And I do. Just take a quick look in this shelf among the “Dummies” books and the books I’ve written (see poster on top), there are multiple social media, classic literary and just plain fun books. But are they really all useful? Should they have been published at the expense of wasting paper, inflating egos and eventually filling landfills and wood stoves?

I say not. But it’s too late for the selection of books on these shelves – I’ll gladly pass some of the good ones along to friends and family who want to read them. Today, I’m going to give you a quick list of fictional social media titles that should never be written (even though some publishers will feel compelled to do so).

Bear in mind that some books that are already out there have some very real value. I’ve even had session attendees ask me for the best books on Twitter – so there is a market for more than you realize. Here we go…

Facebook Status Updates 101 – How to Leverage Facebook to Gain Friends and Influence People

Checking In – Using Foursquare to Get Your House Robbed

Wijacking Your Way to the Top – Using Free Wifi to Save $60 a Month on Fios

Tweetups – Using Twitter to Invite People to a Party

Hashtags and the Rules to Follow

NSFW! The Most Popular Videos on YouTube

Always Be Charging. Why Dead iPhones Happen to Good People.

The Social Media Fishbowl and How to Avoid the Toilet

So, what are some of your favorites of the books already out there? What book would you buy to demystify the Internet – or would you just Google it? And what are some of the subjects and tools you think need no special explanation in today’s socially connected community?

© Jeff Cutler for Jeff Cutler - columns, essays and opinions, 2011. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: book fair, books, Boston, common sense, excess, NPR, Raising a Reader, social media, WBUR

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That seemingly compassionate move was actually short-sighted, stupid and ultimately could put students in that town in school until the first week of July.

You see, in this particular city (like dozens around the Commonwealth) the decision-making process regarding snow emergencies creates a domino effect. First, the city or town hall powers decide to declare a snow emergency. Once the emergency is declared, no resident can park on the roadways so that plows can keep the street clear. These cars have to go somewhere and that somewhere is school parking lots.

But with residents’ cars jamming school parking lots there’s no place for teachers to park. So the school department has to follow suit and call school off. Then the kids get a free day in December.

Friday, all forecasts say that the first inch of snow won’t be on the ground in Boston until about 3-4PM. So, on a day when children could have gone to school, teachers could have been in class, and residents could have avoided the hassle of relocating their cars, one mayor has shaken his personal snow globe and turned the entire town upside down.

And if this same town acts as irresponsibly all winter long – can you say panic-stricken – then students and teachers will be making up lost days for no reason well into the summer.

Another smart move from Boston-area politicians. Another snow-job for common sense.

Keep reading!

© Jeff Cutler for Jeff Cutler - columns, essays and opinions, 2008. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Boston, common sense, education, Jeff Cutler, mayor, Snow emergency, storm

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