Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago · 3 min. reading time · ~100 ·

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Calling all Misfits, Non-Conformists, and Outliers. It's Hip to Bee Square

Calling all Misfits, Non-Conformists, and Outliers. It's Hip to Bee Square

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I’ve had some conversations lately about coolness.

Not as in temperature, but rather in terms of ‘hip’-ness.

The conversation has stimulated my ‘opinionator’ and I felt I would share my thoughts…

Now, I’ve always thought of myself as cool, but genetics and my personality have not been my friend in that department.

As a kid, I was too short, too plump (believe it or not), and too interested in space, cameras, rocks, books, and gadgets to be part of the ‘in’ crowd.

Couple that with my father’s career… Getting a ride to school in a police cruiser wasn’t exactly a ticket to coolness.

And yet I aspired to be part of the cool crowd.

I dusted off an old guitar leaning in the corner and joined a few other misfits to form a garage band.

We weren’t that good, but we certainly had passion. And volume.

But even with that, the measure of ‘cool’ at that time didn’t include us.

Rather than hip, we were labelled ‘square’. (meaning ‘definitely NOT cool’)

Fast forward a few years.

Enter the world of Social Media.

I’m an adult now. Heck, I’m even a grandpa.

But the old battle is back.

Instead of the ‘cool’ crowd, we now have “Influencers”, “Unfluencers”, “VIPs” and yes, even “Ambassadors”.

I’m not here to denigrate any of the above recognitions, but for me, they are stirring up the same old issues I faced when I was a pimply-faced, pudgy kid.

You are either in, or you are not.

I know that’s not true.

But it feels like it.

And if I let my feelings inform my decisions, I would likely drop out of contributing to Social Media.

It’s a good thing they don’t.

Along the way, I’ve learned a few things about myself.

One of them is that I am a raging introvert.

I don’t have a lot of friends and social relationships, but those I do are deep.

By nature, I don’t walk in a room and become best friends with everyone before I leave. (I have friends who are marvelously skilled at this).

Why would I think that I would need to do the same on Social Media?

beBee is branding itself as an ‘Affinity’ network.

That’s one of the things that wooed me over here.

I’ve developed some deep friendships already, even though we likely disagree on more than a few points (a good example is the recent series of posts on personal faith)

I can find people from all over the world with whom I can engage.

But it won’t be everybody.

Something has to change.

(Here comes the opinion part.)

We (as a species) love community (or at least we love our concept of community).

When beBee started, it attracted large numbers of writers, bloggers, artists, business people to an exciting new platform that offered (and delivered) engagement.

But most of us showed up with baggage.

We humans are like that.

We fall back to the familiar.

We love the concept of ‘new’, but it doesn’t take too long before the ‘new’ thing looks and acts like the ‘old’ thing we just left.

That’s much easier than building something completely different.

If you are a history geek, you will see that much innovation comes from the minds of the misfits, the non-conformists, and the outsider – not the ‘in’ crowd.

So… I’m issuing a challenge to those misfits, non-conformists, and outliers that I hereby dub the Bee-Squares.

We have an opportunity (and a fast closing window) for the Bee-Squares to be creative and find a way to make beBee become the ‘Affinity’ network and not end up looking like a LinkedIn or Facebook wanna-bee.

It’s about differentiating this platform (which Javier and Juan should appreciate because differentiation increases value).

It’s about showing that Affinity can work and not fall back to the familiar Social Media method of gathering as many friends and contacts as possible.

So…

I can’t be friends with all of you. Actually, I won’t be friends with all of you.

I will fervently engage with those in the hives that reflect my interests, and hide those hives and users with I have little or no affinity.

In doing so, beBee has become a very personal platform for me…

… and a great use of the time I devote to Social Media.

I will never belong to any group of ‘Influencers’ based on my coolness, but I will not let my value be determined by the number of people who like me.

My value is based on my contributions to the personal and professional relationship I develop on whatever platform I am using.

Let’s not screw it up on beBee.

It is ‘hip’ to Bee-Square.

__________________________________________________________________

Image:  Kevin the Minion - used via Creative Commons License


About the Author:

ab01c498.jpgI’m the Chief Information Officer for Appleby College, in Oakville, Ontario Canada, where my team is transforming the delivery of education through innovative application of technology.

I'm convinced that IT leadership needs to dramatically change how IT is delivered rather than being relegated to a costly overhead department.

