Work in Progress

2009 Marketing Quotes

View more documents from Valeria Maltoni.

In the last couple of days I've received quite a few short bursts of... not sure how to define them, unkindness? You read my thinking and you know it takes an extraordinary act to get me to take definite sides in a conversation. Instead, I prefer to look at issues from different angles and present them for thoughtful dialogue. Sure, I have opinions and experiences, but I rarely hold them as universals, recognizing that I see them from the inside out.

Things are very rarely black and white. They come with the full technicolor of life and humanness.

It seems (see? the moderate me) that the close proximity of the many thoughts in restricted spaces like Twitter, for example, is increasing not just the noise, but also the intolerance to each other's ideas. And rather than taking matters off line, where true discourse can take place, many resort to scathing one-liners. As if the constraints of the space were justification for the lack of regard in the statements.

Channel passion into compassion.

Hurling ideas as if they were pronouncements is not going to make them a reality. Believing in something is admirable and we all have the power to make that belief come true. We're a work in progress, all of us. I refuse to play the finite game.

Thank you for inspiring:

Marian Salzman, Mitch Joel, Craig Newmark, Kathy Sierra, Gavin Heaton, Sonia Simone, Hugh MacLeod, Mark Earls, Olivier Blanchard, Christina Kerley, Eve Ensler, Chris Guillebeau, Avinash Kaushik, Seth Godin, Francois Gossieaux, Clay Shirky, Amber Naslund, Adrian Ho, Taylor Davidson.

[Amazing Images by: Michele Catania, Klearchos Kapoutsis, Roby Ferrari]

Comments

[Deni Kasrel]

Valeria,

Apparently people will be who they are, for better or worse, online or off.

Perhaps it is the fact that there is no physical presence to deal with, no face to face, that enables certain people to feel it's fine to flame and/or otherwise express intolerance toward the ideas of others.

[Steve Seager]

Hi Valeria,

I agree. I think this a really important post. And shows a trend in social media that I really don't like.

I guess it is inevitable, but online etiquette is a self regulating thing. The only thing we can do is not respond with the same.

I have noticed a couple of trends recently. First that there is more and more of these 'rude', 'inflammatory' or attention grabbing remarks from commenters.

But even more worryingly (if that's a word) I have noticed seriously defensive/aggressive postures emerging from a few self proclaimed social media and public relations 'experts' who feel the need to respond to every negative comment, or view that opposes theirs.

I have encountered it personally. But it only adds fuel to the fire.

Just a nod to the way you have dealt with this: by pointing out those who inspire you. Love your approach.

Steve Seager

[Taylor Davidson]

Valeria: Glad I could help inspire you these last couple days. But want to point out the real inspiration is Umair Haque: in my comment I was just trying to translate a bit of his ideas. He deserves the credit for the inspiration, not me.

[paul isakson]

Although I'm way too quiet about it, I really appreciate and enjoy what you share here, Valeria. You inspire me. Thank you for that.

And, I know exactly what you're talking about. I too have faced some "unkindness" at times and it is never easy or fun.

[Valeria Maltoni]

@Steve - so don't. Don't add fuel to the fire. Don't repeat the description anywhere else. Stop it from spreading by learning to view things from other perspectives. Glad you liked my approach. Feel free to improve on it by being even nicer :)

@Taylor - you teased out those elements concisely, and you get the credit for inspiring me on top of those - meeting with me when you were in the area, taking amazing photographs, writing interesting content overall.

@Paul - ditto for your work. It's not - the only way I know how to stop that is by becoming better myself.