For no reason in particular, other than the fact that I'm getting bored with Facebook, I've spent much of the past couple days thinking about the technology adoption life cycle, and what its implications might mean for the future of social media. Having been on the big three social networks -- Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn -- since relatively early in each one's respective lifetime, I can't help but wonder what's next. 

I tend to be an early adopter. I like things that are different and new. I like to test their boundaries and the potential they hold for enhancing the ways we communicate, collaborate or otherwise make a difference in the way we live. Over time, these things mature. They stagnate. They cease to add anything new to the equation, and simply become part of the status quo. 

As to what this might mean for the big social platforms,namely Twitter and Facebook, I feel like that particular generation is beginning to reach its peak. They are mature platforms, they have become partof many peoples' lives. They are an extension of mainstream media, entertainment and business. And frankly, I'm beginning to wonder how much innovation they've got left, and if perhaps, like Myspace and Friendster before them, it is time for a new generation of social tools to take over. 
 

Relay. 

05/21/2012

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Thousands of luminarias outlining a quarter mile track. Each one representing an individual who has fought cancer. 

Such was the scene last weekend at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life event on Long Island. While the event is sometimes informal, and perhaps only a relay in name only, seeing those thousands of candles illuminated as the sun sets is humbling. 
 
 
No longer the tallest building in town. Still one of the best.
 
 
What happens when something you wrote online appears verbatim (and without permission or citation) in the local newspaper? 

This happens. 

More of the story on BoingBoing.
 
 
Perspective is a funny thing. That is to say, at the May 9 Avett Brothers concert at Terminal 5 in New York, I managed to get a good view of the band. In the bigger picture, it came at the expense of actually getting to hear much of the music. 

Shortly before the show started a, dare I say, short guy and his girlfriend squeezed in behind me. As the band walked on stage, they started talking about the inequality of not being as tall as the people in front of him, and justifying the view of my shoulders by saying, "At least we'll be able to hear them."

I suddenly felt guilty for my height.

But hear the band we could not, as the guy behind me began singing at the top of his voice with each and every song. Now, I'm all for singing along with good music, and have at loud concerts been guilty of doing so in the past. But hopefully not at the expense of others. The Avett Brothers is not a particularly loud band.

Not having been terribly familiar with all of the Avetts' work, I came into the concert with an open mind. From that perspective, the first half of the show was terrible, and it wasn't the band's fault. Eventually, either as a result of repeated complaints from those around him or the loss of his voice, the guy behind me finally shut up. The concert got better. 

Self awareness has not always been my forte. Over the many years I've been in bands or gone to concerts, I've been guilty of singing along with my favorite songs. I get it. And I understand the passion of feeling like the music was written and performed just for me. But I think this recent experience has also enlightened me to the effect that my own behavior might have on others. I hope I haven't ruined too many concerts for everyone else. 
 
 
One day in late February I made the mistake of stepping on a scale. Since that day, I've been counting calories, tracking physical activity and pushing myself to get into better shape.

Whether that new effort ultimately makes a huge difference in weight or not (I dropped 10-15 lbs. so far), it has changed my mind about running. It used to be I'd do anything to avoid running. Now there isn't much I'd rather do. It's a strange shift, but a good one.

As a next step, I'm joining my company's team in the upcoming JPMorgan Corporate Challenge next month in Central Park. It's a 3.5 mile race and we're doing it for charity. I'm raising money and might even be able to run the whole thing.
 
 
Still not blogging on my personal site as much as I should. So watch the gap. Though I'm not quite sure what you should watch it do....