“Attention FriendFeeders: Please do not let a few political zealots drive you away from FF. Don't let "them" win. I don't know who "them" is, but do NOT let them win!”
Us vs. Them? With us or against us? :) - Jeff Quinton
Robert -- of course, since it reflects the intensity of their emotional engagement with the medium. - Sean McBride
Scoble, my favorite is people who complain about how dirty campaigning has gotten. They must have mixed basic history lessons going all the way back to Jefferson vs. Adams. - Jeff Quinton
"don't let them win?" is FF a battleground for something? last time i checked it's an equal opportunity lifestreaming service. my point: let's all take responsibility for all the information we share and consume. my two cents. - ~C4Chaos
As far as I see it, there are a few bad apples that go through and taint every political convo looking for an argument. You can see the threads turn for the worst, but some of the "good" people still get caught up. Don't let these people pull you in. It's just that simple :) - Rahsheen(isSoAwesome)
I'm not sure why we've all decided that political discussions are ruining FriendFeed while pointless inside jokes about pork products are its ideal application. What's wrong with actively engaged people discussing politics, even if it gets a bit heated? - Lon Harris via twhirl
Rahsheen: I find that block works very well for keeping these types out of my view. More people should block jerks. And I'm not talking about people who disagree with you. I don't block for that. I block for people who are just jerks. They are two different things. Plus, people, use hide and move on! Geesh. - Robert Scoble
Interesting how FriendFeed can be different things to different people and how people are using it for different purposes. - Paul Reynolds
Robert: Total agreement from me there! Is it just me, or are the blockable people really starting to come out of the woodwork here on ff? - Slippy Lane
Kol: someone I wouldn't let stay in my living room. - Robert Scoble
I don't know Kol, but a "yankee" is the same as a quickie, except it can be done solo. /shrug - Mattb4rd
Hey now, hey now, don't dream it's over. Sorry. Had a Crowded House moment there. - Mark Dykeman
A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.
Winston Churchill - Earl E Morningwood
@Robert Scoble (scobleizer): OK <still learning American> ;-) - Kol Tregaskes via NoiseRiver
Still trying to figure out what's so scary about political debate. I still find all the conversation *about* Friendfeed (and Twitter. And the iPhone) to be a lot more nauseating and off putting. At least politics matters. - Eric
It's not the politics that are the problem, it's what results when one side or the other pushes it from discussion over to a silly argument - Rahsheen(isSoAwesome)
+1 Patricia. Also keep in mind that not everyone on FF is American or lives in the US. To many of us "outsiders" the entire pre-election circus is somewhere between irrelevant and disgusting. So... hide, hide, hide... - Ray Metzen
Ray: funny, I just spent a week in Germany. Everyone there asked me about the Presidential campaign. So a lot of people outside of US are interested in our politics too. - Robert Scoble
Robert, certainly many people worldwide are interested in the US election and take the chance to discuss the subject with a knowledgeable person when they have the chance. It's the constant barrage of irrelevant detail and bickering that's so off-putting for someone who's not directly affected. - Ray Metzen
Ray: this is why I say who you follow defines you. If you are following someone who is polluting your inbound I think you've chosen unwisely. Now, sometimes that happens to me, and I find the "Hide" link works very well in most of those situations. - Robert Scoble
I have taken it to the next level. Anyone who pollutes my 'knowledge' stream with the exception of Twitter, I just review their content as perhaps I was mistaken in subscribing at all. This is consistent with my stated policy of only subscribing to those I feel add value to my day. For me I use FF for Social Media and Mobile news and information outside of that I am not typically interested. - Roger Kondrat
Good point, Robert, but it's not always that clear-cut. I follow quite a few people because I like the tech news they are posting. Now when they suddenly start to post a lot about politics, I won't unsubscribe from them because I still like some of their posts. It's just the politics I want to get rid of. A weekly summary would be quite enough to satisfy my curiosity about the election. - Ray Metzen
Ultimately, the only thing that matters with regards to politics is who you're going to vote for. No amount of talking *at* each other is going to change anyone's mind. - Paul Reynolds
At some point if start filtering out everything you don't like or want to hear or are interested then you've pretty much will asure the end of social networks. - Paul via twhirl
I won't Rasheen! I've been making liberal use of the hide button for the stuff that's ridiculous or when people start getting overly snarky (some snark is fine.) And today I stepped away for awhile. I like hearing other's opinions, but it was getting pretty overwhelming this morning. - JMS
Even though Mark Cuban can be a dink everyone once in awhile (which can be refreshing at times!).... finally someone who doesn't pretend to understand what the hell is going on. - Gabriel N.
