Christian Anderson

the preceding comment was brought to you by irony/sarcasm - Cee Bee

I'm a democrat, but I have tried to avoid the hater-ness on Palin. But this does bug me. Put her in the game, coach. Let her take a swing. She doesn't need to hit a homer - just show she has the batspeed to play in the bigs. That's all America needs to see....the more they leave her out, the less I feel she has it.... - George Smith

looks like we hogged usernamecheck.com - Nikola Filipovic

Seems to have been slashdotted right now. - Micah Wittman via twhirl

Oh no! I still don't have my userid on every service. Gotta get busy. - Morton Fox

i still can't access the site...dang - Susan Beebe

Blocked at work as Sex/Adult Material...what kind of sites does this service check! ;-) - Aden Davies

checking my id at 12 seconds for ever - Nikola Filipovic

My name was pretty safe until Leo Laporte started http://army.twit.tv. Some wanker grabbed my name on me, which was a first. I've been using it for about 5 years without much in the way of conflict. - Chris Luckhardt

site getting bombed meh - adolfo foronda

the interesting question here as well Louis is quality and longevity of content between the two different ideas of community. Would people be willing th be more involved and make more use of a community that they had to pay dues to belong to in contrast to one they can just walk in the doors anytime they please and then leave without any further considerations .. more curiosity on my part than anything else - Steven Hodson

Louis - while I will always agree with your statement - today I interviewed the company behind jdate - it shows that pay can work in some areas - my post will be up tomorrow with more on the topic - Allen Stern

Even if there are free competitors there are some services that people will pay to be apart of the community. - Corvida

The greater the popularity of an online service/product, the more likely one or more free alternatives can and will eventually exist. - abacab

I don't think that the existence of free alternatives automatically predicts a demise for paid services. - Corvida

I'd add the phrase "all things being equal" to abacab, Louis's and Corvida's statement. In the case of JDate and Wall Street Journal, there's a certain something (real or perceived) that's worth the extra pay behind the wall. If it were simply Yet Another SocNet, then the "why pay" criticisms would hold, I think. - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins

Plenty of paid and nonpaid services that do more or less the same thing coexist, that's true. I think for some paid services, there are people that believe they get a higher level of attention, or a lower level of noise, or some other value-add (maybe proprietary info or features others can't legally offer), and that makes it worth it for them. I think there are also plenty of people that pay for things not realizing any free alternatives exist. - abacab

Good clarification Mark. I can agree with that. - Corvida

Agree with Mark. I'm a paid subscriber for ESPN's premium services, and have been for the WSJ for years. They offer unique content leadership. - Louis Gray

wait - get this -- jdate charges $39/month AND shows some ads to subs! - Allen Stern

Huh? Everyone knows that everything should be free! jdate must be stopped before they destroy the Web 2.0 ethos! - Jason Carreira

WTF is jdate? - Brian Sullivan

I've yet to meet a life scientist who believed in Creationism. - Sally Church

I might not be the least biased person to make this statement, I am a Christian and believe God created the universe, but this guy sure has a stick up his butt. Very self righteous and angry. My one question would be, what is his definition of a creationist? Is it someone who believes the earth was created in 7 24 hour days 6,000 years ago? Or someone who believes there may have been a big bang but that big bang was part of Gods action that created the universe? - ChiliMac via twhirl

The typical definition of a creationist is someone that believes that god created everything. Not that he started the whole chain of events. - Alex "Maverick" Scoble

@chilimac if you're saying you believe God created the universe, but that creation may have taken longer than 7x24 hrs AND that there very probably was a big bang, then that puts you pretty squarely in the mainstream. - Christian Anderson

http://www.reasonstobelieve.or... - Justin Long

Remember that most of the world's Christians have no opinion on creationism whatsoever. Only 10% of the world's Christians live in North America, and only a small minority of those would believe in a young earth. Most Christians in Africa and Asia wouldn't think about this issue on a regular basis and many (perhaps not most, but a solid minority) don't even have the Old Testament translated into their language. - Justin Long

There is a whole continuum of Creationisms, with Young-Earth Creationism at one end and Intelligent Design Creationism at the other: http://www.ncseweb.org/graphic... They are still all Creationism, and still all need to be understood as political stands, rather than religious: http://www.ncseweb.org/resourc... - Bora Zivkovic

The percentage of Americans that believe in a young earth is close to 45% http://www.gallup.com/poll/108... - Alejandro S.

