08 October 2014

In which the PR guy calls BS on the science people

Welcome to the world of social media metrics
Everyone loves a good "top ten" list, and I'm not just talking about David Letterman.  We like top ten (or top 50, or top 100, or whatever) lists of people - mostly because it gives us an opportunity to judge other people and project our own personal issues and avoid things that really matter.

A few months back, a scientific journal published an article by genomicist Neil Hall about the "K-index," where K stands for "Kardashian." It was a measure of "unearned" popularity among scientists.  It compared a person's number of citations in scientific journals against their number of Twitter followers. 

Seriously.

Some noteworthy scientists  called out some of the article's nonsense. I had something to say about it too.  Science - the magazine of the American Association for the Advancement of Science - responded by publishing not one but two "top scientists on Twitter" lists. 

(By the way, I  note the irony of Neil Hall being better known for his snark on unearned publicity than for his actual work in genomics.)

But here's the thing - the AAAS pieces had some semblance of a "methodology" in developing their lists.  I put methodology in quotation marks because it is full of caveats - including a lack of consensus on the definition of "scientist."

You read that right - Science Magazine's list of "top 50 science stars on Twitter" consists of people who - according to Science Magazine - may or may not be actual scientists.

The thing that bugs me the most about the lists, however, is the reliance on Twitter followers as their anchor metric.   

Social media metrics are daunting as it is, but vanity metrics such as number of likes or followers or even friends don't equate to influence.   For example, more than 150 of my Twitter followers are actually fake.  When Newt Gingrich ran for President, only 8 percent of his million-plus followers were actual people.

If I want a lot of  Twitter followers or Instagram followers, or Facebook friends, or YouTube video views, or blog comments, or blog links, or even search-engine-friendly blog posts,  I can just buy some.

I care much more about the quality of people I engage with on twitter.  I care much more about the kind of information I can get on twitter by following very specific groups of people.  True influence is earned online through candid and effective stakeholder engagement.

So unless you're just publishing click-bait - and I wouldn't be surprised if that's all this was - Don't describe your Twitter list as the "top" anything.  Use these lists as an opportunity to position yourself as a competent curator - someone who recognizes good content and organizes it effectively.  Explain why someone is on it without resorting to numbers anyone can buy.

Saying "this is a list of people I like to follow" also helps people know a little about you. 

28 comments:

socialmediax said...

The number of expected wedding guests must also be kept in mind including
the proportion between relatives and friends. http://addtwitter-followers.com

Unknown said...

This you can find anywhere in the world. Share your URL link with others only using your LinkedIn connections, followers and endorsements, which enable you to make the sales of your profile blogs. With a single click, you would generate more and more sales for the business each day! buying linkedin connections

Unknown said...

you can buy here facebook follower if you want to make popular your facebook account buy facebook followers

sagar90 said...

Constantly give the task of white paper to the ICO White Paper Composing Service. ico white paper writer

Unknown said...

Thank All-Smm for the work. They helped to promote my personal account. I did not think ALL-SMM would really provide quality services. Now I’m going to buy Youtube likes =)
buy Youtube likes

Dmitriy said...

Thank All-Smm for the work. They helped to promote my personal account. I did not think ALL-SMM would really provide quality services. Now I’m going to buy Youtube likes =)

followersaustralia said...

If so, you have what anthropologist David Graeber calls a “bullshit job. ... He argues that there are millions of people across the world — clerical workers ... The same is true of public relations consultants, telemarketers, brand .... or medical work or scientific work or other necessary jobs, but we have to adjust ...buy instagram followers australia paypal

followers canada said...

itsnotalecture.blogspot.com. In which the PR guy calls BS on the science people · image. Welcome to the world of social media metrics. Everyone loves a good ...by epicfollowerscanada

Complay Digital said...

Buy Youtube, Facebook, and IGTV firms unit of measurement out there. purchase prominent and genuine viewers. 24/7 client offer help and purchase Subscribers, sees, comments, likes will be gotten to from our India's No.- one progressing web area https://www.ytviews.in/

prion said...

if need buy instagram likes and followers i can tell where you can buy likes
https://getlikes.shop/

buy youtube watch hours said...

When you buy watch hours to your video, your views and watch time will exponentially increase, but more importantly, your video is given a big chance to be suggested by Youtube, helping your video to stand out from various content since almost 500 hours of videos are uploaded per minute on Youtube. Therefore, your video is more likely to be on the top of the search result page and recommended to others on Youtube, therefore ranking well not only on Youtube but also on Google Search Result Pages.
https://audiencegain.net/product/buy-4000-watch-hours-youtube/

Anonymous said...

There are many rumors about the supernatural powers of the readers of this book, some believe that by reading this scary book, in رستاخیز مردگان addition to discovering the secrets of the created world and seeing its hidden wonders, they can summon the soul and get acquainted with supernatural and scary creatures.

Anonymous said...

Openvz, XEN, VMWare, and KVM are the four most popular virtualizers. Virtualizer is a system that divides the resources of a dedicated server so that each user has access to their own resources. Users can also install the operating system for their server and turn their virtual server on or سرودیتا off if necessary. VMWare and KVM virtualizers are usually of higher quality due to more restrictions on Ursell and resource sharing between multiple servers. They have more than other virtual machines. Due to the more features of the server management panel in Iran Space, KVM virtualizer is used.

Finnan blog said...

Purchase YouTube video shares to promote your video. Increase the number of genuine social shares for your YouTube video and the ranking of your video. You can choose which country (including the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada) and which social media platform to use. And it gets even better because the campaign includes real views, which makes it even more appealing. Check on LenosTube, they will make your YouTube channel in successful way.

nazarkade said...


https://nazarkade.com/

Thank you for your good writing

Wqs said...

Very attractive content. I just want to be more connected with your content. If you are looking to grow your Instagram followers and likes, you can Buy Instagram followers UK from our website.

Tech & DM said...

I’m really happy to say it was an interesting post to read. I learned new information from your article, you are doing a great job. Keep it up.
Social Followers takes the responsibility for getting you famous by letting you buy Instagram followers uk, likes, comments, and more.

Tech & DM said...

Enjoyed reading the article above, really explains everything in detail, the article is very interesting and effective.
Our portal study in Australia provides extensive search results for all study-related options here you will find all the details about top universities in Australia the highest-ranking universities in Australia.

usman said...

hello

usman said...


hi

Doris E. Stevens said...

The Twitch platform offers a wide variety of live streams from video games and other important events. You can decide if you want to watch streaming from your computer or software that allows the viewers to watch anything they want on the platform. Gamers, and especially ambitious players, don't want to let this opportunity go by! Twitch Zuschauer Kaufen

Usman said...

Best Leather Shoes In Italian Designs

Buy instagarm likes said...

Nice blog..we can help you to increase Instagram followers and likes.to know more about our complete services visit us :https://www.sociocosmos.com/

SAndy said...

I've been contemplating ways to boost my Instagram presence organically. What's your take on using services like SK Followers Pro for genuine video views?

에볼루션 바카라사이트 said...

Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time

바카라사이트 said...

I appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.

무료슬롯사이트 said...

This post actually made my day. Keep what you're doing Man! Thanks!

토토사이트 모음 said...

I have shared this web site in my social networks! Thankyou its a great blog.