It bugs the crap out of me, too. I like to lash outward, rather than inward. I'm going to start running around with a fork, soon. Folks better watch out. - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins
I'll have to stock up on corks to protect me from Mark. "Not mother?" - AlexScoble(Robert'sBro)
Lindsey, I'm sure they exist, but I haven't seen them ;) - Veronica
A part of me hates it but a part of me thinks it's good. Shouldn't we be passionate about presidential politics? I'd rather have that than apathy. That said, it wears me out when I get sucked in ... yet it's important damn it! If I can muster another back and forth on SEO or FF3 or anything else ... can't I do the same for a presidential election? *sigh* Time for LOLcats. - AJ Kohn
AJ, perfect idea! Every time I see a stupid comment, I'm giving myself a LOLcat chaser. - Veronica
I think that as long as people are civil in their discussions that public discourse is a great thing. And it's good fun, to boot! - AlexScoble(Robert'sBro)
I think it's because I don't like competition... it's why I don't engage in PvP, and why I don't argue about politics! Heh. - Veronica
Passionate debates over politics are central to our democracy. Frankly, I'm sad that it seems so CONTAINED to the Internet. - Kevin Hessel
I really only like to argue about more concrete things. - Lindsey Smith
I agree Veronica, it shouldn't about competition, per se. It should be more about learning and sharing than who's right and who's wrong...then again when someone says something wrong, I'll definitely let them know, in the most civil way possible...most of the time. I think I remember writing a post where I called a certain class of people idiots, but I'm feeling a lot better now. :) - AlexScoble(Robert'sBro)
Plus, I don't think it's good business for you to piss off half your viewership one way or another for Tekzilla... - Live4Soccer
Why, so we can go back to the important business of blogging about blogging, twittering about twitter, and iPhoning about iPhone? Hard to imagine a more important thing to "squabble" about than the future of our nation and our world. What bugs me are the children who can't have a civil discussion or restrain themselves from personal attacks. Also agree with Lindsey - there are some very constructive, civil discussions occuring, and I'm glad. - Anthony Citrano
Just wait until we can Digg for our President... - Jason Wong
no matter who wins they are just puppets on strings does it matter? - orionstarr
Sarah Palin is hot! I mean hot. Veronica... I ain't squabbling. I'm salivating - Noah David Simon
Do what I did, hide or close pages of squabbles. Then start to spam people with cyber hugs, lolcats, caramell dansen videos and cute overload pictures. It's working. - Candace Holly
Squabbles are exactly what they are. Hiding is the true power of FriendFeed! - Paul Reynolds
Yeah! Why can't we go back to discussing *important* stuff, like Twitter, Friendfeed itself, or the latest iPhone? I mean, who really cares whether we bomb Iran, or if we get quality healthcare, or what kind of energy policy we have? - Eric
the problem I have is wading past the uninformed takes too much energy - Hal Rottenberg via twhirl
Yes Paul Reynolds loves to block people. He wants to surround himself with people who think just like him. Never wants to hear opposing views. - Michael Tefft
@Veronica: I hate to make it worse for you but you're gonna have to wait until April or May. It will take a few months after the inaguration for the winners gloat to wear off. - ChiliMac via twhirl
Eric, don't play that card. There's a big difference between having an intelligent conversation and mud-slinging. That's what I'm sick of. - Veronica
I have to admit I wasted my day fantasizing about being on a desert island with Sarah..., but when the dream was over I wiki-d her and she is exactly the kind of leader our country needs. I would vote for her over Obama or McCain. She is a woman that takes her issues seriously and lives what she preaches. - Noah David Simon
Well McCain's publicity stunt worked on Noah, is anyone else buying into this? Cause we could really use another four more years of Bush. ugh. - Percival Carti3r
I think Jill Biden 10 years ago would've given Palin a run for her money. Now *this* is the kind of political discussion I can get into! - Paul Reynolds
"The conversation map is a living, breathing representation of Social Media and will evolve as services and conversation channels emerge, fuse, and dissipate." http://www.briansolis.com/2008... - Fu_
this will help me as I prepare for my upcoming electronic poster pres. on using microblogging tools for teaching & pro networking. NICE! - Kimberly J
"They call it the “holocaust section” and it can last upwards of 25 minutes. For almost 20 years — give or take a 13-year hiatus — it’s been anticipated and feared at every My Bloody Valentine show, including a string of reunion gigs for the recently resurrected band, to the excitement of deafened ears and nauseated stomachs." - Thomas Brox Røst via Bookmarklet
"Screencasting, or sharing your virtual desktop via video presentation, has exploded in popularity with the advent of podcasting, and gives you the ability to bring the classroom feel to a media presentation that can be delivered over the Internet. The medium of screencasting is readily available to everyone and with a few tools of the trade you can be ready to produce your own." - Neville Hobson via Bookmarklet
What a great article. This is absolute truth. - Meryn Stol
"No one can be a rock star without a great scene" -- and who really wants or needs a rock star anyway? If you want longevity and success hire craftsmen and leave the rock stars to their sex and drugs. - Brian Sullivan
Goes along with the toxic environment problems. Another thought about this: recognition of great work makes for an above average environment. Even if it's just a thank you. It's frustrating to bust your butt for something and then get a "meh" reaction. - JMS
