And although I mentioned being disappointed with a lot of blogs, big props to you for actually responding to comments, and not just once, and not just with pat answers but actual thoughtful replies. An uncommon practice that will have me return for more.
Luis Antezana´s last blog ..luckylou: Hitting Portland with Mr. Trickett and QlikView for the YWCA Offkey Karaoke fundraiser at Weiden Kennedy. Great cause! Thanks to @forkfly

@TimOtis, I think the dynamics of social communities bring out all sorts, they come and they go. Nice advice!

@LuisAntezana, it’s nice to meet you here and on Twitter, thanks for dropping by! You’ve noticed the ‘echo chamber,’ eh?

As for the telephone analogy, I agree, I think we are at a point where we need blogs that address all levels of understanding: basic, intermediate and advanced. We have to remember that not everyone is at the same level of understanding or implementation.

My point, or maybe it’s just my opinion, is that when people start getting involved in social media for the first time, we can still learn from them…a different experience, a different viewpoint, etc. All of those experiences help thought leaders broaden their initial thoughts and mindsets as the social network grows and changes.

You speak of social media leeches who don’t contribute, sucking the blood of those who do and enjoying the benefits of the network. I too often see blogs that seem to have simply sucked the content from others and repost nothing but what has already been said before a million times.

It’s like if someone were to start blogging about how to use a phone. At some point there is a basic understanding of what we’re all doing here. If you’re going to blog about phones, then let’s move on and at least start blogging about cool things you can do with phones, or how to make songs out of touchtone sounds, or some kind of actual contribution that moves the concepts and conversation forward.

My conceit however, is that I am assuming we’re all as familiar with social networking as phones. While some of us are such veterans, many are new to this world or still gaining their bearings, and what is old hat for some is valuable information to others. I’m sure the things I first read weren’t posted by whomever first thought of those concepts, and yet they helped me along.

So, too, your point about the value of the network in passing along information is old news and yet here I am, hearing it again and still finding a new perspective on it and growing from it.

Thanks

Social media leaches, listen up. If you want to avoid blood-sucking, please think before you tweet or comment. If it adds or encourages new thought, well said. If it’s an attack or attempt to undermine one’s own thoughtful/thorough counsel, please leave the community and tell all the kids waiting in line for Santa Claus that he isn’t real.