In addition to transforming IT in my role as CIO, I look for every opportunity to talk about this... writing, speaking and now blogging on BeBee (www.bebee.com/@kevin-pashuk) , LinkedIn, ITWorld Canada, or at TurningTechInvisible.com.

I also shoot things... with my camera. Check out my photostream atwww.flickr.com/photos/kwpashuk 


#Social Media #Bee #Non - Conformists #Hip #Affinity
Comments

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

6 years ago #102

#194
Kevin Pashuk

Kevin Pashuk

6 years ago #101

#193
Thank you Javier \ud83d\udc1d beBee. You have just confirmed one of the biggest differentiators of beBee... the leadership is online, and responsive. I look forward to the upcoming improvements!

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

6 years ago #100

#192
Kevin Pashuk

Kevin Pashuk

6 years ago #99

#187
Thanks for your comment Ian. I would agree that the level of engagement has changed, and there seems to be an increased amount of the same material you can find on other platforms. There is still some gems, but you have to have the time to sift. I know Javier \ud83d\udc1d beBee addressed this in a recent post of his suggesting the type of posts one should, and shouldn't contribute to beBee.

Kevin Pashuk

6 years ago #98

#186
Gee... I didn't detect a challenge there Phil... does that mean we are no longer friends?

Kevin Pashuk

6 years ago #97

#185
Thank you Ali!

Kevin Pashuk

6 years ago #96

#184
Thanks Franci!#188 Thanks Fatima! Thank you both for sharing.

🐝 Fatima G. Williams

6 years ago #95

I love this buzz. A much needed resurrection. I will never belong to any group of ‘Influencers’ based on my coolness, but I will not let my value be determined by the number of people who like me. My value is based on my contributions to the personal and professional relationship I develop on whatever platform I am using. Let’s not screw it up on beBee. It is ‘hip’ to Bee-Square.

Ian Weinberg

6 years ago #94

Indeed Kevin Pashuk even truer now, one year later. The few with whom I have established rapport doesn't warrant a broad interaction on this platform. I've also said pretty much all that I wish to say at this point. Bar a few pieces of relevance, there's not much in the way of innovation, inspiration and unique value. And so I move on ...

Phil Friedman

6 years ago #93

#182
Precisely, for friends do not let friends walk around spouting half-assed ideas -- at least no, not without challenging them. Cheers!

Ali Anani

6 years ago #92

A mind-entertaining buzz

Kevin Pashuk

6 years ago #91

#182
They also come in useful on moving day, and to deal with an overstocked beer fridge.

Robert Cormack

6 years ago #90

Well, hell, what are friends for if not to make us reflect and cringe?

Kevin Pashuk

6 years ago #89

Pulling this from the archives during a busy week...

Kevin Pashuk

6 years ago #88

#178
thanks for the great comments Aaron... And thanks for the share.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #87

#176
Thanks Fatima.

🐝 Fatima G. Williams

7 years ago #86

It is ‘hip’ to Bee-Square. Great buzz Kevin Pashuk beBee has become a very personal platform for me as well. So cheers to that :)

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #85

Well, Kevin, if the loyalty you garner counts, then you are a superstar. Numbers not withstanding. Sharing this again

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #84

Resurrecting this post on coolness. John White, MBA raised a call for our favourite posts, and this is one of mine.

don kerr

7 years ago #83

#170
If I ever get back you can count on it.

don kerr

7 years ago #82

Gerald Hecht Pork pie hat. Louisiana. Getting a distinct Clete Purcell vibe here. (Totally meaningless to anyone who has never read James Lee Burke...if there is a such a creature!)

don kerr

7 years ago #81

#166
Gerald Hecht Whoa there my Cajun friend - that there was a story carried by CNN now proven purveyors of fake news.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #80

#164
You are absolutely right Devesh. None of us fit a single label. We all have many facets (like a diamond).

Devesh 🐝 Bhatt

7 years ago #79

Nobody is fit for a single label or 2-3 labels. That's why society struggles and thats why Bebee may not because everybody has got atleast a 100 distinct words for themselves. Fitting in everything like potatoes :)

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #78

#159
Don... I need to get you reading Susan Caine's book on Introverts. We typically hate small talk, but get us onto things we've researched and know about... then you can shut us up. Now excuse me while I go look up the word 'raconteur' and see if I should be insulted.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #77

#156
Thanks Javier! beBee provides a great platform for people to be their genuine selves... and likely find someone else who is just as weird.

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

7 years ago #76

I love this kind of reviving !!! beBee works ! :-)

don kerr

7 years ago #75

Kevin Pashuk You are so NOT a raging introvert. It's a mask you wear to attempt to hide your very many talents as a raconteur, photographer, conversationalist, and latent extrovert. Time you came out of the closet my friend.

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

7 years ago #74

Kevin Pashuk images are very important to pay attention ! :-)

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

7 years ago #73

Kevin Pashuk ! I love this " My value is based on my contributions to the personal and professional relationship I develop on whatever platform I am using."

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #72

This has been my most read post... I wonder if it's because there's a Minion picture?

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #71

Blowing the dust off this post...

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #70

#148
I was just speculatin' my friend... Happy USA Turkey Day!

Randy Keho

7 years ago #69

#145
Don't drag me into this shitstorm Kevin Pashuk I'm trying to enjoy an American holiday.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #68

#146
Your comments are always welcome David. For those who just joined... this post contains a comment thread that while interesting, veered somewhat away from the theme of the post. The authors themselves decided to remove the comments.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #67

#144
I think that might have been Randy Keho calling in the NSA on the Canadians, and those nationals who spent time in Canada. I think there might be a trust issue there...

Jim Murray

7 years ago #66

What's with all the deleted comments. Is somebody friends with Trump here?

Jim Murray

7 years ago #65

Bee-Squares...only you could come up with something that creatively nerdy, my friend. Good on you.

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #64

Kevin, with all the BS self-ascribed titles and skills not only on beBee and social media in general, this post is particularly germane to the discussion. Thaks. And cheers!

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #63

beBee recognizes people passionate about who they are, not people posing to be something they aren't. Resurrecting one of my favourite posts from a couple months ago.

Sara Jacobovici

7 years ago #62

In this fast paced, fast moving communications world, I feel like I need to apologize Kevin Pashuk for not reading your Buzz when it first came out. But I am glad that you shared to my Hive and in this way I get to read it in "Sara time". Loved what you wrote and appreciate the thoughts and feelings behind the message. You are right when you write about community and after the "new" wears out, the "old" familiar returns. "We humans are like that." But, at the same time, what we're doing individually and collectively here on beBee is we're adapting and making choices. Because, "we humans are like that," too. Thanks Kevin and thanks for appropriately posting on Triads!

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #61

#134
I believe that the post author, Kevin Pashuk, has the ability to do that, and I am fine with him deleting all of my and your comments in this thread pertaining to any discussion between us.

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #60

#130
Jesse, I never said, nor implied that you did any of that. And I stopped several comments ago any ongoing conversation with you about these matters, as it became clear to me that I did not understand your original remarks about publishing. And if it makes you any more comfortable, I don't give a damn, Charlotte. Cheers!

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #59

#120
Well, Jesse, then I misunderstood you prior remark(s). Clear you been down the path already. Including a tryst with Canada Council subsidized publishing, which during my 15 years in Canada never once ended up in anyone making money on the publishing of a book, except for the publisher who collected the revenue subsidy from Canada Council and the gross profit from library sales. The reason was pretty clear. Unless a publisher puts skin in the game with an advance to the author, or has to go out ahead for editing and publishing costs, the author can be guaranteed exactly Zero marketing and promotion of his or her book. I now understand why you've walked out onto the golf course holding an umbrella, and are waiting for lightning to strike. Or as a chubby friend of mine in a similar location once said, waiting for "lightening" to strike. Best wishes and luck for finding what you're looking for. And cheers!

don kerr

7 years ago #58

#118
Can't agree more.

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #57

#103
Okay, so as a former print magazine editor, I know a bit more than I admit to about print publishing... although perhaps not as much as you, who has been through the proverbial mill on this. But, a couple of observations: 1) a proof reader is not the same as a copy editor. If your book script is full of typos then you need a proof reader -- not as hard to come by as a good copy editor. 2) Jeffrey Strickland touted me on to Lulu, which prints and binds using digital techniques in small run quantities at reasonable prices. You can set your own retail price and keep the gross profit, after deduction of the print run cost. 3) It never makes economic sense to pay someone else (a vanity publisher) to publish a book. Much more cost-effective to self-publish and pay for printing and binding services. 4) I personally would then market by using social media for printing reviews and testimonials from people active on the various platforms. And I would springboard from there to seek attention in the mainstream press -- not easy, but possible with persistence, and if your work is truly good. I am not sure this is an appropriate discussion for Kevin's thread, but it might be of interest not only to you and me, but to other authors as well. I suggest moving it to the beBee Hive "Writers & Publishers". Cheers!