37signls remains the coolest company in the Valley. - Duncan Riley
I agree with the premise, but it's not what I expected from the title. - steplow is Steve
There's truth in this. I've seen it and been there. But there's also some truth in the old adage 'a poor workman blames his tools' - Mo Kargas
Very interesting piece. I think overall from all I've seen in different organizations is that leadership sets the tone, sets expectations, and sets the environment. - Eric Berlin
Lost in all this is the fact that a lot of performance is context-related. The same person who's done really well in one company can do poorly at the next. The same programmer paid $50k a year in India might be worth $250k in the US. The American attribution of performance to the individual is an analomy that many cultures in other parts of the world do not subscribe to (the Japanese are much more interested in setting up systems that perform, for instance, rather than being focused on hiring superstars). - Piaw Na
I'm likin' the way these come back around a week later - Charlie Anzman
thanks charlie, missed the date entirely, must be another 20 by now.,.. - Gregory Lent
My fault actually, I was having problems with the FF comments widget on my blog, so I did a test -- which worked. But the entry didn't drop back down after I deleted the comment. - Shey
Felix http://friendfeed.com/nybble This is a kick-butt tool! Felix's FriendVenn analyzes your FriendFeed connections. For example, mine broke down into 90-116-369 (A) 90 people I follow, but who don't follow me (B) 116 mutual connections (C) 369 people connected to me, but who I don't follow - Mitchell Tsai
Thanks to Felix, I've added 48 people (the most since I first joined FF). Now 92-162-331. Tried to add the people I've had conversations with... My apologies to all the other people following me that I haven't had time to look at your blogs/FriendFeeds/LinkedIn/Facebook stuff...hopefully I'll have time in the next few months to catch up. Felix's new tool makes it SOOO much easier to add people. Just scan the 3rd column for names you recognize! Easy... - Mitchell Tsai
And I've just gone thru and evened that distribution out quite a bit - that will teach me to use an "import my twitter contacts" app blindly. Didn't even know who some of those people were... - Lucretia Pruitt
I love this tool. I just subscribed to like 50 people I never knew were subscribed to me, and found a few dozen people that unsubscribed from me. Very cool. - Mark Trapp
Glad it helps out! Let me know if you run into any problems, I think I fixed one that was hitting folks with more than 300 on either side. :) - felix
Felix: I double checked as I was checking out the list, and it picked up all (~500 total) my subscriptions and followers with 100% accuracy. Very nice work. - Mark Trapp
There's something in this statement that explains why people love to use tools like Twitter but are unwilling to pay for it and hate to use complex app's like SAP but are more than willing to pay for it. - Mike Doeff
I wonder if this has anything to do with Stockholm syndrome? - Robin Barooah
I think some of the complexity of enterprise apps like SAP comes from their decisions to address multiple niche use cases that people are willing to pay for. - Kris
It seems like there's a lot of effort involved in simplifying things, it involves a global perspective of what you're doing and ultimately you may have to move slower down a narrower path than if you simply added complexity, but perhaps the results are more stable and more valuable. - Robin Barooah
This is a good statement - vey good statement. DO the credit's got to you ? - Peter Dawson
Could be that complexity adds a non-financial transaction cost that makes the money a much smaller part of the TCO. Companies are willing to pay it because the benefit they get is presumably greater than complexity cost + financial cost. Simple companies like Google and Apple are profitably able to go after more marginal niches. - Jonathan Tang
when a firm calls themselves a Solution Provider, you can be sure that they are really a Problem Provider. They get you to exchange an acute problem, the need to manage information, for a chronic problem, complexity that must be outsourced. - Neil Kandalgaonkar
@Peter Dawson - I came up with that after spending a lot of time this afternoon thinking about a startup with whom I have been working. (Not Twitter, btw). Thanks to all the nice things people have said and even more thanks to folks who keep the conversation going. I love that about FF. - Sacca
@Sacca, thanks for that. I sent the Linky to my friend in UK. He runs a blog on simplicty which is ranked Top 100 Management and Leadership Blogs" by HR World :)- http://simplicityitk.blogspot.... - Peter Dawson
I assume the earbuds were attached to iSomething. - Jay Tannenbaum
I remember making that observation when I went to San Francisco for the first time in 2006. I remember telling my dad, "Even the homeless people have iPods!" - Aaron Brazell
By the way... Marco, this post needs to go into the FriendFeed Hall of Fame room (or is it FriedFeed... I never remember ;-) ) - Aaron Brazell
We in marketing call this "brand desensitization". - Jay Tannenbaum
the number of you getting my foot is growing. I might have to line you all up and just kick like a Rockette - Erin Kotecki Vest
@Chris that almost makes up for backsliding on FISA - Jason Carreira
@QueenofSpain Jason Carreira said one of those words here: http://friendfeed.com/e/af27dc... Now just wait until I strategically place his before you kick, okay? - Cyndy
Once again, Matthew fell asleep at the office after putting in a hard
day's work. Allen, can't you pay this kid a little OT and stop snaking
his snacks? - Louis Gray via mail2ff
![FriendVenn - tool for comparing FF subscriptions [Felix - 7/16/08]](http://friendfeed.s3.amazonaws.com/f5c1b3d962e0353c3bbb1e1306137dbef40e8e75 "FriendVenn - tool for comparing FF subscriptions [Felix - 7/16/08]")
