Category Archives: Social Media

Capping the Forest City Until October 2014 Makes No Sense

Leave a reply

By Jay Menard

Sometimes a tree branch starts growing in a direction that you don’t want. There are a number of ways to control this growth, ranging from pruning to capping, but in the end all you’re doing is preventing the tree’s natural growth.

It makes sense if the tree is infringing on your home or at risk of causing damage, but to cap a tree simply because you don’t like the way it looks — or, worse, the colour of its foliage — is ludicrous.

Yet that’s exactly what some are suggesting we should do in London, Ontario. Essentially, there are those who are content to cap the Forest City’s growth until Oct. 27, 2014. Continue reading →

Boston Coverage — Not the Death of Media, but the End of ‘First’ Era

2 Replies

By Jason Menard

Like so many times before, the death of mainstream media has been greatly exaggerated. But if anything has died as a result of the questionable coverage of the Boston terrorist bombings and subsequent manhunt, hopefully it’s the prevalence of jumping the gun when reporting potential smoking guns.

And that’s something for which both traditional and social media are guilty. Continue reading →

No Comment? What’s the Point?

Leave a reply

By Jason Menard

To paraphrase the sage Uncle Ben, with great blogging comes great responsibility — and, for me, that responsibility is first and foremost to allow reader comments.

However, I believe there is a caveat: allowing reader comments does not equal allowing ALL reader comments.

I believe that if you’re going to publish a blog in a public forum — sharing your thoughts, opinions, and ideas with the world — then you have a moral obligation to allow readers to reply. To not do so, in my opinion, betrays a touch of arrogance combined with a heaping helping of missed opportunity. Continue reading →

For the One Person Who Misses the Point

Leave a reply

By Jason Menard

It’s true that you’re never going to please everyone. But the day that you stop trying — or, even worse — stop listening — is the day that go from working to make things better to only making things better for yourself.

I’m not one of those who genuflects before the altar of Seth Godin, but I appreciate his insight and respect his experience, abilities, and intelligence. But as with anyone who engenders such a devoted following, the potential negative impact of his posts can have far-reaching effects.

Especially amongst those who use his gravitas as justifications for a misinterpreted message. Continue reading →

Volun-told? Volun-tell? I’d Rather Volunteer

1 Reply

By Jason Menard,

If you look at my social profiles or talk to me one-on-one, you might think that I’m not overly involved in my community. Some might suggest I’m not appropriately engaged.

I beg to differ. It’s just that I’d rather volun-teer than volun-tell. Continue reading →