Post from: Phil Butler Unplugged

5 Things To Ensure Your Brain Is Never Full

It has been some time since I posted to my own blog. I guess this is a sad consequence of having fingers in too many pies at once. But today, it occurred to me that the only place one can really get thoughts out, and perhaps unload their brain of accumulated info, is to spit them out at the one place there is free license to do so, one’s own web log. Welcome back, to all those that check in for this post, and my apologies for not being more diligent.

The topic today is obviously an indication of my willingness to change. Doing lists has never been my forte, nor have I been inclined to “water down” content or condense it to the point it is virtually worthless. This being said, it is fairly obvious to me now that most of your brains are reaching the “full” mark, given all that has been thrown at you. Web 2.0, as we so fondly called it, has been effectively over run by a sort of viral epidemic that can only be described as “terminal laziness”. So, here are some easy ways in which any user of the Web can make damned sure there brains never get full, and as an added benefit, ensure that a minimal effort is exerted.

Easy Buttons For Web Engagement

1. Use Twitter As A Home - By dumping every other bookmark, profile, web site, blog or any other instance of self or input on the Web, the truly lazy surfer can easily engage nearly the whole world via this 21st Century chat room. The best thing about Twitter is that “flaming” and other negative aspects associated with the old chat rooms, is held to a minimum (of course this could be because marketers are not generally insulting - it is bad for business). In just 140 characters, any user can easily spread the knowledge of the ages (well maybe knowledge is too strong a term), engage thousands of other lazy people, unload all their unwanted thoughts, and effectively pretend to be doing something worthwhile. AND, if a user gets really lucky, the magical Internet gods may send millions to buy their product or invade their web site.
2. Play Mafia Wars On Facebook - When you get right down to it, the Internet has become one vast online gaming experience any way. Most users began with the game of expression via blogs, or even a narcissistic ploy to paste their faces on as many websites and social venues as possible. Mafia Wars is a great way to utilize only the frontal occipital lobe of your brain while theoretically being social with a mob you create yourself. The down site of course, is when no one wants to be a member of your gang. Regardless of ones own popularity however, with enough money for credits, a few hundred hours, and the right weapons, anyone can both numb their brains to the point of nirvana or at the very least take out all their Web frustration on would be opponents.
3. Spend 100 Hours Straight On Digg - Without a doubt, spending countless hours on Digg scrutinizing what is called new is one of the least intellectual pursuits on the Web. Actually finding something worthy of thinking about, if anyone actually wants that any more, is all but impossible. Thinking in this sense must be defined as formulating any idea what-so-ever of anything that will benefit the individual or society as a whole. One added benefit of Digg is that there is an element of adolescent humor involved in reading endless lists of abbreviated human endeavor. Also, having and engaging friends on Digg is easy as well. They pay little attention to you, as you pay little attention to them. One day we may all be friends on Digg, and the world will cease to have problems because everyone will be to lazy to be evil.
4. Watch YouTube Period - Of all the endeavors that actually add value to our lives, YouTube (or even my favorite Veoh) provide endless hours of mind numbing entertainment. Watching TV, by comparison, is actually a boring experience once one has delved into the dark recesses of YouTube. I can categorically say that it is virtually impossible for a human being’s brain to be filled up by watching videos. YouTube is the 21st Century equivalent of watching MTV back in the early 80’s. I remember well being in the military and watching all the 18 year old sailors glued to MTV like mindless gnomes, oblivious to any outside stimuli.
5. Stumble The Web With A Click Or A Thousand - StumbleUpon was one of the most interesting social media sites developed in the Web 2.0 boom. Sharing cool websites and videos with friends can be loads of fun and requires nothing with regard to brain power. It goes without saying however, that actually visiting and reading some of the stumbles sent to a user may involve some thinking. This is particularly true if the “thumbed” suggestion lead somewhere besides Digg, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook or other simplistic entities. The would be “full brain” sufferer should also beware that people writing articles about in depth and meaningful stuff actually stumble too. So, I recommend thumbing down any sites that have more than 140 characters of text.

An Empty Brain Is A Healthy Brain

There are probably thousands more Web activities a person could engage in that would suffice to successfully numb the brain to the point of a vegetated state. However, the aforementioned list should stand as a primer for those of you who just cannot handle any more thinking. Having a full brain can be a painful and frustrating experience, and it is not recommended that anyone actually engage in deep thought for periods exceeding 45 minutes these days. What with cell phones to answer, text messages to send, soul sucking bosses, hungry kids and crooked politicians all bent on sapping brain power, if is a wonder anyone has the presence of mind to even read this far in the post.

Web visionary Jimmy Wales after only 3 hours on Twitter, his mind clean as a whistle

Energy Conservation

For the clinically lazy, there are three things that should never be undertaken on the Web; visiting Wikipedia more than once a week, reading any more than 3 sentences of a blog post from anyone, and least of all taking the time to actually comment or talk about an issue of any kind. I hope these tips have been helpful to all of you who have suffered from an overfilled brain. As for me, I am off to YouTube to unload about 3 years of Web 2.0 knowledge and several thousand conversations about what is good for the world. Remember this saying from Confucius:

“It is only the wisest and the stupidest that cannot change.”

