You could have said "Lists Up The Cornhole For You" too. I personally have trouble with this one: Focus on People Who Don’t Make a Difference

The answer is in between paid content and advertising. And with that, I'll see you next week. ;)

Gary, the proof will be seen. Oreos 31 M seriously was astounding. We'll see. I agree with you. How much is there to talk about? So many brands have much more to talk about substantively.

You're making me cry, Karen! YES!!!!! (Drinking our Kool-Aid? ;)

We're soooooo close, Mic. Over a beer, we'll figure this out. :)

Alright, Jeff. That's cool. Exactly what I'm asking for. "A clear and honest debate." So what part of my proposed "centrist position" goes too far? And where are some compromises? (And now, because there's so much snark in ALL dialogue, I feel I need to caveat this by saying the above are simple honest questions eager for your response.)

Jim, this open protocol stuff is truly amazing but it's equally amazing how mind-numbing the whole concept is to clients.

There really isn't a good way to "Like" your comment here, Kristofer, but I do.

Also, I should point out that this article was written on Saturday after the first day of trading. We know much more now.

Milo, you make very good points, and I knew that this would be presented. A couple of things. First, Facebook too sells advertising (I buy quite a bit of it for my clients and it often times outperforms Google). Secondly, I agree no one should ever buy a stock for emotional reasons. This piece was more about what it's worth -- more subjectively -- considering how it's changed people's lives. I agree: my piece is bad investment advice and should be taken as such. ;)

Gary and Nathan, it's true. All of this takes hard work. Much harder than most brands consider. The problem as I see it is that brands continue to think this is a marketing challenge. Social is not. Social BUSINESS is a business challenge and must be addressed as so. But of course the problem is that social "media" has media in the title so it's considered a marketing challenge. Let's not think of it as media anymore. The situation then causes operational people to take note and get into the game. As a person who works in this field, I'd much rather engage in that larger opportunity.

Thanks, Audrey. I too thought we'd be past this by now. So wow.

I am going to anticipate that someone might ask or comment about this, but mobile marketing/communications is not a cool, shiny thing. Mobile's time is now and should be core to any company's strategy for 2012. That means that all web experiences need to be rethought and reengineered for a variety of mobile platforms, not just iPhone or Android. Unlike augmented reality and QRs, mobile is an "everyone" play.

Thanks for writing my blog post this week, Gary. I missed my Tuesday deadline. Can I just reblog it over at Post-Chaos? ;)

Olivier, based on your insights, I will amend my thinking on this. People actually do advocate for toothbrushes and chicken sandwiches and anything else that enhances their lives to a new level. Those electronic doo-dad toothbrushes? I know people who swear by them. They can't believe I'm still using one of those "brick and mortar" kinds of toothbrushes. So, I stand corrected. But don't let this amendment make anyone lose site that this post is still all about the car and my driveway.

Love your analogy of a garden. Very well done. You can't plant a seed and see fruit in the morning.

Recently -- today? -- McKinsey came out with a great article on the end of "push advertising." Pretty great read. http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Marketing/Strategy/Were_all_marketers_now_2834

While many of us in the West banter on and on about how this-and-that social network is stupid and a waste of time, tell that to the citizens of Tunisia, Egypt, and now hopefully Lybia. As McCluhan so rightfully said, "It's the medium, stupid." He said that, right? I saw it on the Internet. (FYI, I like being the first to comment on your posts. It appears coordinated.)

Crap. I suck. (Google it.) Forgot the product placement.

You're on a roll lately, Gary. Love the snark. Don't let up. BTW, I'm making my clients buckets of cash using social media because we've taken the time to understand when and where their customers use it rather that how my clients can use as another blathering tool. Secondly, they're making money because we actually to take the time to measure effectiveness all the way to their desired outcomes, be that transactions, service, or any other defensible business objective. We treat it like any other medium. Ain't nothin' special...oh, except for huge scaling opportunities and cost-reduction in communications. And about 4239 other reasons.

The "lake effect" is 100% true. I play much of my summer golf at Superior National and need to warn my playing partners every time. They think I'm nuts until those left breakers turn right. I just have to shrug and give them the ol' "told you so" look.

Eat this, Johnson. ;) http://www.ted.com/talks/blaise_aguera.html How about Expert Augmented Reality? Expert reviews overlaid upon Bing Maps at street level.

As a quotee in this post, I can't agree with you more. Frankly, I'm done with the choir. Be proud. Be good. Inspire others. Lead. I'm unfollowing people as we speak to stay focused. Thanks, Phil.

Paul - These are like the early days of web design when everyone and their brother's mother could design you a "web page." Getting up on Twitter or Facebook is not a social media strategy. Becoming the Mayor of your local coffeeshop on 4sq doesn't make you capable of driving business for that coffeeshop. Getting up in front a crowd and telling people all about the social web because you know how to use it personally but have no clients certainly doesn't make you a social media guru. Your post is really all about people getting duped. And thank you for that.

You sound like a social media expert, Gary. What's happened to you? Is this 2010? *rubbing eyes* Best to you and the MSP team this new year! Andrew