Graham🐝 Edwards

7 years ago #56

We are who we are Kevin Pashuk... Myers-Brigs says I'm and INTP and I'm ok with it. Thanks for the Huey Lewis reminder and I've included the link for your listening enjoyment https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB5YkmjalDg nice buzz btw.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #55

#106
Thanks Irene. I currently use the following illustration to describe belonging in a community (I volunteer with a local community compassion agency). "Belonging to a community is when your car breaks down in the middle of the night (and assume you don't have auto service), you have someone who will get out of bed, and come and help you." To me, that is the type of relationship that defines community.

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #54

#100
Jessie, I know the Frey story, but have not read his book. I am not generally a fan of the drug and alcohol redemption genre, so it probably would not have mattered to me that he faked the autobiographical representations. In fact, I might actually prefer fiction to fact in such cases. Your stuff, however, is different. What I see in your writing is a gritty realism and a refusal to make excuses or rationalize all the bullshit choices. And to my mind, the genre is all about building three-dimensional characterizations. Marketable is in the eye of the beholder, and there is no denying that agents have traditional book publishing by the shorts. Not my place, but you might think about finding a decent editor and self-publishing. Then do your own PR and marketing, and you might, just might wrangle some reviews and get the second print run picked up by a real publisher. And if not, then at least you'll have a short stack of copies to peddle at coffee houses (wine bars?), which you can autograph and sell, while you try to pick up young college women. Just a thought because...I don't really know shit about it. Cheers!

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #53

@ Kevin Pashuk -- FYI http://tinyurl.com/jz46y9z

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #52

#94
I agree entirely with you about WriterBeat. But you know, there are a lot of literary blogs, not to mention magazines that still publish short stories. And some of your posts would, to my mind, qualify. As well as find a good reception. Again, just sayin'.

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #51

#93
Jesse, I did not mean to say or imply that you deleted my comment. Only that you eventually deleted the post involved, so I couldn't go back to see what it was all about. I would say that you and I agree about LinkedIn. You might have had more difficulty breaking through the "noise" on LI because it is 40 times greater than the noise on beBee. What I am cautioning you about -- and I do this because I genuinely like and respect your writing -- is not to bee like the accountant from Ames who returns to Iowa from a gambling weekend, during which he dropped a grand at the craps tables, impressed with himself because he bedded a Vegas call girl. Just sayin'. Cheers!

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

7 years ago #50

Well, Kevin Pashuk, from one "raging introvert" to another -- I salute you! Actually, over the years I have become sort of an adapted introvert; I can put on the extravert attitude for a while, especially if it's important (like in a networking meeting). But I never ever close a party / meeting down, I run out of energy by being with too many folks for too long (as opposed to those who gain energy from that), and I live a pretty solitary life with my two dogs. Yes, like you, I do have a few friends, and those friendships sustain me. They're deep. And those friends are both introverts and extravets; a couple of them are even the "cool" ones you and I never were . . . or ever will be. They seem to think I'm just fine as is, and I really appreciate that and them! So, it's nice to see your post, recognize how much fits me, and be glad we're friends, at least here on beBee and over on LI.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #49

#90
Thanks Pascal Derrien's BEEt-nik poetry bash... I wonder what that would sound like on an acoustic guitar?

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #48

The Misfits Dye Dye My darling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyd8dY8rRtA

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #47

#86
Thanks for the prose Franci. You and Ken should team up to do a BEEt-niks Poetrey bash.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #46

#84
Especially when the minion's name is Kevin.