OMG, I got a real, live silly Creationist commenting on that post! Bwahahaha! - Bora Zivkovic

@Bora Zivkovic: Why are you insulting people, who have different opinions that yours? - Peter

Creationism is not an opinion. Creationism is an insidious political tool based on ignorance. If you feel insulted, get an education and redeem yourself. - Bora Zivkovic

This type of "discussion" is what made me unsubscribe from PZ Myers blog. As in any aspect of life, there will be stubborn people that won't accept Evolution even if they give birth to an Amphioxus. The same people that think Palin is an expert in international relations because she sees Russia from Alaska. No matter how many lines you write these people will always believe what they want to believe. - Paulo Nuin

Creationists are small children who simply can't grow up. They might as well also believe in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy. Many of them believe that the Second Coming of Christ is due any minute. Infantilism is the name of the disorder. These are the kind of people who comprise the Republican base these days. - Sean McBride

As usual for this topic (navigated from either end of the narrow mind) this is turning into an opportunity to laugh at people. Of such are persecutions and wars created. I wonder if the next persecution will be "in the name of science and reason" or "in the name of $deity"? - Simon Phipps via twhirl

Soulhuntre: I gotta call bull here. In the party that votes a single issue you have GOT to be kidding me. Also you hardly act rational -- this is the first I can remember. - Robert Scoble

Nope. The world will still be here Nov. 5th. - Peter Simard

If the guy I *don't* want to win does win but doesn't destroy the country, I guess that's a good thing. But I've learned to hope for the best, but expect the worst. - Victor Ganata

but Ben: if you feel you would be served the same by both I would find that to be a fascinating statement. - Robert Scoble

Robert: there's a scientific study I read a day ago where conservatives are better able to "think" like liberals but the opposite isn't as true. I have to go find that one. My preference is ALWAYS for divided government. It forces compromise and a real vetting of the issues. Give me a republican in the White House and a Democratic Congress, or vice versa (aka the Clinton years). It tends to work out best. - Ben Parr

Robert: I vote one way because of my economic beliefs. But in the end, I don't think either guy's going to drag us into unnecessary war or destroy the economy. That's why there's checks and balances, the Fed, congress, states, and citizens. - Ben Parr

Ben: well I used to be a conservative so that probably explains why I switched. - Robert Scoble

You could be a bad person but not for this thought. Though i do think "good hands" is a little questionable. The US Constitution has taken some dirty blows by the Republicans the past 8 years. That said, i think we'll all be relatively fine and the Constitution is puking blood but will live. And I doubt too many more 100's of thousands will die around the world as a result of war we allow the President to con us into. - ·[▪_▪]·

@Robert - since I am not a member of either party, nor do I vote single issues I fail to see the problem with my stance. The bit about you thinking I am irrational? Whatever, I am getting used to the drive by insults and I still like you anyway. - Soulhuntre

I wonder if we were sitting in Germany in 1931 what our stance on this question would have been. - Robert Scoble

I'd be more inclined to think the US will be is equally bad hands whichever candidate wins. They are both part of the same system. - Cameron Reilly via twhirl

Ben while I would like to think you are right, but the last 8 years have shown the opposite. We did get dragged into an unnecessary war, our economy is not healthy. We have had a divided govt for at least two yrs and there has been not only compromise but no meaningful legislation to address these key issues. - Ruth Ferguson

Soul, 1st thanks for the follow. It will be interesting how long we can bear each other...LOL. Second, frankly I am surprised, I thought you were a conservative, i.e., republican. - Ruth Ferguson

Any who believes as you do Ben is not ipso facto bad, just ill-informed. - eggsy

Ben to your original comment - I would feel a lot better, if the McCain of 2000 was the one that would govern. Given recent events, I do not feel confident of that happening. - Ruth Ferguson

You are only if you don't vote at all. - Andrew Smith

@Ruth: there's a difference between divided government with a lame duck and one without a lame duck. But McCain has been through the harshest part of war, he has perspective few have. Obama may not have that experience, but he has empathy. Our economy's not healthy, but it isn't down the crapper either - it will recover as it always does. - Ben Parr

Godwin's law alert! - cjmart

@Robert... are you trying to get Godwin's Law changed to Scoble's Law? - Carlos Granier-Phelps

and the other other hands? - adolfo foronda

Don't assume that McCain's perspective on war has been blunted by his experiences. If anything he appears to be even more of a hawk than GW. And it obviously hasn't even given him a more enlightened view of torture as he did not vote for a bill that would have banned the use of torture in intelligence interrogations. - Alex "Maverick" Scoble

@Ruth - I don't tend to vote down the line for any party. I pick and chose individual candidates. I usually prefer the Republican candidate in presidential races mostly because the Republicans are more in line with my foreign policy views. I tend to agree with the dems on some social issues (abortion, gay marriage) but not others and more often than not the Repubs are closer to my views on the economy. - Soulhuntre

your comment on the economy brings another to mind. Will the economy recover or will it sink further and that is simply our American mindset of we always overcome talking. Look I work for a nonprofit where the mgmt has decided to not take rasises so we can have them, so I want to see us rebound. But I don't see a path anytime soon - comments? - Ruth Ferguson

