Lesley Primeau calls Twitter a waste of time.

June 24, 2009 8:09 pm 17 comments

Organizations and individuals alike are considering, debating, even mocking social media, as was evident on 630CHED‘s Lesley Primeau show tonight.

Why would anyone put their brand at risk when the common perception by an outsider like Primeau is that the social web is a complete waste of time?  I wish I could say that the majority of people out there understand social media, with the clear exception of Edmonton talk show host Lesley Primeau.  However, if I was to say that I’d be in serious error, (not the first time).  The fact remains that Primeau and those like her are still the majority, although many continue to open their minds to the possibilities.

At the heart of many social media discussions I’ve had with business people is the issue of “self-preservation.”  With that in mind, an interesting example of this took place tonight.  Some of the local Edmonton Twitter community, myself included rallied around and defended our passion for the use of said micro-blogging platform and that of other social media.  Some of this rallying was in direct support of Edmonton’s social media community spokespeople @mastermaq and @britl and the fact that they were put on the defensive by Primeau.  ”Companies don’t pay people to forward their social agenda, you can’t tell me they’re actually working,” said Primeau during a flurry of generally negative opinions regarding the use of social media and Twitter.

It’s pretty clear from my tweets that I didn’t agree with everything Primeau said on the show. In one instance, I also mentioned that I would have preferred that Mack and Brittney respect and reward those who kindly responded to their pleas for online reaction by mentioning said people by Twitter handle.  Kind of a little thing but I just thought that would have been a cool touch.  That’s the great thing about Canada, everyone can have an opinion and social media enables me to express it.  Just a reminder to everyone, including myself – one should always remember that “we are what we share.”

Sharing information and thoughts within the social web can lead to simple cooperation, it can also lead to the organization of individuals into collectives, groups, tribes, communities.  Tonight Primeau united some of the Edmonton Twitter community into a micro-tribe as a direct result of her lack of social media understanding.  This effect can be a positive one and it can also be negative. People online can organize into “mobs” and attack.  I wouldn’t say that happened tonight, however, that certainly happened recently with MLA Doug Elniski.

In fact, some might say this blog post and my opinions expressed on Twitter this evening could be categorized as overtly negative.  Even my friend @gadgetgreg on one occasion calmly asked me to “be nice!” (Sorry Greg, Primeau just got me all riled up.)

My study of the social web over the last five years has taught me several things and one is that there’s almost always someone who’s going to be offended for some reason at some time about some thing.  Some appreciate @mastermaq for his claims that he doesn’t care about other’s opinions regarding what he says online, which tonight oddly enough opened the door to a Primeau comment regarding narcism that was a follow-up to a caller comment regarding the use of Twitter.  When asked by Primeau if he regretted anything he’s said online, he responded. “about the only thing would be spelling mistakes.”

I’ve always said you have to be brave to enter the social web and @mastermaq and @britl are certainly that.  Not only for representing the Edmonton social media community as spokespeople and experts to Primeau’s audience but also for defending the position of all of us who have immersed ourselves into various online communities and eco-systems for business or pleasure.  An activity that Primeau clearly sees little to no value in.

  • http://www.thisiswilson.com/ @thisiswilson

    I think it’s because the only thing 630CHED is good for is broadcasting the Eskimos.

  • http://www.thisiswilson.com @thisiswilson

    I think it’s because the only thing 630CHED is good for is broadcasting the Eskimos.

  • http://blog.mastermaq.ca/ Mack D. Male

    Thanks for this Walter, and for listening and tweeting during the show! Was very cool to read all the tweets as we sat across from Primeau.

  • http://blog.mastermaq.ca Mack D. Male

    Thanks for this Walter, and for listening and tweeting during the show! Was very cool to read all the tweets as we sat across from Primeau.

  • Debra Ward

    Thanks for this Walter.

    I too was listening to Lesley Primeau and the negative/mocking comments by both the hostess and some callers had me riled up as well.

    To suggest that those engaged in/on the social web were somehow neglecting living their lives or were self-absorbed was outrageous.

    As someone who is (perhaps overly) involved in community, all kinds of communities. I was offended at the suggestion that I never take a walk or spend time with family. I have two active Golden Retrievers who ensure that their walks are a priority in this household. I have been happily married for near on 22 years — and he is pretty demanding for my time too!