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #45

#83
Jesse, if I remember correctly, the first contact you and I had on beBee was when I made a comment critical of something you posted. To tell the truth, I can't even remember either your post (which I think you deleted) or my comment. But you proved to wear adult underwear, and so survived, and did not shrivel up and assume the (fetal) position. And I have come to like and, more importantly, respect much of your writing. However, I do not understand when you decry the "... relentless positivity of Linkedin, the ambition, and hunger for success, the aphorisms and platitudes ..." Not that I disagree. Indeed, I have a thousand time times said openly that LI is the Land of Insipidipity, and in large part the literary equivalent of Muzak. No, what I am asking is when was the last time on beBee that you met with critical comment? All I have seen, when I have seen on beBee are positive comments and repeated kudos for your writing. Isn't that the real difference that you judge that you "fit in" here, but not on LinkedIn? For as you yourself point out, " [your] view count here is ten times what ...[you] got on Linkedin on ... [your] best day." And before the Honey Bee Mafia gets after me for being so mean to you, consider that I may be questioning you here precisely because I genuinely like your writing, and care enough not to let you get away with being anything but brutally honest in the way you usually are, and in the way I have come to appreciate and respect.

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #44

#80
Kevin, in the marine industry, a paradox is what is needed when you have a matched set of yachts.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #43

#79
I can also play the song for an hour straight... just like Arlo, although I have to read the lyrics. I do confess. I was on the tail end of the Hippie movement. When I could grow hair, I did. Non-conformity is a deep part of my DNA. I guess it's a good thing I can have affinity with all the other non-conformists. (but is that a paradox?)

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #42

#78
Woody's boy. You unregenerate hippie reject. Bet you have old photos of Woodstock on your den walls. :-)

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #41

#76
Thanks David. Your comments reminded me of the lyrics to a song from long ago. Let's see if anyone recognizes it. (It's about one of the major non-conformists of my day. "Proceeded on down the hall gettin more injections, inspections, detections, neglections and all kinds of stuff that they was doin' to me at the thing there, and I was there for two hours, three hours, four hours, I was there for a long time going through all kinds of mean nasty ugly things and I was just having a tough time there, and they was inspecting, injecting every single part of me, and they was leaving no part untouched." Any guesses?

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #40

#56
Thanks John for the feedback. As I mentioned above, Affinity networking vs Influencer Marketing can be a real differentiator for beBee. It is different from the other networks, and so my opinion that as human beings who tend to drift back to our comfort zones, we all have a role to play in making Affinity networking work well. Thanks for sharing this. This is getting a lot of activity even compared to some of my previous posts.

Milos Djukic

7 years ago #39

#71
Gerald Hecht, please never ever forget that I'm the ugliest fractal troll :) This type does not dream of becoming a "Field Marshal". I am a "Bad Lieutenant". that is enough.

Milos Djukic

7 years ago #38

#69
Gerald Hecht, With this slogan I'm just trying to reshape the infinity of my personal ignorance, nothing more. After all fractals are forever, whether we are? I am not sure. "If I have so many things to think, to do, and to mediate upon, and my body refuses to follow me, then nature must give me another one. Must Give me another. Not maybe." - Herbert von Karajan

Milos Djukic

7 years ago #37

#4
#35 #25 #24 #47 #39 Great article Kevin Pashuk note) - authentic. Influencer marketing is a slippery slope, as I pointed out several times. Title doesn't mean anything, what is important is freedom of expression, and our cooperation. For me, each user is equally important and influential if he participates with positive attitudes or with constructive criticisms. The real influence in social media is not a title (as within the most of the influencer marketing models), it is interaction and mutual exchange of opinions. An interaction means that the main effects can not be predicted (The Butterfly Effect). It's a sort of uplifting of thoughts and intertwining of respect and that is mostly a self-organizing process in complex adaptive systems like social networks. An aggressive influencer marketing program (comparison of users and titles) may cause a serious disturbance of this self-organizing process, particularly in social networks. You never know who is reading your words, what is the degree of influence, and whether it may be the basis for a future profitable engagement. What I have learned is to recognize honesty in people. This type of recognition, sometimes hidden, is the most important quality of this social media. I call it virtual synchronicity or a fractal alignment (I'm not the only one). It is the principle of how we lead each other. Influence is above all about modesty and helping others. “Helping Others Help Themselves”. Fractals forever.

