Saturday, February 4, 2012

What is Micro Targeting and are they Targeting me?

Micro Targeting.  These are new and not popularized techniques that troll social media for all kinds of purposes, including Political..  Most likely you are not aware of the them.  Check these out:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10304310903003270

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microtargeting

Thursday, February 2, 2012

FACEBOOK AND POTENTIAL LAND MINES

Bernie wrote: "An interesting take: become part of a social networking site, but not want to hear what your friends really think and are passionate about. HUH? While I don't agree with every viewpoint espoused by from friends it's interesting to hear what's out there. I also like the links that are posted and often learn a lot from them. If I'm not interested in something, I can always skip over it. What's the problem with that?"


Some comments on the topic of Politics on Facebook. 


Hi Bernie, always great to hear from you.  This blog has enough space to treat the subject properly.  I have encouraged folks to create their own Political blogs and channel the discussion off Facebook.  It is too limiting and plain inappropriate as I will explain.  I am frequently challenged with sitting on my hands and not responding to some things I consider inflammatory or outlandishly incorrect.  


 My Facebook friends are for the most part, not true friends, but in fact casual acquaintances.  You are an exception in that we have had dinner many times at various functions.  In fact, my closest friends are not on ANY social media.  So here is the rub: there is a popular saying that you should never discuss religion or politics with family.  The list needs to be extended to include energy, environment,  animal rights, organic food, sex and reproductive issues.  THESE ARE LAND MINE ISSUES and a lot of folks are just waiting to go off.  The country is more polarized than ever and less informed and educated, particularly on scientific issues.


I have extensive experience running an invitation only political blog among a group of about 35 folks that I know well.  I started it after 9/11 when I saw the need to better communicate.  I made some generalizations then and got my eyes gouged out by about a half dozen folks "(friends)" that disagreed with some of my positions.  Fortunately, my eyes grew back.  I learned a lot from that experience, the hard way.  Over time I was able to regain them in my social circle.


Two years ago, I went to a funeral where a friend's parent died.  The first thing he said to me at the funeral " I HATE {YOUR POLITICAL BLOG}!  So yes, there can be a lot of risk and problems with discussing the above issues in public.


I have strong opinions on most things but they are not for public dissemination.  I think TOO MUCH INFORMATION is an excuse for people to hate you when you don't mean it.    From my public writing, it should be hard for people to tell if I am really Chris Matthews, Joe Lieberman or Sean Hannity.