandwagon. And for one very obvious reason - free marketing! HCF utilizes all (or most all) of them and I think it's been positive feedback. We have to think about getting the younger generations excited about history and museums. And I know most people check facebook every day :)
Very true -- and I spend a part of everyday updating the Russell Library's blog, facebook page, or Twitter account. Its a great way to keep in touch -- but it also makes me feel like we have to keep an eye out for what is coming next. What will the new hot platform be? And, should we invest energy in each one that comes along?
That said, I love updating this stuff - and I hope we keep participating, since it does get our name & our collections out there.
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