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

7 years ago #36

Kevin Pashuk on beBee nobody have privileges. ViP is going to be removed as we are going to place an automatic mark for the most active users. Ambassadors program is an unique opportunity to share the future success but they don't have any privileges . So simple like that. Honestly if anybody like privileges , those are on other networks :) ... by the way , you got a lot of comments LOL

John White, MBA

7 years ago #35

Kevin Pashuk: One last thing to point out about beBee Brand Ambassadors versus other "Influencers" on other platforms. I recently got a vanity tag on Twitter and got a verified account. I'm not going to lie, I was pretty happy about that considering the investment I've put in over there. However, one thing I did notice is that I didn't get much attention from the "cool kids" until I became one. In other words, once I got that little badge on my profile, I started to get more verified accounts interacting and following me. Before I became a "cool kid" on Twitter I think there were maybe one or two verified accounts that followed me. Now, I'm pushing 150+ verified accounts that have followed me since, where as, before they didn't give me the time of day. On beBee, our Ambassadors main job is to connect with and promote the other bees on beBee. To welcome them to the platform and help them get started. Share user their content into hives and on other social media platforms. I think it's truly a unique approach. I can't say I've ever had a LinkedIn Influencer interact on my 160+ posts I've written over there and I rarely see them interact on anyone's posts (even other Influencers). The biggest difference is that our ambassadors are serving the users, where as on other sites the users serve the "anointed influencers." CC: Javier beBee

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #34

#61
fair point Gerald Hecht it is an expression we use a lot in Ireland probably does not make a whole pile of sense beside my village :-)

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #33

#29
Kevin Pashuk Club Orange or lemon is a soda available here in Ireland, seems very popular with teens its full of sugar and tasteless really you are not missing much :-)

John White, MBA

7 years ago #32

Kevin Pashuk: Another difference I'd quickly like to point out is that beBee has laid out its criteria for having a post promoted (20 relevants, 5 comments, etc). Where as, on other platforms, there are certain writers that get promoted the minute they write something. Here we let the readers decide first as to which posts are eligible for promotion. It's a much more democratic way of doing things. While affinity networking is definitely a work in progress, I believe the framework we have in place is positioning beBee to be by far the most even playing field for content producers and the last place for true organic reach within social media. BTW, seeing how the engagement here more that qualifies for our minimum organic reach, we have scheduled tweets from 10 beBee twitter accounts with a following of 200k+ potential readers. Buzz on, my friend!!! CC: Javier beBee

John White, MBA

7 years ago #31

Kevin Pashuk: Thanks for the tag in your post and sharing this experience with us. I agree 100% with what you've said. From beBee's perspective, we realize that there is this sort of a social competition that happens on social media for status and influence just like there is in the business world. We believe that this type of competition is typically critical to having an engaging platform. However, at beBee, we want that competition to be as fair and as organic as possible. That is why we are moving away from having the designation of VIP on profiles that were done manually by our staff, and moving to a VIB (Very Important Bee) designation which gets generated from user engagement and activity level on the platform. We will be the first social platform to actually measure engagement and apply it towards designations within the user base. In regards to ambassadors on beBee, I believe there are some key differences between us and other platforms. Users had to apply and prove themselves on the platform before being given the position, kind of like applying for a job. On LinkedIn, for example, nobody can apply to be an Influencer and the criteria for becoming one is unclear. Basically, what I have observed is that the Influencer designation is now mostly used when celebrities join the platform.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #30

John White, MBA - You were the original 'bee Square' that brought many of us over to beBee. Thoughts?

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #29

#45
Aurorasa, your question is directed to me, so I will answer, as briefly as I can, which is never brief by ordinary standards. But I do not want to initiate a conversation that will hijeck the discussion of Kevin's truly great post. In my experience, what develops on a social media platform is the direct outcome of the environment created and the ethos nurtured by ownership/management. When LI, for example, first established its long-post publishing sub-platform, and invited some 25,000 independent (non-Influencer) writers to "publish on LinkedIn", there was a heady period of optimism and engagement, as well as the rapid development of affinity networks among users. It was a case of "Wow, here's a potential audience of 200 million plus to reach with my writing, and the promise by LI to help authors build their own personal networks of connections and followers, that is, readers." But when LI began to manipulate the distribution protocols to favor their anointed Influencers, not only did the LI publishing platform plateau out, but the affinity sub-networks started to weaken, as well. The death blow was the effective dismantling of groups. There will always be elites in social networks, just as there will always be de facto influencers. That is a fact of life, and ultimately non-destructive. What is divisive and destructive is the official designation of an elite group or groups. And the failure to distinguish between business (external marketing) and social networking (believing, in Murray-speak, one's own bullshit). My apologies to Kevin, and my promise not to intrude further into the comment thread here with my "negative" thoughts and observations. Cheers.