In finally acquiescing, and writing a post of lists here, I have discovered that I am neither wise nor stupid. Perhaps unloading my brain at YouTube and on Twitter will reveal even more substantial truths?

Post from: Phil Butler Unplugged

Social Media Experiment to Raise Money for Linkhorne Middle School

This entry was published at eWritings too, in an effort to help Cheryl Smith with her Friday the 13^th social media experiment.

Cheryl Smith runs this Friday the 13^th a social media experiment to help the Linkhorne Middle School(LMS) Library. All books, music, video and café purchases (excluding gift card and online purchases) made at any Barnes & Noble in the US on Friday, March 13, 2009 using the LMS Code #423129 will help raise money for the LMS Library.

Why you should help? First of all because it is a good cause and it doesn’t cost you anything but some time. Note that, although I am not living in the US, I still think that taking time to spread the word about a good cause it’s worthwhile. There are no borders on the Web – content published here is available for readers in any country. My US readers – about 20% according to the stats – are not the only one who can help, they are however the only ones who can make purchases at the local Barnes & Noble stores in the US. Too bad that online and gift card purchases don’t count: imagine how much more we could do for the LMS Library if these were allowed. However, if you don’t live in the US, you can still help:

1. Spread the word.
2. Leave a comment at The Friday the 13th Social Media Experiment
3. Buy the stuff at local US Barnes & Noble stores and use the code #423129 when you make a purchase.

The experiment is simple: use all your social media connections and all possible Internet tools to spread the word (take care: no spamming): email your friends; tell your coworkers; send a Facebook message to your high school friends; forward the pictures or create your own. Share this blog post The Friday the 13th Social Media Experiment or Digg it. Write your own on Multiply. Make a video on 12 seconds tv or post it on You Tube. Tweet the message to your followers on Twitter. And ask everyone to do the same. Use your social media channels, whatever they are and help spread the word.

Cheryl even make it worth your while to participate in this experiment: leave a comment on her blog post (The Friday the 13th Social Media Experiment) with the link to your tweet, You Tube video, Facebook status - whatever you do, and she’ll kick in a chance for you to win a $25 American Express gift card. Must be 13 or older to participate. Use of inappropriate or foul language will automatically disqualify entry. Winner will be randomly selected from all participants and notified at or around 9 a.m. on Friday, March 13th, EDT. Winner may opt to donate gift card to the school of his/her choice.

Post from: Phil Butler Unplugged

Pamil Visions Slogan Contest

Winner receives $ 100 and other cool prizes.

In February Pamil Visions will launch an all new corporate site. So, to celebrate, we decided to have a contest for the best original Pamil Visions slogan, and award some cool stuff to the winner for Valentine’s Day. By entering this contest, our friends, the PR, SEO, development and social communities can help us be better than ever before.

The winning slogan will symbolize both our personable services and expertise in the PR and consulting field. Of course we could come up with one, but as the saying goes; “Two heads are better than one”, so imagine what 200 heads might come up with. So, without further eloquence, perhaps we can engage some of the very best to contribute to our image and win some cool prizes too.

Slogan for Pamil Visions

Contestants in the Pamil Visons slogan contest should:

• publish an entry on their site describing the contest,
• insert the suggested slogan,
• express how and why their version is a “sticky” idea and relevant
• link to the Pamil Visions site www.pamil-visions.com to be eligible to win.

All entries should be submitted prior to February 13th as the winner will be announced on Valentine’s Day. Simple enough right?

The winning slogan entry will be selected by voting amongst the Pamil Visions staff and the winner will receive the following prizes:

• A hard bound copy of Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
• A Pamil Visions handmade dreamcatcher
• $100 on either PayPal account or Amazon Gift Certificate (winner’s choice)
• One hour free PR consultation for branding, brand value, SEO or other topical assistance
• A special Valentines’ surprise

We sincerely hope that all our friends and contemporaries will contribute a little effort both for the prizes mentioned, and our sincere appreciation (plus the challenge of course). As we all know, together great people can do wonderful things. As a helpful hint, we want a slogan that conveys the imagery of the dream catcher, the vision of our partners and the personable way in which we conduct business.

Finally, we want to thank each and every one of our readers, clients and friends for all the support they have given us over the past year. Truly great people enable us to think of ourselves as great, and we would not be here without all our constituents.

Note: Only one submission per publisher, company or individual. Contest submission ends at midnight EST on February 12th. Winner will be asked for information on where to send prizes and method of cash payments (eg. PayPal or Amazon).

All decisions of Pamil Visions selection committee are final, and all submissions must be completely original. Any entry found to be plagiaristic will be disqualified and the next runner up will be awarded all prizes. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Have fun, good luck and thanks again for all our caring.

