Are you, like me, sick of on-line “discussions” that are promotions? Books, videos, webinars, classes, insurance products, resume services, MLM opportunities, training programs, conferences – you name it and you will find it posted as a discussion topic.
The idea for a discussion forum by social networks such as LinkedIn was just that – providing an opportunity to post something that is intriguing, puzzling, thought-provoking and thus stimulative of an on-line conversation. These days, most discussion posts do not inspire comments, because they are nothing but shameless (self-)promotions.
The never-ending promotions make on-line groups unattractive for me. What are your thoughts about this?
An on-line discussion forum ought to be a 21st century equivalent of a high school or college debating club. Pose an issue, take a side, and let the debate begin.
Something like, during the cold war: “Should we wait for the Soviets to launch first, or strike preemptively”?
Peggy M. Parks, AICI CIP, President of The Parks Image Group in Atlanta, just asked: “How can life be better today than it was yesterday”? Now that is a topic we can discuss. My answer starts with: “Yes!”
Now let the conversations begin.