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #28

#41
I think I agree, Jim Murray, although I would have said that we have the benefit of years experience with and on LinkedIn. What should not be expected are different results, when the same path is followed. One of the tings I've learned over the years is that people continue to act as they always have in the past. So it is critical to change or differentiate the system, if you want to constrict them from producing the same results. Interestingly, it appears that for now (who knows if it will continue?) LinkiedIn is turning back the clock on some of the mis-steps it took. Cheers.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #27

#41
Now that it's out of my system, I feel so much better. The interesting thing is... I didn't know it was even 'in the system' until a recent discussion on this platform about 'coolness'. While the original discussion differed in context, the concept of 'coolness' started rattling around in the cranium, and out came this post. The power of an engaging platform like beBee, and as you indicated, worth working to keep it that way.

Jim Murray

7 years ago #26

I know you had to get that out of your system, and you did so eloquently. One things that all social/business media sites need to understand is that what attracts people and keeps them active is the quality of communication, ideas, insights and opinions they are exposed to, as well as feeling free to voice their own. In that respect, I consider beBee to the most level playing field yet. The real work is keeping it that way. Fortunately we have the example of LinkedIn to keep us on a positive track.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #25

#33
I once wrote a post on doing a Friendectomy... i.e. reducing your FB and LI contacts down to genuine relationships. I recognize that if you are using Social Media for marketing, then a bigger audience is useful, but you shouldn't mix your marketing and friendship relationships.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #24

#26
Donna, you've always appear to me to be the 'what you see is what you get' type of person. Therefore, you are indeed bee Squared.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #23

#24
Thanks Phil. Being a Canadian with a whole lot of bush around me, I can at times be accused of beating around said bush. If I was to write this post again, I think I would bring out that being bee Squared is more about genuine relationships and being authentic rather than a pressure to conform to group think. In high school it was the 'cool crowd'. We have a great opportunity to make the concept of Affinity work well on beJustin Bee-Ber Thanks for the cojones comment. I am sitting taller in my chair because of it.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #22

#21
I was really enjoying this Ken until I came to the 'coot' line... Then I realized who you were talking about. I'd be delighted to share a beverage 'down under' sir Ken. Let me extend the offer to you to enjoy one of our great Canadian craft beers should you ever decide that Canada is exotic enough to visit. To those who hate dad jokes, perhaps you could join the Dad Joke Survivors group - https://youtu.be/p6_dJDPgac0

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #21

#20
Thanks for your feedback Dean-san. While I didn't like being delivered to school in the police car, it was great to fire up the lights and sirens! I really wish I had them installed on my Jeep now when the traffic gets thick. This post really is more about being genuine and authentic, than being cool. I get to define what 'authentic' is, but others get to define what 'cool' is.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #20

#19
Thanks Aurorasa. It's freeing to be able to spend my energy doing things that bring me joy, and working to make the world a better place. It certainly beats worrying about how many likes I get, or followers I have. By being as genuine as I can, I've learned to appreciate each and every person that chooses to follow me.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #19

#16
Thanks fellow 'innie' Julie! There is a powerful tendency for people to only show their 'good sides' in public. I don't think social media is any different. But not every day is a happy day. There is an art form to being genuine on social media that is somewhere in the middle between an "Everything is AWESOME!!!" facade to "I'm an uncontrollable bundle of sad." Affinity networking on beBee can (if we work at it) allow us to create genuine friendships where we can be real, and genuine.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #18

#15
Thanks PasKal... although I've never heard of an Orange Klub in Kanada....

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #17

#13
Thanks Ren\u00e9e Cormier... You (and your parrots) have certainly found a group on beBee to engage with. You are truly bee-ing who you are! I've certainly appreciated your posts and comments.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #16

#12
After reading the comments, and re-reading my post, I'm beginning to think I was unpacking the concept of being authentic ( jesse kaellis, and others have been playing with this concept in a comment stream on another post). There is no Bee Squared hive or club Paul, but you are certainly what I call authentic. What you see is what you get. Therefore, you am bee-Squared. (Authentic people can willfully make grammatical errors, as long as that lines up with who they am.) :)

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #15

@ Milos Djukic fits, I think, perfectly with our ongoing discussion of the dangers and failures of influencer marketing of social media platforms. Cliques will always develop. Indeed, Hives could be viewed as sanctioned cliques. But creating officially sanctioned elite groups, then of the types Kevin references is ultimately more divisive and destructive. It is one thing to create a brigade for external marketing, but quite another to find such groups engaging primarily in internal self-promotion under the color of being officially sanctioned. Again IMHO.