    I volunteer at least 20+ hours a week on various passions from working a crisis line to being an “In-school” mentor to my professional association involvement. And I know that I am not unique in the Social Web community.

    Indeed, the Social Web is a community. Something Ms. Primeau did not get despite @Britl or @mastermaq’s many heartfelt attempts to convey the message.

    Yep, people once mocked the telephone as something that would never catch on and the television and the Internet… The Social Web is no different. Guess what people it too is here to stay and evolve. Step aside as those of us who “get it” get on with being change agents and attend to important issues.

    Yours sincerely,

    @DebraWard

  • Debra Ward

    Thanks for this Walter.

    I too was listening to Lesley Primeau and the negative/mocking comments by both the hostess and some callers had me riled up as well.

    To suggest that those engaged in/on the social web were somehow neglecting living their lives or were self-absorbed was outrageous.

    As someone who is (perhaps overly) involved in community, all kinds of communities. I was offended at the suggestion that I never take a walk or spend time with family. I have two active Golden Retrievers who ensure that their walks are a priority in this household. I have been happily married for near on 22 years — and he is pretty demanding for my time too!

    I volunteer at least 20+ hours a week on various passions from working a crisis line to being an “In-school” mentor to my professional association involvement. And I know that I am not unique in the Social Web community.

    Indeed, the Social Web is a community. Something Ms. Primeau did not get despite @Britl or @mastermaq’s many heartfelt attempts to convey the message.

    Yep, people once mocked the telephone as something that would never catch on and the television and the Internet… The Social Web is no different. Guess what people it too is here to stay and evolve. Step aside as those of us who “get it” get on with being change agents and attend to important issues.

    Yours sincerely,

    @DebraWard

  • Anonymous

    It would be interesting to compare the attitudes of #yeg (Edmonton) radio talk show host Leslie Primeau with the media in #yyj (Victoria).

    Dana Hutchings @danahutchings CHEK TV Island 30 host is on Twitter, as are several newspaper people @dhelm @amandaash @stephcoombs and radio stations @KoolMornings @theZonedotfm @CFAXonline, not to mention the Times Colonist newspaper. I wonder if they see it as a waste of time?

    Dana, in fact, did an Island 30 segment on Twitter in late May where I was (very briefly) featured. My neighbours definitely noticed and commented to me.

    I wonder if the average person “on the street” thinks that social media is a waste of time?

  • Janis La Couvée

    It would be interesting to compare the attitudes of #yeg (Edmonton) radio talk show host Leslie Primeau with the media in #yyj (Victoria).

    Dana Hutchings @danahutchings CHEK TV Island 30 host is on Twitter, as are several newspaper people @dhelm @amandaash @stephcoombs and radio stations @KoolMornings @theZonedotfm @CFAXonline, not to mention the Times Colonist newspaper. I wonder if they see it as a waste of time?

    Dana, in fact, did an Island 30 segment on Twitter in late May where I was (very briefly) featured. My neighbours definitely noticed and commented to me.

    I wonder if the average person “on the street” thinks that social media is a waste of time?

  • http://www.fusedlogic.com/ Walter Schwabe

    Janis, thank-you for stopping by. I agree that would be an interesting discussion and comparison. Everyone is busy and has a schedule. Lesley Primeau is an extreme case for the Edmonton area. Most of our media online and on Twitter specifically are pretty cool, not all respond as much as they could but I just had a great conversation with @LyndaSteele today, news anchor for @Globaledmonton

  • http://www.fusedlogic.com/ Walter Schwabe

    Janis, thank-you for stopping by. I agree that would be an interesting discussion and comparison. Everyone is busy and has a schedule. Lesley Primeau is an extreme case for the Edmonton area. Most of our media online and on Twitter specifically are pretty cool, not all respond as much as they could but I just had a great conversation with @LyndaSteele today, news anchor for @Globaledmonton

  • Tanya

    Although you understand social media, you do not seem to understand talk radio. By having Brit and Mac on the show, Primeau was already accepting the fact that social media has its place in our society. If a talk show host goes on the air and totally, 100%, agrees with what the guests are saying, then there is no discussion…. no furthering of the conversation. She needs to ask the questions that the non-social media users are asking in order to be the voice of those that haven’t used the medium. Although she may have seemed negative, she has given YOUR COMMUNITY a voice and you should respect and appreciate her for that.