Interesting observation AlexScoble. Speaking for the other side? I don't think the world will end if Obama is elected. Neither do most McCain supporters. - Michael Tefft

Typical comment Robert Scoble. That is all McCain supporters hear on FriendFeed. How we hardly act rational. Could say the same for you but what good would it do? - Michael Tefft

watching Bush and Rice make peace with Palestine makes me hope for either candidate as soon as possible - AnotherⓃⓄⒶⒽ

Soulhuntre, I would venture that there is a difference between the ideals of a Republican economy and the reality. While things like lower taxes and slashes in spending make a good platform, it's been decades since those ideals have born fruition. - Stupid Blogger (aka Tina)

@Ruth - My comment is that the President has relatively little direct control over the US economy. If we want to look at that then we need to look at the House and Senate as well as economic conditions world wide. I think the economy will recover over time because history has shown us it often does. I doubt either Obama or McCain will be the single handed agent of that recovery. - Soulhuntre

America needs more war and more torture, and that's what McCain/Palin can deliver - Indio Apache via twhirl

wrong Tina. imagine how bad an oil crises would of been if we had a socialist economy. I'm for socialism in a good economy where we can't lose biz - AnotherⓃⓄⒶⒽ

Europe is largely socialist; their economies and their Euro seem to be doing fine. - Indio Apache via twhirl

The last time we had a 10 year period this bad was over 40 years ago. And France is what you'd probably call a socialist economy and they are doing pretty well right now what with their forward thinking in investment of nuclear power and what not. The rest of Europe probably isn't doing so hot what with their dependence on Russian oil. - Alex "Maverick" Scoble

if the republican wins we will have a democrat controlled congress, if the democrat wins the reverse will be true....IMHO you already know who you are voting for....who out there is still undecided? really, come on is there really anyone out there who doesnt know which person they are voting for? - green door grizzled

yes but Europe is nominlistic. it is not a big federal government. socialism can work on the micro scale... but if it is instituted on a big scale it is trouble.. why not try healthcare just in NJ first? France needed to drop some of their socialist state... but I suppose we should as Loic about that. - AnotherⓃⓄⒶⒽ

even Republicans like social spending if you have an economy that looks like Alaska's. honestly Grizzled Librarian... I could still change my mind. if an economy goes bad and things are controlled from the top in the hierarchy then we in deep doo doo. - AnotherⓃⓄⒶⒽ

*throws yet another draft away* ;) - abacab

I think social media is in danger of becoming a punch line someday :) I mean, I enjoy it - but it's pretty clear that social media and blogging need to be seen as the biased memepools they are. Then you can start getting value from them. Mark Hopkins hit it right on the head. http://is.gd/2u0x - Soulhuntre via twhirl

Ya - what is THIS? A cult? -starts humming kumbaya- - Mona N.

The most brilliant title to any post.. EVER.. how's that for jerkin ya off? :-) - Kyle Lacy

Liking purely for use of term 'circle jerk' =) - Stupid Blogger (aka Tina)

Steven, you're dancing around the truth: people outside the bubble don't need us... at all. Social media's virtue is as a way to build networks that need not (and probably can not) break out of their niche. Even on FF, what is the most common request? Improved filters. Even in this bastion of "social networking" we seek to narrow even further our niche and make it a reflection of ourselves. Onanism is not a bad metaphor. - Sprague D

+1 Kyle and Tina - Alex "Maverick" Scoble

Steven: how long has it been since YOU worked a manufacturing job? Or since you wrote about their needs on your blog? Seems you have figured out how to write good headlines, though. Welcome to the headline writers guild of America! :-) - Robert Scoble

The title pissed me off. The title made me read. The title served its purpose. - Michael W. May

Can someone summarize this for me in one sentence please? - ·[▪_▪]·

Typo in the title, BTW. 'Social Media' isn't a circle jerk, but the people who talk about it might verge on one. If I have a conversation with a carpenter, s/he talks about more than the tools. Even if I were a carpenter, I would be bored to tears with a co-worker who only talked about the tools we use. - Stupid Blogger (aka Tina)

Robert kiss my ass :) I've been a store owner, a hot tar roofer (which is where I permanently injured myself) a truck driver a cab driver .. and most importantly I am part of the majority you have no idea of - the living poor so I think I am quite able to talk or write the way I do. - Steven Hodson

