Sometimes you just gotta go with counterculture brands.
And in the game of social media, the counterculture brand du jour would be NOSO. Although not for long. This anti-social social media movement is quietly becoming all the rage.
The intro video, in a Hal-ish voiceover, explains NOSO as a “. . . real-world platform for temporary disengagement from your social networking environment . . .”
And, though I love social media and all that it offers, I must admit that the whole concept is very attractive. No agenda, no texting, no Twit’ing . . . just existing and navel gazing. What’s not to like about that?
However, I’m one of the fortunate ones. Although I write for several blogs and have a monthly column at WomenEntrepreneur.com, blogging and social networking activities have not taken over my life. That is due, in large part, to how I manage my schedule. I really do like writing, so it would be pretty easy for me to get caught up in the rapture of needing to post pithy blog post after pithy blog post. I avoid that by dedicating one day for writing blog content and a portion of two other days to blog management and social media/networking activities (i.e. reviewing friend requests on Facebook, responding to LinkedIn requests, making sure my blog has my most recent speaking schedule, etc.)
I know that not everyone has the same work style or approach that I do. Many people don’t know when enough is enough. They blog and blog and blog until they have nothing left–their content is all spent, then they suffer from burnout and die. Those types need a virtual chill pill. Permission and a means to disconnect momentarily–and NOSO offers that.
NOSO is not right for everyone. Ask your doctor if NOSO is right for you.
This entry was posted on Monday, May 19th, 2008 at 10:38 am and is filed under Blogging, Productivity, Trends, Social Media. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.2 Responses to “Just Say NOSO”
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May 20th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
I usually agree with almost everything you blog about, but this is ridiculous… and kind of weird. Next time I feel like meeting a stranger in a book store to quietly strum a guitar and sing kumbaya, I’ll just go play with my kids instead. How about instead of NOSO we create NOWires and dedicate some time each day to being outside with family and real friends.
Because in essence this is just an inperson networking opportunity cloaked by a half-ass attempt to create a movement that’s really the same thing as any other social media outlet.
And furthermore, what if your fellow NOSOer is a crazy person? At least online, they can’t see me or follow me home.
May 20th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Jennifer:
You don’t have to agree with everything I say to read this blog and I thank you for your comment.
I agree with you, NOSO is weird…but that’s exactly why I like it!
I like your idea of NOWires and spending more time with family and friends. I’m for anything that gets people who normally wouldn’t take a break, away from the computer.
And, yes, there are opportunities to network with NOSO, but the whole point of it is to not to. But, aren’t all events networking opportunities really?
I would disagree in calling the NOSO project “half-ass”. I think it’s rather well done - I wouldn’t have mentioned it otherwise. I’m not big on half-assed.
C’mon, please don’t go there about “crazy people”…you’re meeting in apublic place and people meet people they only know online everyday.
In fact, right now, I’m speaking at the Executing Social Media Conference in LA and I’ve never met the conference coordinator, John, before, yet we’re a conference sponsor and I’m looking forward to meeting him face-to-face.
I think we’re all adults here and can use the appropriate caution and security when meeting people we don’t know.
I would invite you to be “easy” and keep an open mind.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
-Lena