With the introduction of Google + in recent weeks, we have seen an annoying trend, again, online. As self-proclaimed “social media experts” and “online gurus” have given the new social networking tool a test drive, several have proclaimed that because of Google + “Facebook Is Dead,” “Twitter Is Dead” and even “Blogging Is Dead” (which I find particularly ridiculous as I’m blogging right now).
This is something we see every time new technology is introduced. Whether it’s just misinformed analysis or hyperbole designed to attract Web clicks, it has become cliched and is often flat-out wrong.
It reminds me from a speech I saw a so-called “Internet Expert” give about ten years ago. He said, because the Wall Street Journal offered an online edition “the print edition of the Wall Street Journal is now completely irrelevant.” Even in 2011, is that statement true? Of course not.
Of course, this is nothing new. In the 1950s, many predicted that television would mean the “death” of radio. We heard that again in the ’80s when The Buggles hit it big telling us that “Video Killed The Radio Star.” And a decade later, cable TV was supposed to “kill” broadcast TV.
So, here we are, amid many reports of media death that are like Mark Twain’s at one time, “greatly exaggerated.” Newspapers, radio and TV are still around – but significantly changed. Facebook, Twitter, blogging and even – gasp! – Google + are evolving as users integrate them into their lives in new ways.
How do we make this stop? Don’t click the links, as tempting as they may be, just to find out that some media platform hasn’t really died. They’re all constantly changing and that’s the bottom line to remember.