I don't get this social media thing

Yesterday, I attended a great presentation on social media sponsored by the Business Wire. I went to network with some colleagues and to hear an update from Mike Kelly at USAA about his use of the social tool. However, one of my colleagues from the local PRSA chapter stood up to plug her chapter's social media workshop with the comment: "I don't know much about it. I find myself as an alien."

This woman was in my age demographic group, but I wonder why she was so negative about social media. Like her, I remember the good old days of manual typewriters and telephones. Today, I do have a blog, a Twitter account and a LinkedIn profile because I have embraced it with the help of younger people who get it.

And of course, there's Alan Weinkrantz, the dean of social media for San Antonio. His blog and his presentations are readily available for people to use as a reference point for understanding social media. He was another panel member at Thursday's program. He posted his slides online for others to use and view.

With all these assets, there's no reason to feel frustrated by the change in communication processes. The world is changing. It's time to embrace it.