Phil Friedman

7 years ago #14

Kevin Pashuk, this is a terrific post, laden with meaning and a moral. I hope that readers will see it for what it is, and not an occasion for patting you on the back and telling you that you really are, in fact, cool. I hope that instead they will see and reflect on your highlight of the deeply negative aspects of creating cliques, including the A-list program, which is increasingly being perceived as a mutually self-promotional enterprise, with very little off-platform activity, rather than as a genuine marketing outreach effort. IMO. BeBee owes you a debt of gratitude for having the cojones to speak out so powerfully -- and I would add, with infinitely more elegance and calmness than I could ever muster. Cheers!

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #13

Don't know who's cool, Don't care who's square, Don't give a hoot, Don't really care. ---------------------- But give me a mate, Who laughs at my jokes, Who reads what I write, Then shares with some folks. ------------------------- Who tells me I suck, When I've gone too far, Bald as a coot, And plays mean guitar. ------------------------ Someone who writes, What I want to read, No airs and graces, Just good honest breed. ------------------------------ There's a beer waiting here with your name on it, Kev. 🍺

Dean Owen

7 years ago #12

Getting a ride to school in a police cruiser! Now that's cool! I don't see a lot of distinction on social media between cool and uncool because, well let's face it, most people on social media are not cool (myself included). The big distinction I see is between those who are positive about life, and those who are bitter, negative, and always complaining. The more we engage, the more we are likely to be drawn into the latter group and sometimes it is a struggle to remain positive. Certainly having a huge following in no indication of coolness. It's easy enough for anyone to do. For many of the actives, building a huge following is a goal. For you and I and many of us here, we prefer to have a relevant following. But this has nothing to do with coolness. James Dean was cool, but not exactly the life of the party. And whatever you say Kevin-san, you are way cool + being hugely positive by nature.

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #11

Kool Kevin with the Kool guitar piks :-) now it s time to get a Klub Orange to Kool me down :-)

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #10

#11
Thanks so much for the kind words. My writing style didn't get me far in English class so I'm glad I found an audience on beBee.

Randy Keho

7 years ago #9

I've been called worse.#9

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #8

#8
I was waiting for you to show up Randy. I knew when I put a call out for misfits, non-conformists, and outliers that it wouldn't be long before I heard from you. :)

Randy Keho

7 years ago #7

Just keep being yourself, Kevin Pashuk. He's the guy who's "stuff" I really enjoy reading and commenting on, although I never liked you, anyway.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #6

#6
Thanks Donald. Sounds like you've dropped some of your baggage along the way. Thanks for commenting.

Donald 🐝 Grandy PN

7 years ago #5

I'm in to Bee-Square. I have ADD and my nickname growing up was "Fat Boy" Baggage...YUP. I was never in the "In Crowd" I know that because, I was always in "the Principle's office" waiting for my parents to pick me up. Fast forward, I know how to bring value to a relationship and I'm not fat .

don kerr

7 years ago #4

#4
Good point. No club.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #3

#2
Sounds like a powerful backstory Don. The Bee Squares can't become a club Don, so I can't invite you. A group of individuals contributing to a common purpose is indeed a powerful thing. They are joined as a team by purpose, not by a label.

don kerr

7 years ago #2

Kevin Pashuk Sign me up brother Bee. I am a huge Walt Whitman fan. This piece caused me to recall one of his quotes and while I know he was not writing about the hip aspect of coolness, it still resonates for me. He wrote: "Let your soul stand cool and composed before a million universes." In my younger years, when the electric typewriter was the bellwether of amazing innovation I sought the cool universe. It may have had to do with the loneliness I felt as an outcome of my mother's death, my dad's remarriage, moving to a new town and school. Who the fuck knows? I wanted to be in. I joined clubs. I ran for, and won, the presidency of school council. I had leading roles in theatre. I had achieved coolness. The crowd I wanted to hang with now wanted to hang with me and you know what, it was an empty experience because it was so totally transitory. After two years of this crap, I headed off to a private school away from home and totally abandoned the quest for coolness. I explored the new universes presented to me and I have never looked back. My new profile pic is a finger-up to the notion of coolness and the silliness that such sobriquets represent. If you want me in your club, I'll be there. Just don't tell me it's becoming cool.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #1

Thanks for the share Marta Garc\u00eda Quijada!

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