It started with an e-mail from a friend in the PR business in Dublin:
“John,
You should set up the festival on Facebook.com as a 'group' and 'event'... I find it a really useful tool for promo; especially since pretty much every media person in Ireland is actively on it.”
Facebook! Surely that’s just for kids? Well if my PR friend thinks it would help spread the Rhythm and Roots message, then I had to join.
I signed up a few weeks ago and have quickly built up a list of more than 200 members (friends? ) for the Kilkenny Rhythm and Roots group. It’s definitely a handy and cheap way to spread the word, but it’s the general run of topics and comments that have me bemused. You know the feeling you get when you wander into a strange bar. Within a few minutes you realise the place is not for you. The crowd are either too young or the music too loud, so you just down your pint and try somewhere else.
This is the feeling I get with Facebook. It feels like I’m in some place like Amber Blacks when I would be a lot more comfortable down the road in O’Riada’s or Cleere’s. The pint is similar, but it’s obviously aimed at a different generation.
Here are a few comments sent to me in the last few days. I’ve changed the names to protect the innocent.
“Theresa is trying to think of anything to do but the ironing.”
Ben has “Just had a slice of absolutely divine biscuit cake, laced with whiskey, made by mother of a friend. “
Pat is “lazing about. Stuff to do though, and work later. After I watch an episode of Mad Men, maybe…”
Paula “is going to run up and down her new stairs!!”
Jim “is having a pint.”
Whereas Tony is “eating an avocado with prawns and Nutella.”
Dick asks does “Anybody know of someone looking to offload a Digidesign 002 rack / digi 002 / command 8 interface for ProTools use?”
Bob “is drinking beer.”
All vital pieces of information, I think you’ll agree. Now I’m advised that I should also be on Twitter, but I think I have just about as many “friends” as I can deal with for the moment.
If you still don’t know what Facebook is all about copy this link into your computer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFKHaFJzUb4 - and watch a short cartoon called “What Facebook is for.” It sums it up in a very funny three minutes, just make sure it’s watched on your own time not at the office.
Things we could do without - Part 4
While we’re on the topic, it’s Facebook this week. I know it doesn’t actually cost any money to use it, but every time I see anyone under the age of 30 sitting at a computer screen looking very busy, I’ve a strong suspicion that they’re sending important messages like the examples above to their cyberspace friends.
It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to...
Someone asked me had I any comment to make on the birthday party filmed by MTV in Lyrath Hotel and screened last week. I could only bring myself to watch about five minutes of it, but I’m sure there’s plenty of discussion about it somewhere on Facebook. All I’ll say is there must be lots of dough in the pizza business if they could afford to bankroll this party.
Let’s parade
It’s on! It looked as if the St Patrick’s Day parade was finally about to bite the dust this year, but it has been saved at the latest possible moment. Let’s give credit to councillors Noonan and O’Hargain for saving the day. They’ve bravely gone where no one else would go and deserve our support.
The whingers, of course, will be ringing KCLR complaining that it wasn’t as good as Disneyland or the New Orleans Mardi Gras. These are usually the same people who land their sprogs at sports clubs at the weekend while they head off for shopping and coffee. This year only people who have participated in some way should be allowed to make comments, either positive or negative.