+2 @Sprague for this riff: "Onanism is not a bad metaphor." Still, I think the (huge) opportunity is out there to find a way to make this sh*t relevant to regular folks, like mom, and your boss' secretary. So how do we, uh, stop touching ourselves and start touching others outside the echo chamber? - .LAG

+1 Steve. Well said sir, well said. - Kyle Lacy

@SB .. thanks on the Typo .... - Steven Hodson

Maybe it's time to just say "social media has jumped the shark" and stop writing about it - and start writing about stuff we're really interested in. - Jason Kaneshiro

Cool. I used to work on an assembly line. Sold ice cream. Delivered appliances. Was unemployed in 2002 for a time. But you didn't answer the important question: where is YOUR "outside the circle jerk" writing? - Robert Scoble

I haven't written much about social media lately. I really don't care what it is called. - Robert Scoble

I thought that was part of the point. Maybe I misinterpreted. - Michael W. May

The web is a communications infrastructure. It's not about social media but that it's designed to replace or enhance old platforms (phone, broadcast, radio) because it is less expensive, available everywhere, device agnostic and fault resistant. It is a better, cheaper and more stable system to deliver information in case of an emergency. When you see it as this, it changes the whole landscape of what will be important. - Patricia

@Robert now yer just being facetious .. there is plenty on the blog written about stuff other than social media in the 1,600+ posts - Steven Hodson

Commented on the blog, Steven. - Mark Dykeman

Hehe, Robert...Yeah, thankfully it's been a long while since you've blogged about Twitter. - Alex "Maverick" Scoble

like just for the use of "Circle Jerk" in title - adolfo foronda

This line, in the last paragraph, is interesting, "They [fiends and family] are looking to us to help keep them safe and show them what the best tools are or what the worst ones are and why." I'm reminded of how I introduce the tools of social media to my immediate family members. Instead of saying, "Go start a FaceBook profile or Flickr/Picasa account," I instead start them out in a closed environment within our family tree, on the genealogy site Geni.com This allows them to manage their profiles in a totally secure space while experimenting with photo tagging, video embeds, book and movie links, discussion forums, and social networking. Once adept, I encourage them to expand outside the environment and pursue larger, more anonymous services. For both seniors and less tech-savy peers, this model for integration as worked surprisingly well. - Christopher Harley

Faster pussycat! - Indio Apache via twhirl

After this thread, I think I'm going back to the Hurricane room??!! - Charlie Anzman

So, wait, who's the pivot man again? - abacab

Not it! - Stupid Blogger (aka Tina)

The idea that what you or Scoble, to name two, write would even *reach* the people who "are looking to us to help" is a circle jerk in itself. Unless you're a publicized techno columnist in major media or do 2 minute segments on TV you're talking for, about and to other people just like you. - Ruud Hein

Christopher, 'fiends' was a lovely freudian slip ;-) - Sally Church

Politics and alcohol do NOT mix. - Ben Parr

What, a noisy place full of inebriated fans? Where a fight could break out at any minute? - Mark Dykeman

I am in the Hilton bar near the White House and people here are arguing about football the way we arrgue about politics or social media. - Robert Scoble

I "hide" all football at a bar? - Rochelle

Go find a blackjack table in a non-smoking casino. That will keep you entertained for a while and you probably won't lose money too quickly. :) Or do what I do in Vegas and go around taking pictures of all the freaky stuff. - Lindsay Donaghe

Totally agree, Chris (except the smoke doesn't bother me). I usually find a cafe and play computer poker on the tabletop machine or I go online. - Jack Carlson

Sounds boring but that's not what the word is Chris - Charlie Anzman

I am NOT boring and I HATE Vegas - Anna Haro

I can't stand Las Vegas, or at least 'The Strip' spent an entire week there for a Comdex. Walked the street everyday from the MGM to the convention center (wasn't going to pay $60 for cab, 1 way). I don't gamble; b/c I know I'd never stop - though did limit myself to $200; which made it up to $5,000; then over the next 4 hours lost it all. I can go to better shows in NYC or London, for cheaper; and if you've traveled the world; Vegas seems kitsch. - clarke thomas

I haven't been yet. I hate cig smoke... stuffs me up too. :( - Carmen

that's consoling for someone who's never been there... like me :) - Parth Awasthi

Well, it's better than Reno. - Rodfather

I'd like to get to Vegas once. I don't gamble and do get headaches and itchy eyes from smoke. However, I'm told there are cool things there, like an indoor roller coaster and Star Trek coolness (is that still there?). I might hate an extended stay, but if I could get to CES, I'd probably have all the entertainment I need. - MiniMage

I don't drink and I'm lots of fun! - Colide81 (James)

My sister in law lives in NV, and I've never bothered about going to Vegas. I'd rather explore the desert! - Ian May