online presence is going to become more and more important for individuals just like it has become for businesses.
at one time people chuckled at the futility of linked in... even on this forum, and now it is showing how big of a networking and career tool it can be.
twitter has its own space, and now for google+ and
It is going to vary by profession and by location, but for technology, media, marketing, pr, mobile space in US..these channels are important.
The unique advantage that guppies have is that we all can support each others efforts across channels, if we feel like they have earned it. whether it is retweeting their tweets, noting them as suggested experts for answers on linkedin.. liking their updates on Facebook, or their businesses, sharing their posts, articles, blog posts.
This is very career oriented post, but guys....use these tools to help you and those around you.
use them for fun and socializing as well, but i am sure there are ppl better suited than myself to talk about that :)
Oh and I forgot to mention, aside from not needing it in my life, it also became a super easy way for me to procrastinate :( So I'd find myself going on it just to get away from studying and uni =/ I figured it was only best for it to be out of sight and therefore out of mind, in my case anyway. It worked.
Technology is what you make of it. What I don't get is why does it have to be all-or-nothing for some people. I'm a casual FB user and I see great utility in being able to keep up-to-date with my extended family and remote friends, to be able to send messages to them on special occasions, and to chat with them every now and then. I also share my thoughts but I do so sparingly, and to me that's the key with social media - you need to think through what you want to do with these tools. I don't accept any invitations for asinine online games or quizzes because I don't see the value in these, and knowing our desi community mentality, someone is bound to take things too seriously. Again, the key is thoughtful use of tools - technology is not to blame.
I also agree completely with X2. It's only a matter of time that social media will replace the traditional email / IM modes of online communication in our personal and professional lives.