Social Media Stupor Syndrome
Update: Even Ike Pigott is claiming to be overwhelmed with "net debris," Brad Grier has also agreed to step away from the computer, Donna Pappacosta is going to work in her garden, Sallie Goetsch of the Podcast Asylum is already working on a cure and Lee Hopkins, also of the Podcast Asylum, included the symptom in his latest report.
Wondering where I've been? Well, I took a little bit of a summer hiatus to enjoy the rare 80-degree weather in Chicago. So the blog and the podcast have been sitting quietly by.
... but that's not entirely honest. I've been ill. I've had a terrible case of Social Media Stupor Syndrome, with underlying Microblogging Paralysis. And it's not just me--it's an epidemic. Lee Hopkins spoke about this in his latest vidcast, and Mitch Joel discussed this very serious issue on Six Pixels of Separation. I was in quarantine. Away from my iPod's podcast menu. My Newsgator feedreader sat neglected as over 800 feeds piled up unread. Flickr sat un-updated. Even Twitter wasn't allowed inside the no-media bubble due to danger of contamination. FIR's 250th episode came and went, and I missed it, as 100 unread (non-client) emails from its creators wasted away in my inbox.
It was a tough case, and I battled it for weeks. The first-round treatments didn't work--unplugging only called in armies of podcaster's guilt. But in time, the disease ran its course. The best treatments, I've discovered, are weekends spent camping barefoot and Sunday brunches with friends. Calling colleagues to meet in real life, sending promotional materials via snail-mail with handwritten notes and talking to unplugged friends also helped reduce the symptoms. Jumping in the pool several times a week and watching back episodes of things written by Joss Whedon were also helpful.
I took 200 mg of Perspective a day, and now, I'm happy to say, I'm doing much better.
So please, don't let this epidemic hit you and those you love. Social Media Stupor Syndrome with underlying Microblogging Paralysis is a serious condition that is devastating the blogosphere and podosphere. Don't let this happen to you or to someone you love. Wash your hands before using your keyboard. And go put a stamp on something you wrote by hand.
Are there any long term side effects?
I had a bad case of laptop heat rash from having my laptop on my lap for extended hours, but this sounds very serious. What are some of the warning signs?
Did you have to see a SMSSUMP specialist? My heavens! Will you every be the same?
Heidi please don't leave us like that again. We were very worried about you.
Posted by:Mike Bellina | June 29, 2007 at 03:02 PM
Warning signs:
* shaking, fear and trembling before clicking to Google Reader, My Yahoo! or NewsGator
* a full iPod, but constant occasions to "forget" headphones to "catch up" on podcast listening
* adding people you don't know to your Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook or MySpace accounts
* more than four email addresses, just to keep up with the comments from your blogs and podcasts
Posted by:Heidi Miller | June 29, 2007 at 03:32 PM
Heidi, good to have you back. Hope you've made a full reovery. :-)
So, may I ask, when you find yourself speed-reading Carl Honore's "In Praise of Slow" does that mean SMSSUMP has set in?
Time to schedule a Sunday brunch I think. Have a great weekend!
Posted by:Sam Grant | June 29, 2007 at 06:50 PM
My dearest Heidi, I have blogged about your terrible condition -- it may well lead to an offer of a full research candidacy at the Podcast Asylum.
Yours in your sickness and your health,
Lee
http://leehopkins.net/2007/06/30/social-media-stupor-syndrome/
Posted by:Lee Hopkins | June 30, 2007 at 07:41 AM
Lee: with round-the-clock research at the Asylum, I believe we can overcome this syndrome within 10 years!
Posted by:Heidi Miller | June 30, 2007 at 11:46 AM
The swimming pool's loss is our gain! You see it is different in the UK - when it has rained for 10,790 days consecutively (or feels that way!) you need something to do..
Aagh how I wish for the sun, wish for face to face conversation at a barbecue...can you e-mail some over?
Posted by:Anna Farmery | June 30, 2007 at 04:50 PM
The things some people will do to get themselves mentioned on the Podcast Asylum website! Do you think it was Twitter-follower syndrome that brought this on?
Posted by:Sallie Goetsch (rhymes with | July 03, 2007 at 05:20 PM
I didn't feel ill, I felt bloated. Like that feeling right before the time of the month, only it lasted for a few agonizing weeks and I was constantly irrited. I went on a social media diet, trimming the fat by consuming less. I'm happy to report that I'm feeling rather trim.
See http://podonomics.com/going-on-a-social-media-diet/
Posted by:Leesa Barnes | July 03, 2007 at 10:03 PM
Leesa--
Great! I'm slimming down as well. Setting boundaries, making limits, feeling good!
Posted by:Heidi Miller | July 06, 2007 at 06:43 PM
It just goes to show that whether your networking is face-to-face or online there is a limit. You have to prioritize and focus your efforts.
PS love your phrase "200mg of Perspective."
Posted by:Dorothea Stuart | July 14, 2007 at 09:13 AM