Comments on: Tools are Only as Useful as Their Users

By: A More Perfect Market: July 2008

A More Perfect Market: July 2008 — Thu, 14 May 2009 04:05:36 +0000

[...] reasonably concise (though something that does, I admit, diverge considerably from the original Qui Diaz thought about teaching the need): It’s important that I don’t fall too deeply in love with the site I’m [...]

By: The Power Of Omission | How To Split An Atom

The Power Of Omission | How To Split An Atom — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:16:44 +0000

[...] emphasis) occurred on Wednesday, June 25th at approximately 10:30 am. I was reading a column on The Buzz Bin (one of my personal favorite new media marketing blogs) penned by Qui Diaz that was about the [...]

By: Qui Diaz

Qui Diaz — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:03:57 +0000

Greg – Can’t thank you enough for your additional input. I updated my post with the donation links you provided and a teaser on some of the welcome insight you shared. This is part of a much bigger conversation, no? Like Peter prophecies, we’re just at the tip of the iceberg.

By: links for 2008-06-25 by Kevin Bondelli’s Youth Vote Blog

links for 2008-06-25 by Kevin Bondelli’s Youth Vote Blog — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:35:39 +0000

[...] Tools are Only as Useful as Their Users » The Buzz Bin [...]

By: Greg Hollingsworth

Greg Hollingsworth — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:22:27 +0000

I’m sorry, that line should have read I apologize if my “un-savvy” farmers point came off as a bit harsh, it was NOT intended to be”.

I know that Qui was not attempting to imply that I (or anyone else in Iowa for that matter) is un-savvy. I was trying to speak more to the general impression that many people have about more rural, agricultural states like Iowa.
I probably should have caught that before I submit the comment, but I didn’t, my sincerest apologies.

By: Geoff Livingston

Geoff Livingston — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:07:53 +0000

Greg: Qui was not calling you unsavvy, nor was she being tongue in cheek in her comments. She was contrite and apologizing for any misconceptions. Nor does anyone from the company see Iowans as unsavvy. Thanks for your views.

By: Greg Hollingsworth

Greg Hollingsworth — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:22:13 +0000

I apologize if my “un-savvy” farmers point came off as a bit harsh, it was intended to be, being from Iowa (and having never once worked on a farm, not once in my life) makes me a bit reactionary to assumption about my state.

Everyone in the flood affected communities most certainly appreciates any help we receive from outside of our communities, but in general, these communities will not ask for it openly, it’s just how we’re built.

If you would like to help you can certainly donate to the Grant Wood Area Red Cross (http://www.grantwood-redcross.org/index.html?gwatitle.htm&1) or to the United Way of East Central Iowa (http://www.uweci.org/).

If you’re interested in my unique point of view on this situation, you can read my most recent post at How To Split An Atom (http://howtosplitanatom.com/columnists/flood-of-information/)

By: Lindy Dreyer

Lindy Dreyer — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:22:27 +0000

Greg,
I love your perspective. “We turned off our computers and got dirty helping to clean up.” That rules. (I share Qui’s sentiment…”un-savvy farmers” is not what I was going for, either. I’m sorry if that’s what I implied.)

The thing is, there are a lot of us who are too far away to roll up our sleeves and get dirty, but able to help in other ways. And finding the right tools to harness that power is key to helping people unite to help each other in the face of adversity.

By: Qui Diaz

Qui Diaz — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:36:01 +0000

Peter – thanks for plugging the ReadWriteWeb piece – I had not seen it. You’re right – things are just starting to get interesting. Anyone who has not yet checked out Peter’s blog should – he’s been adding high-caliber insights for some time: http://blog.socialactions.com/.

Greg, my sincerest appreciation for the point of view you shared. I mentioned in my earlier comment that more word of mouth happens off-line than online, and your testimony is the reason why. We get so wrapped up in providing the platforms! The tools! Well what about meeting people in the trenches where they are? Or in the case of your community, stand by for orders!

No, absolutely I did not mean to infer that anyone is un-savvy, and I apologize if it came across that way. I’m excited about new ways for people to help themselves and help each other, bridging the digital divide that exists across a lot of issues, geography being one of those issues sometimes (but not every time).

By: Qui Diaz

Qui Diaz — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:28:34 +0000

Hi Lindy, I think the issue is that we’re trying to teach the tools rather than teach the need. If we focus on educating people about the issue, and why it’s worth their time/talent/treasure….and then back up what we’re saying by giving them the resources needed to spread the word, raise money, or any number of other actions…then they will determine the best tools/channels.

But no you’re not crazcy. Teaching the average, non-Web 2.0 person ABOUT the tools available is tricky. While the Red Cross could certainly reach a lot of folks, teaching the dark arts of social media could lead to severe mission creep.

A little disconcerting, because 80% of word of mouth happens off-line, and I think we all forget that sometimes!