uber.la

I hear it again and again, don't go negative. But dang*t, it's hard not to sometimes. Sometimes…

Well, sometimes I let the heat of the emotion get the best of me. And I fire back where ignorant comments are hurled at people entering a discussion with a different point of view than the "author" of the discussion.

Thus is the case with the first Viral Flamewars post in the history of LinkedIn. Nearing 2,000 comments, a self-styled "SEO expert" and "social media marketing expert" Kevin Conway, not the NASCAR driver mind you, has ignited hearts and minds with a call to arms.

Social Media for Business is CRAP! (thread was deleted)

Mr. C has now launched a new discussion group on LinkedIN called, you guessed it, "Social Media for Business is CRAP."

I have become a primary antagonist, not really on purpose, but I have to say I take some joy in seeing these boys wrap themselves around their statements, attack newbies, and now focus their mis-guided rants at me. They definitely needed a target. I am happy to play along.

@jmacofearth
permalink: http://bit.ly/linkedin-viral

POV: Sometimes social media needs an antagonist. I am often happy to slip into that role:

An antagonist (from Greek ἀνταγωνιστής – antagonistes, "opponent, competitor, rival"^[1]) is a character, group of characters, or an institution, who represents the opposition against which the protagonist(s) must contend. In other words, 'A person, or a group of people who oppose the main character, or the main characters.'^[2] In the classic style of story wherein the action consists of a hero fighting a villain, the two can be regarded as protagonist and antagonist, respectively.^[3]

[As a response to some of the comments here, and more so the comments I got as part of the LinkedIN viral discussion, I have launched a NING community site to rally around the best ways to deal with TROLLS who attack. And more importantly the Trolls who threaten. Please join us at Social Media is Not Hate (Ning) You might be member #2!]

The whole post thread. Watch for Trolls along the path, cause they are hoppin mad today!

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