Social Media Rockstar: Hollywood, Drugs & MLM: the Shadow Side of Startup Culture
Nick C
· 1 year ago
Wherever there's anything happening, the hangers-on move in, hoping to catch a piece of the action - as you've pointed out, that's how it works for movies, music, neighborhoods, investment schemes, as well as start-ups... It's probably human nature then, but you're right that it sucks.
And I suppose it's not at all ironic that you're making this type of criticism on a blog called 'social media rockstar' :-)
Brett Borders
· 1 year ago
@Nick C,
I agree that you get the hanger-oners in a lot of scenes, but I think that funded startups attract an inordinately high concentration. As I said, much more than with SEO, graphic designer, programmer circles... because of the promise of free / easy money.
p.s. Social Media Rockstar is all about examining and exploring fame and success on the internet (and the trappings of it)... that's why it exists ;)
Casey Quinlan
· 1 year ago
Outstanding set of analogies - and spot on, IMHO at least. The pioneers in any area of endeavor wind up outnumbered by the thundering herd of follow-alongs, who trail in the wake of the self-tagged rockstars. The challenge for the pioneers is to avoid being hijacked.
You, BTW, are not in the rockstar group I mention above - anyone with as strong a sense of irony as yours can't be lumped with that subset of lumpen bourgeoisie...!
Brett Borders
· 1 year ago
@Casey Quinlan,
Thanks so much for your comments!
I have a background in sociology so I am always fascinated by how tribes of people interact, structure themselves, etc.
That's a part of social media and startup culture that's really cool and futuristic... giving people amazing new opportunities and connections... and there's a part of it that seems conducive to inflate or magnify our worst, most flawed human attributes.
Trying to figure out how to embrace the former and minimize the latter. I see my own reflection in this blog post.. getting half baked ideas.. being drawn to style over substance... yearning for an easy retirement without a lifetime of grueling work... and thinking my opinions are better than someone else's.
Social media is a very humbling learning process for me every single day.
Bobby
· 1 year ago
I agree with your thoughts and ideas emphatically. Hopefully the "solid people and mind-blowing ideas backed by generous investors" that are "truly passionate about technology and want to help others", are the ones that will ultimately (hopefully) see the greatest ROI.Not the Douchebags...
Just as you mentioned Songbird or Twitter as useful web 2.0 tools, I look to Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy (two struggling M.I.T scholars addicted to good old fashioned Rock and Roll and Technology) for inspiration and hope. Guitar Hero is one of the most innovative ideas that I have seen in a long time. I guess that they're technology rock stars. Literally.
Guitar Hero rules! That was a hugely innovative digital technology experience.... Home Entertainment Technology Rockstars ;) , for sure! I am personally waiting for them to come out with the DJ version of the game... mixing beats in crowded clubs... I heard such a game was in the works.
Nick Stamoulis
· 1 year ago
Too bad everything comes down to being an ego war in any industry. The people that usually brag are just the sidekicks anyways.
Brett Borders
· 1 year ago
Nick Stamoulis,
I totally agree.
As I noticed at the startup weekend, listening to the 'big ego' table:
The less skills someone has, the louder they feel the need to 'toot' their own horn.
Ingrid Alongi
· 1 year ago
Wow, that was a very well-written post and I can definitely see a lot of that. But, I would argue that you get posers in any kind of crowd you're in. I think what makes it sad is that we expect this kind of stuff in the culture at large (recalling making social notes while watching "The Apprentice"), but not amongst the nerds who spent their lives growing up and being made fun. These nerds have now come to use the very same tools of the oppressor (If I can inject some of my grad school wisdom here).
I have to say one of the most icky moments of my career in tech was when I got an exclusive ticket to a party from a friend (not the party host) and I was with a group of 5. I hope I never have to deal with that again, but I also feel lucky that when things get to socialitey for me, I can retreat back to my sanctuary of writing code.
All in all, things tend to even out. If you want to try to live the fast life, you can and you may actually get somewhere, but for the most part, the folks that have a substance-less interior are not fooling anyone. But it doesn't mean they can't be useful for something--keeping folks distracting while the rest of us do the real work.
Brett Borders
· 1 year ago
@Ingrid,
I agree that there are poseurs in every crowd... but there's something about the promise of quick fame and easy money (funding, acquisition) that adds a dreamy, elitist, status-conscious twist to Startup Land...
It's just a very different world that what I experienced in my hippie days or when I lived in rural Oregon - a culture shock I'm adjusting to and trying to make sense of.
I definitely have some of these tendencies myself, or else I couldn't observe it in others - I want overnight fame and success too.. but part of me is pissed I (apparently am gonna) have to work really, really hard for it.
I've also noticed that programmers (like you) make less noise than the marketers and "business types" (like me).
angelia110
· 2 months ago
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· 1 month ago
I totally agree.
As I noticed at the startup weekend, listening to the 'big ego' table:
The less skills someone has, the louder they feel the need to 'toot' their own horn.
All Comments
And I suppose it's not at all ironic that you're making this type of criticism on a blog called 'social media rockstar' :-)
I agree that you get the hanger-oners in a lot of scenes, but I think that funded startups attract an inordinately high concentration. As I said, much more than with SEO, graphic designer, programmer circles... because of the promise of free / easy money.
p.s. Social Media Rockstar is all about examining and exploring fame and success on the internet (and the trappings of it)... that's why it exists ;)
You, BTW, are not in the rockstar group I mention above - anyone with as strong a sense of irony as yours can't be lumped with that subset of lumpen bourgeoisie...!
Thanks so much for your comments!
I have a background in sociology so I am always fascinated by how tribes of people interact, structure themselves, etc.
That's a part of social media and startup culture that's really cool and futuristic... giving people amazing new opportunities and connections... and there's a part of it that seems conducive to inflate or magnify our worst, most flawed human attributes.
Trying to figure out how to embrace the former and minimize the latter. I see my own reflection in this blog post.. getting half baked ideas.. being drawn to style over substance... yearning for an easy retirement without a lifetime of grueling work... and thinking my opinions are better than someone else's.
Social media is a very humbling learning process for me every single day.
Just as you mentioned Songbird or Twitter as useful web 2.0 tools, I look to Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy (two struggling M.I.T scholars addicted to good old fashioned Rock and Roll and Technology) for inspiration and hope. Guitar Hero is one of the most innovative ideas that I have seen in a long time. I guess that they're technology rock stars. Literally.
It's great to see humble people (yourself included) succeed.
Guitar Hero rules! That was a hugely innovative digital technology experience.... Home Entertainment Technology Rockstars ;) , for sure! I am personally waiting for them to come out with the DJ version of the game... mixing beats in crowded clubs... I heard such a game was in the works.
I totally agree.
As I noticed at the startup weekend, listening to the 'big ego' table:
The less skills someone has, the louder they feel the need to 'toot' their own horn.
I have to say one of the most icky moments of my career in tech was when I got an exclusive ticket to a party from a friend (not the party host) and I was with a group of 5. I hope I never have to deal with that again, but I also feel lucky that when things get to socialitey for me, I can retreat back to my sanctuary of writing code.
All in all, things tend to even out. If you want to try to live the fast life, you can and you may actually get somewhere, but for the most part, the folks that have a substance-less interior are not fooling anyone. But it doesn't mean they can't be useful for something--keeping folks distracting while the rest of us do the real work.
I agree that there are poseurs in every crowd... but there's something about the promise of quick fame and easy money (funding, acquisition) that adds a dreamy, elitist, status-conscious twist to Startup Land...
It's just a very different world that what I experienced in my hippie days or when I lived in rural Oregon - a culture shock I'm adjusting to and trying to make sense of.
I definitely have some of these tendencies myself, or else I couldn't observe it in others - I want overnight fame and success too.. but part of me is pissed I (apparently am gonna) have to work really, really hard for it.
I've also noticed that programmers (like you) make less noise than the marketers and "business types" (like me).
-->Are you lusting after a few (or even more) Uggs (UGG Australia) boots and if so, you're in good company, as girls and women of all ages, especially with the simple, slipper-like design of these sheepskin ugg boots, which are relatively easy and very comfortable to wear. And they appear to be affected. Some men are also jumping on the trend and luxury UGGs? Australia, the brand also offers a range of contemporary styles for them.
-->Could you mind giving everyone loves from ugg-boots? There are so many types of uggs, ugg bailey button,ugg classic tall, ugg classic short, ugg classic cardy. How to choose your favorite? Or do you really want to one uggs regardless its style? Despite their design is awkward and slipper-lile, Uggs is one of the few stations that are of general interest, have argued that cross generational lines.
-->Young people, students and young mothers and the Middle Ages, the original Black Ultra Tall UGG Boots, seem pulled the fleecy-lined boots that are manufactured in Australia, with the best materials. Are you sure that your feet warm in winter without socks, and cool in summer so that is more versatile too? If no, hurry up to take one ugg boots on goodugg uk sale ! That's why we see people wear them in schools, supermarkets, on the slopes and even in the most popular beaches in the United States and abroad. Many surfers also use uggs to keep their feet warm.
-->What do you really care about? Is its price or quality, or you just following the general trend? You know what are you thinking in your heart!
As I noticed at the startup weekend, listening to the 'big ego' table:
The less skills someone has, the louder they feel the need to 'toot' their own horn.