Post from: Phil Butler Unplugged

And Twitter Said; “Let There Be SPAM, and Plenty of It”

Is it better to be critical of Web 2.0, or to follow mindlessly the trend to “lifestream ourselves until time runs out”? How many hours do you spend either “working” Twitter or FF or mindlessly broadcasting your coffee breaks to whomever? The bottom line for many in evaluating anything is knowing what is in it for them. As for Twitter and the like, what do you think the basis for its popularity is? What is in Twitter for you?

Is The “End All”?

Well sure it is, but why are things popular? Because YOU go there? The answer is obvious in that the “wisdom of the crowd” is always in effect. However, even though the chicken came after the egg in this case, let’s take a look at a random sampling of Twitter users from the front page to see if we can capture what their Twitter experience is about.

Random Current Users Test

Graywolf - Michael Gray is on any number (actually every) social network I know of. He is an SEO, marketing and Web development expert. Michael responded to LisaBarone – “I just go with her legal name she loves that”. Taken out of context, God knows what that is about, but it is apparent that Michael has made extensive use of the Twitter connection for his various SEO activities. Just as an aside (and interestingly) LisaBarone is none other than Lisa Barone – Head Writer and Community Builder at We Build Pages, a well known Internet Marketing Service.

kgurski – Kelsie is the editor of Voice at sj-r.com, The State Journal Register of Springfield, Illinois. Evidently Kelsie is a grad student, her last entry was Twitterclassic material; “Today is going to be great! I turn in my master’s project at noon, then drinks after work. Just this pesky work thing to deal with.” Recent past Twits indicate using Twitter for work via tiny Url.

Jsmoot12 – Joshua is Director of marketing at Wave Direct, a direct marketing firm. Wow, director of marketing for marketing, marketing via Twitter. Imagine that? Nice Website by the way! Marketing, marketing and marketing and still more ideas and stories of, you guessed it, marketing.

Breezeway – Ken is another marketing/entrepreneur using twitter to lifestream, not exactly. From Ken’s Twitter profile; Coach, health, wealth, skin care, nutrition, mangosteen, home based business, green, sustainability, 7% of every Xango bottle donated to Operation Kids!!! I applaud Ken for donating proceeds to kids BTW. Just for that Ken, here is a prominent link to the product site. I should also note that a single 750ml flask of Xango is only 28.57 Euro for the German market where I live. Use of tiny url to Xango site dominant.

jedjedi – jedjedi is evidently the least marketing oriented of these random Twitter profiles as he/she appears to be only marketing a website under construction. Still, using Twitter to further one’s aspirations as a methodology and primary reason for being “there” holds true for many. This Twitter profile page is full of nothing but news briefs, strange.

Selling Ourselves

This random selection of Twitter users from the “everyone” tab of my home page is certainly not conclusive proof that Twitter is nothing more than a marketing convention on wheels. However, I think anyone can do a similar experiment and I actually defy anyone to produce 5 consecutive Twitter profiles that actually have NO marketing involved.

Just so the reader knows, I actually grabbed 10 random profiles, but the remainder were so uninteresting as to not be worth relating. Of the other 5, 3 were essentially profiles used to send traffic to personal blogs, 1 was some hoochie from Palo Alto with God knows what intent, and the last was Svetlana Gladkova, my former managing editor at Profy sending her 1800 or so followers links to Profy articles.

Who’s Zoomin Who?

I am not alone in my contentiousness about Twitter. Aside my reasons to hate the little crapping bird there are at least 15 million reasons to hate it. Like so many social networks we use, it is inhabited and most effectively used by bloggers, marketers and obviously people with something to sell. In a broad sense, selling ourselves to other people is what we do here on Earth. The point is, if we are so busy selling ourselves, just how much actual creative or constructive value are we adding to our lives and to those around us? The argument could be that getting traffic to one’s ventures is business, but for the millions who go to Twitter for other reasons, does the water look muddy?

Okay, so what does all this profundity mean? Well, in a nutshell it means we have simply traded one form of SPAM for another. The way things are working out with all the life streaming madness out there, you may as well have published your email address and asked all the Spammers to simply condense their messages to two lines. You just got spammed by Barack Obama, and never viewed it that way.

The main reason I never like Twitter in the first place was because there is no depth to it. Even a mediocre SPAM newsletter has some depth or creativity to it, but with Twitter and similar developments, we are simply learning how to advertise in a more brief way. Is this what you the user wanted? I expect not, but somehow we have all been roped into yet another abbreviation of life itself. It seems ironic that anyone who took the time to read this lengthy article is not likely to be a person who uses Twitter freely.

Reading, obsorbing and actually learning can only be abbreviated to much without losing the value. Please let me know how you feel about lifestreaming and other issues. I am interested to know just how far gone our sense of communicative reality is.

Editor’s Note: A version of this article was first published at ewriting.pamil-visions.com, our corporate blog.