this clueless blog-fellow…

As must be fairly plain to most of the known universe, I’m pretty new at this.  As such, I tend to leap right in and do my thing but I also occasionally look around at what the `pros’ do.  Sometimes it’s good for instruction.  Sometimes it’s good for a laugh.  Sometimes it just confuses the hell out of me and proves that I just don’t get it.  This is one of those just don’t get it moments.

One of the best places to take lessons from is a long-term industry leader kinda guy.  And it comes as a total shock that we have at least one of them here at Lockergnome, in the person of the Head Lockergnomie, Chris Pirillo.  I’ve watched Chris since the days of Tech Tv, which was one of the few valuable things to come on cable.  I am an early subscriber of several Lockergnome newsletters.  If nothing else, Chris gets credit for introducing me to Peet’s Coffee (the only french roast for me).  My family and friends have never been the same.

While on Chris’ page, I came across his concept of social media.  I read a blog on it.  I even left a comment, staining the page.  He talked about all the ways he is reachable.  My thoughts were that I am on the web for my entertainment; I don’t need twelve instant messaging apps ringing like phones on speed while I’m trying to concentrate (or stop concentrating).

While on the page last night, I came across a video button.  For some reason, perhaps the beating of a hummingbird’s wings in China, I hit the button.  I was greeted immediately by Chris’ computing station, with good old Chris sitting there, tapping away.  Underneath was the constantly scrolling output of the chat room.

I watched for a bit, curious as to what was going on.  Chris talked a bit in reference to a question from the chat room.  The he turned back around and continued to work.  Or surf.  Or color-correct his monitors.  Or something.

His monitors, incidentally, are the size of the Mars Lander.  Fortunately they work a lot better, in spite of being powered by Microsoft.

I continued to watch and read the chat room output.  For the most part, nothing continued to happen.  Yet I continued to watch, as if perhaps something were to happen in such a manner that I might miss it if I blinked.  Unfortunately nothing  had stubbornly made up its mind to keep up its pattern of happening.

As I tell anyone who will listen (and others who won’t), humans are idiots.  To prove my point, I’ll tell you that when I go into some place with a lot of tv’s, my head automatically turns to watch them.  What’s really bad is when all the tv’s are showing sports, yet I still turn to look (I hate sports).  The crowning glory is that I’ll automatically turn back to the screen at some point, see sports, remind myself that I don’t like sports, then turn away.  And this will continue at five minute intervals.

Lest there be any misunderstanding, I want to state that the only misunderstanding is mine.   I have just, once again, failed to get it.  You’ll notice no Twizzering, Gizmos, Dunging, Yahooing, or IM-ing on my blog.  I don’t list my home phone number.  You can not watch me surf or work, no matter how twisted your mind might be to have the thought.  In fact, if you attempt to interrupt me while I’m doing something at the computer, you’ll likely get your head handed to you (ask my long-suffering wife).

Of course I don’t have a show, a network, or much more than a blog.  I am not a real content producer.  Chris is definitely doing something right.  He has built a virtual online presence (empire).  He throws this humongous GnomeFest every year, which draws people from all over the world.  I, on the other hand, blog for free under his brand.  Which one of us is the smart one?

And the point of this?

Errr….. none.

Chris will continue to be an exhibitionist; I will continue to rant uncontrollably (but hopefully in a witty fashion).  Chris will lead and blaze new paths; I will sit in my ergonomically correct chair and do the curmudgeon thing.

Hmmm…. perhaps it’s less that I don’t get it and more that we just have our roles….  not that my head won’t continue to turn and try to figure out what he’s doing.