Social Media Hype

I know I'm not the only one struggling to keep up with the "social media-scape" and since I spend literally 90% of my time in, on or around the Internet, I imagine that those who spend less time must have an even greater problem trying to grasp what the hell is going on with social media. (Nice to see that I'm not alone in this feeling of being overwhelmed by it all).

So instead of me rattling on about what I see or don't see, I've decided to let the "experts" that are really immersed in this whole social media-scape have the floor and let you draw your own conclusions. Hype or hope? Conversations or chatter?

There's not much more to add about the upside of social media as it has been touted as the answer for just about everything from consumer empowerment to collaboration to branding and even voter apathy. And lest you think I exaggerate, here are a few of actual "hits" you'll find in Google:

How Social Media Can Help People With Serious Illnesses
How Tweeting Can Cure Your Hunger
Can Social Media Help Cure Cancer?
Can Social Media Cure Depression?
Can Social Media Change Global Consciousness?
Can Social Media Save Healthcare Reform?
Social Networks the Cure for Magazines?
Can social media cure low student engagement?
Social Marketing May Just Cure E-mail Marketers
Is Social Media the Cure for Apathy?

After all of those heady "cures" here are a few conservative views of "social media" from some of the real experts on the subject along with some humorous views on the subject.

Here are a few articles by Aliza Sherman of Gigacom. Aliza is a Web pioneer and founder of the first woman-owned Internet company, Cybergrrl, Inc. and the first global women’s Internet organization, Webgrrls International. She is a strategic social media consultant with Conversify and author of seven books.

The Problem with Social Media
Rethinking the Value of Social Media
You Can Stop the Social Media Hype

The above articles are closly related to an article by Julien Smith entitled “Follower Hyperinflation.” Julien Smith is co-author of the book “Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence.”

And finally here are some more lighthearted views of social media that have that recognizable "ring of truth" to them:

You're NOT a social media expert, you idiot
10 Questions to Evaluate a Social Media 'Expert'
Don't Believe these 10 Social Media Myths
New Site Renders Social Media Experts Obsolete