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Social Media – The Rise of The ‘Social’ Idiot?

This week's blog comes from ABoF founder Paul and his views on the highs and lows of social networking.

The modern world has given us an incredible amount of technological advancements. The iPod, laptops, Kindle, Blackberry, Facebook, Twitter and, er, Bebo.

Ok, Bebo is utter shit and seems to be populated with the dregs of society, but you get my drift.

Technology seems to have moved towards giving us all the ability to voice our views, stamp our personalities on the world, and show off the many facets of our personalities.

I mean how many times do you see someone whose profile seemingly indicates that they can do almost anything? “Part-time waiter, photographer, actor, musician, model, director, playwright, poet, gravedigger, racist, philanthropist, vet, arsehole…”

The world is a much smaller place, but that doesn’t make it a wonderful place.



Everyone wants to be someone, and many believe their own bullshit. Many believe that because they have 1000+ ‘followers’ that what they have to say matters. The self-serving nature of social media seems to cloud many people’s judgement on just how important they really are.

Unfortunately, social media is a pre-requisite for the industry within which we ply our trade. We have to reach people, magazines and websites to promote the music we are covering on behalf of the bands on our roster. This is a necessary evil.

On a personal level I go through phases of liking what Twitter has to offer. On other occasions, I can’t even look at it without getting angry.

I mean who wants to be inundated with bloody ‘Beliebers’ each and every day of the week? A hairless, talentless little ball-bag and his army of pre-pubescent zombies… I most certainly don’t!

Facebook I can’t really stand. It’s just a huge social nosey neighbour. It’s comprised of ex school friends wanting to snoop on what such and such is up to, or bitch about how much weight thingamajigger has put on. Jeez, get over it – school finished 14 years ago (Old Bastard).

Again, with Facebook, many seem to believe that having 6000 ‘friends’ equates to popularity. Like a sense of achievement comes with this delusion of “I have xxxx friends”. How many have you actually met? What a load of nonsense.

I honestly really couldn’t give a damn whether someone wants to be a ‘friend’ or a ‘follower’. I know who my friends are and I am more than happy with the limited number of people I actually know! ‘Billy nae mates’ really sits quite comfortably with me.

The great misconception about social media seems to be the way in which an individual comes across online, is the way they are in real life. Well, in my experience this mostly isn’t the case.

An individual who is seemingly a talkative, laugh-a-minute jokester online is often a mute in real life.

There is nothing more awkward when someone introduces themselves as their Twitter handle, and then stares at you blankly looking for you to provide them with something. “Hi, I’m @unmemorablechancer, I follow you on Twitter…” Cue tumbleweed…



Sometimes I think that if I respond by talking in @’s and #’s, then they might be able to converse. Perhaps if I tell them to #fuckoff they might get the message.

You see, social media is a fantastic platform for informative, news worthy articles that otherwise might not reach a large portion of society.

The old media have been banished by some very good investigative journalists, bloggers and tastemakers who have been given a voice through this platform.

This is a good thing in my opinion.



The Internet has also been polluted by sick individuals, deluded wannabes, spammers and the weirdos of society, who have suddenly found a platform to unleash their shit on the world.

Unfortunately, this appears to be the majority.

I am not the authority on what is good, bad or average. This is merely my opinion. However, until I meet someone face to face, until someone shows a warmth, a spark, humour or compassion in the real world, they will always be a stranger to me.

Now why don’t you come follow me? It’s @sirbeardypants… Or perhaps sarcasm doesn’t translate well into the written word.