    The point of a debate is to have two sides of the issue. I would suggest you to speak with both Mac and Brit and see if they felt they were in any way mistreated or disrespected. The question were blunt, straight forward and not sugar coated however, these are the questions that strike conversation and interest in an issue. These are the comments that non-users would make. The fact that Brit and Mac handled themselves the way they did, only makes a greater positive statement for your community.

    630 CHED is an active member of your community through Dan Tencer, Bob Layton, Eileen Bell and Bryan Hall. 630 CHED is constantly promoting on-line social media and the fact that you would belittle them puts you in the same place as you are considering Primeau.

    I am shocked that you would think this live radio opportunity “mock social media”. She was merely presenting the other side of the issue and allowing your community members to have a voice.

  • Tanya

    Although you understand social media, you do not seem to understand talk radio. By having Brit and Mac on the show, Primeau was already accepting the fact that social media has its place in our society. If a talk show host goes on the air and totally, 100%, agrees with what the guests are saying, then there is no discussion…. no furthering of the conversation. She needs to ask the questions that the non-social media users are asking in order to be the voice of those that haven’t used the medium. Although she may have seemed negative, she has given YOUR COMMUNITY a voice and you should respect and appreciate her for that.

    The point of a debate is to have two sides of the issue. I would suggest you to speak with both Mac and Brit and see if they felt they were in any way mistreated or disrespected. The question were blunt, straight forward and not sugar coated however, these are the questions that strike conversation and interest in an issue. These are the comments that non-users would make. The fact that Brit and Mac handled themselves the way they did, only makes a greater positive statement for your community.

    630 CHED is an active member of your community through Dan Tencer, Bob Layton, Eileen Bell and Bryan Hall. 630 CHED is constantly promoting on-line social media and the fact that you would belittle them puts you in the same place as you are considering Primeau.

    I am shocked that you would think this live radio opportunity “mock social media”. She was merely presenting the other side of the issue and allowing your community members to have a voice.

  • http://www.fusedlogic.com/ Walter Schwabe

    Tanya, thank-you for commenting, your opinion is appreciated.

    I wasn’t aware Primeau’s show was specifically intended to be adversarial or a debate on the validity of social media.

    You are right to suggest that this is about respect. I have little for Primeau and her show in general. She is typically unprepared and generally uninformed. If the point is to argue, then show the topic and in this case, the community and culture, some respect by being prepared. If the point is to talk and educate people listening via a non-adversarial approach, then show respect and be prepared. There are other radio hosts on 630CHED that do this well.

    The fact that Primeau didn’t know the difference between a “blackberry and blueberry” is just one example.

    Also, don’t confuse simply having an account on Twitter and the “promotion” of social media as something that should garner a lot of respect. This type of 2-dimensional thinking is exactly the problem Primeau’s show exacerbated.

    Finally, I haven’t belitted any of the other names you’ve mentioned, Primeau has done that all by herself and I’m not “shocked” at all.

  • http://www.fusedlogic.com/ Walter Schwabe

    Tanya, thank-you for commenting, your opinion is appreciated.

    I wasn’t aware Primeau’s show was specifically intended to be adversarial or a debate on the validity of social media.

    You are right to suggest that this is about respect. I have little for Primeau and her show in general. She is typically unprepared and generally uninformed. If the point is to argue, then show the topic and in this case, the community and culture, some respect by being prepared. If the point is to talk and educate people listening via a non-adversarial approach, then show respect and be prepared. There are other radio hosts on 630CHED that do this well.

    The fact that Primeau didn’t know the difference between a “blackberry and blueberry” is just one example.

    Also, don’t confuse simply having an account on Twitter and the “promotion” of social media as something that should garner a lot of respect. This type of 2-dimensional thinking is exactly the problem Primeau’s show exacerbated.

    Finally, I haven’t belitted any of the other names you’ve mentioned, Primeau has done that all by herself and I’m not “shocked” at all.

  • k8

    nicely said tanya.

  • k8

    nicely said tanya.

  • Debra5lion

    What exactly is the problem here? Unless Twitter is 100% loved by EVERYONE then you consider it as a personal affront? I can’t stand Twitter and don’t care much for all this social media, but that hardly means I’m someone to be shunned.