Comments on: Andrew Norcross from RestlessLikeMe.com - Less theory more practicality

By: Ryan Stephens

Ryan Stephens — Thu, 21 May 2009 03:08:15 +0000

1.) Andrew is an AWESOME guy who I’m really glad I’ve had the chance to connect with because I think we’re two very different people, yet have mutual respect for each others’ thoughts and opinions.

2.) He’s been my tech/coding/programming savior guy. I borrowed him from Holly Hoffman. [Side note: Can you interview her? Only if she promises to say crazy shit that only she and PT would say aloud?]

3.) I stay away from Andrew with politics. He’d slay me, but I do listen from afar to some of he and Milena’s discussions.

4.) Some really good, insightful comments here. I like Tyler’s point that there’s a lot of practical posts (at least by design) that aren’t very useful either. I try to keep in mind that someone people write for themselves, and publicize it so others can share in the learning process with them - and that we’re all in different stages of where we’re at. We also choose what we want to read.

5.) This space we live in is VERY fast-paced, and the paradigm is shifting and I think you do need to be taking action, but you definitely have to mix in the reading required to stay abreast amongst all the noise currently being emitted.

By: Yu-kai Chou

Yu-kai Chou — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:15:34 +0000

Great interview!

I totally agree that a lot of people could have great ideas and theories on a certain subject, but until they have been in the field for long enough or have actually accomplished things in it, they are not considered an expert!

By: p0ps

p0ps — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:58:03 +0000

It seems to me, here, in the beginning of the internet-based digital social media, we are working out many kinks. Re-Tweets, Re-Posting, link blogs. etc. are the ways information gets passed thru this media. It may be that we can now transition to a place where we can trust that people who need certain information will find it, without us passing it along.

It may be helpful to have an open wiki version of all the how-to lists, a WikiTutorial service. Those who need to know, can get up-to-date, considered instruction trusting that it is continually improved by users experience.

By: Tiffany Monhollon

Tiffany Monhollon — Wed, 13 May 2009 18:00:53 +0000

I am a learner by nature. I love to learn from what’s around me, from my experiences. I also connect things - what I’m learning in grad school with experinces from work or the thoughts of those I respect online. I think this impacts my writing. The difference is, and the questions that Andrew is getting at seems to be, do I always talk about those things in a way that reveals I am speaking from experience? I don’t know. It would be interesting to look.

The problem also, with credibility and speaking with authority you’ve earned, is that right now, so much of what we know we are also learning (whether you are 20 or 50 - I mean everyone). It’s a paradigm-shifting time, not just in media, but in the world in general.

And to write with authority on something that’s evolving requires a heavy dose of confidence, transparency, and adaptability. Are those things teachable or inherent? I’m not sure, but I do know that they are practicable.

Thanks for the interview! Lots of good things to think about.

By: Norcross

Norcross — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:34:39 +0000

That would be something I’d love to see. Action is a great benchmark for most theories.

By: Restless Like Me » My Video Interview With Jun Loayza

Restless Like Me » My Video Interview With Jun Loayza — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:22:11 +0000

[...] can check out the original here. posted under blogging, social [...]

By: JunLoayza

JunLoayza — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:01:49 +0000

Tyler, social media has really allowed anyone to become an “expert” in something. Even if you have no practical experience in it, you can teach anything through words and theory. Though some blogs are helpful, I do see that most are just regurgitating information to build traffic or to build their personal brand. It loses a sense of authenticity.

With that said, I think I will make a top ten list of practical blogs who have actually put their advice into action.

By: Tyler Hayes

Tyler Hayes — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:35:57 +0000

Man am I glad you post those summaries! Andrew is right on the money with his comments about Seth Godin (who is a great guy, has a lot of genius in him!), saying that it’d be nice to see less regurgitation. That said, I think there is an ample, if not equal, amount of “practicality” posts online that just end up being “59 thing you’re not doing in social media that you should be!” laundry lists. These quickly become just as meaningless, as those who really need them still don’t understand the theory behind them, and those that do understand the theory typically don’t need more than 2 or 3 suggestions from that list. Big waste of time on everybody’s part.

It all comes down to action, which most people don’t do enough of. We sit around and read articles, watch videos, etc. but, it seems to me anyway, most of us tend to just sit back & nod in agreement, save the bookmark, and then move on to the next RT from Twitter.