Calling BS on that for which you are known
BJ Mendelson -- upstate Twitter archduke (currently 772k followers), one-time UAlbany grad student, purveyor of air -- has a new book: Social Media is Bullsh*t. You can probably guess the central argument of the book from its title.
Here's a clip from the blurbage on his publisher's site:
In this lively, insightful guide, journalist and social critic B.J. Mendelson skillfully debunks the myths of social media. He illustrates how the notion of "social media" first came to prominence, why it has become such a powerful presence in the marketing field, and who stands to benefit each time it's touted in the press. He shows you why all the Facebook friends and Twitter followers in the world mean nothing to you and your business without old-fashioned, real-world connections. He examines popular tales of social media "success," and reveals some unsettling truths behind the surface. And he tells you how to best harness the potential of the Internet--without spending a fortune in the process.
We haven't seen the book, yet (apparently it includes the term "Cyber Hipsters"). But it's some sort of trick to be able to turn a massive follower count on Twitter into a book that argues a massive follower count on Twitter is meaningless. It got him on CNBC this week.
He'll be at the Barnes & Noble at Colonie Center today (Friday) for a book signing, from 4-6 pm.
photo: Matthew Farenell
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Comments
That picture radiates smugness- lets see how it goes when he tries to parlay this into a career.
... said Eric Scheirer Stott on Sep 7, 2012 at 1:15 PM | link
...I'm sorry, when did this graduate school drop-out become a journalist?
Writing a popular Twitter does not make you a journalist. Neither does writing a book.
... said Kelly on Sep 7, 2012 at 1:27 PM | link
Hey Eric,
I actually hate that picture for that reason. The photographer did a good job, but ... that kind of picture is what publishers want. I would have preferred something funnier.
***
Kelly,
You're absolutely right. Thankfully, I did about three years worth of actual research and interviews for Social Media Is Bullsh*t. If I mentioned a person by name in the book, I tracked them down and interviewed them at length. So I hope you'll pick it up or at least browse a copy at your local book store before judging it.
P.S. I didn't drop out of graduate school. I switched programs after deciding I wanted to work with college students in a different capacity than teaching them.
... said B.J. Mendelson on Sep 9, 2012 at 12:14 AM | link
I have to say, BJ taking the time to track down my Twitter to reply to me there, rather than just post in comments, says something.
What it says, I'll leave it up to other readers here to determine.
... said Kelly on Sep 9, 2012 at 1:35 AM | link
> What it says, I'll leave it up to other readers here to determine.
What it says, is that it's not difficult to track down somebody who posts a mind-boggling 95+ tweets a day on average. That is, indeed, social media bullsh*t.
... said -S on Sep 10, 2012 at 10:19 PM | link