No 21 - Likes or Death

This week seemed to start with an issue that has plagued social media for some time, and in particular LinkedIn. Helping someone, taking a picture and then telling everyone what a wonderful person you are. This particular post included a picture of a homeless person who had apparently nearly taken their own life, was saved and they were now going to help them rebuild their life.

Aside from the general bad taste that was pointed out by Carl Reader and many others, there were comments about why we shouldn't share photos of vulnerable people. Which is why I'm offering my image subscription that contains 3188 stock photos of homeless people, dogs, cats and situations if you really must post that 'likes or death' story. There's one pictured and I've finally found a positive reason to use stock photos, but if you do, own that you have and why you have. Don't get caught out by a reverse image search.

Some advice to the person who posted the original post. Think about the long game, not the short-term likes. If you truly are going to help them, then you should never have posted the original but posted about their journey with you, with their express permission as they got back on their feet. It's not about you, the story becomes more powerful if it's not about you, but what the result is. Most importantly, take some advice from someone who knows more than I do about safeguarding.

All that said, LinkedIn needs to tweak its algorithm as it promotes this type of behaviour with its AI powered comment suggestions. The unintended consequences of LinkedIn trying to keep the platform a positive place to spend time.

My own personal homeless person story happened a just over a week ago when my phone disappeared on my journey home. Slightly panicking and checking all my pockets, a homeless person offered to let me use his phone. I gave him what I had as a thank you, but he hadn't offered to get something in return, he was just trying to help. A big thanks to the station staff and a nice person who saw my phone nudged out of my pocket as I got off the train, my phone turned up at Gatwick Airport, where we were finally reunited.

I also helped someone avoid a swam of wasps whilst walking the pups the other day. I laughed to myself as I imagined an alternate version of myself asking them to stand near to the swam whilst I took a picture for my LinkedIn. Back a bit, back a bit, a little to the left, look grateful. Oh dear, that's gonna hurt...

Anyway, the rest of the week, well nothing happened, did it? Oh yeah, Boris Teflon Johnsons super powers finally wore off. I hope he's still got his receipt for his lifetime guarantee non-stick coating.

Rishi started the flood and also the leadership race proper as he spun out a slick promotional video quicker than one of Boris Johnson lies. He did start making it on Wednesday, let's be honest. That said, listening to voters across the country and some were crying about Boris, many were upset and said that they voted for Boris. But unless they live in his constituency, they didn't vote for Boris, they actually voted for their local MP because of Boris. We are not America, but whoever comes next has their work cut out in so many ways.

Does Rishi have the first mover advantage? There are many who loved him for his support during the pandemic, but there's also many brands and people who don't because of the support he didn't give. IR35 seems to come up a lot. To be fair, Rishi didn't IR35 the shit out of the freelancer market with his own policy, but then Boris didn't come up with the idea for Boris Bikes, but he's still known for them.

Musk has decided to delete his $44bn Twitter purchase. I never thought it would happen and like Musk or not. I don't think that much power and influence should be in one person's hands. Twitter says that they are going to sue, so I'll be getting the popcorn and tuning into Twitter (ironically).

So, what else? Paddle have officially launched their documentary into buying ProftWell. Watch Christian Owens look stressed and finally pretty dam happy in a nice spin on the boring old world of buying a company for $200m.

I checked out some NFT broccoli next to the entrance to Mad//Fest. a perfect example of adapting to your potential audience, or just tapping into a tread to help to sell your art.

Whilst I was doing that, my good friend Michael Baggs was judging some marketing ideas by some super smart young people. We had the best hour or so afterwards talking about life, Mash Gang, work and the future of NFTs and Web3. (Which may or may not contain broccoli).

Whilst I'm starting to better understand the future benefits of NFTs, the market is still colder than a glass of wine at a No 10 pandemic party. There were no bids on Chevy’s first NFT, even though it came with a free Corvette Z06.

Mark Z's Metaevolution keeps going. Now he announced that a bunch of people probably shouldn't be there anymore . There's likely to be a lot of people who don't want to be there either. It all feels like it's getting a tad toxic.

Having got up close, but not personal with Steven Bartlett not so long ago, I was keen to listen to his interview with James Watt of BrewDog fame. Understanding more of the person and the pressures of rapid growth goes a long way to explain many of the actions, though doesn't excuse them. I'm still hopeful that BrewDog will continue to become a better company. Things appear to be going in the other direction to Meta. Have a watch and let me know what you think.

Back to Meta for a moment. Meta is shutting down its digital wallet , Novi, dealing a final blow to Diem. Zuck Bucks it is then .

Cinemas ban teens and Carl Reader (allegedly) in suits over #gentleminions trend, this really shows off the power of Gen Z and the lack of understanding from brands on how to capitalise on it. Give these teens in suits a safe space to explore themselves free of people they'll annoy. Of course, teens are going to be annoying to families, that much has not changed, but the ultra speed trends that come and go need to be appreciated as their normal. Anyone remember Bingly Mega Chippy?

Honest Burger given up on their vegan only burger restaurant due to an apparent lack of appetite. The brand known for meat, though I still crave their homemade ginger beer I had when they first opened in Brixton. The Leicester Square location wasn't the right one and when people go out in groups, they like the flexibility of going somewhere with choice for everyone in the group. By offering Vegan only they restricted the number of people who would. You only need one in a group of six to say no for the rest of the group to go somewhere else. Just a blip Honest, I still love you!

Bionic reading looks like a cool idea to help people read easier. Go have a look , no eye mods required.

Musk is trying to increase the world population all by himself . "Where's dad?" "He's on Mars son" He could have about 160,000 kids and still give them all a million dollars. Twitter, think of the one thousand kids before you sue Elon.

Anyway, I'm starving, so I'll leave you with a choice. You can listen to me talk about Martech and employee advocacy with the wonderful Jen from Oktopost or read about this long-eared goat .

If you liked this week's newsletter, you know what to do. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend.