Spam spelled backwards is maps
In a recent LinkedIn discussion, someone complained that members were blatantly advertising instead of introducing discussion topics. The commenter pointed out how this destroys the confidence of other participants – in the advertiser, and in the integrity of the discussion forum itself.
In this particular group, the shameless self-promo does indeed seem a bit out of control. Some users are relatively new to social media, and perhaps not so well versed in the platform’s mores. And some, no doubt, are plain old dedicated spammers.
While I agree with that commenter, and deplore the heavy handed push posts, I would like to point out that the presence of black hats has one redeeming quality: it serves to accentuate the opposite and at least equal presence of white hats.
Though the garbage created by spammers of every stripe seems up to our ears, at times, it’s worth the trouble to pause and think about the vast numbers of good, smart, fair, energetic, compassionate, and helpful people who actually drive the internet and make cyberspace go round. The ones we have met here who touch our hearts and minds daily. It is to those amazing beings I send this Valentine. I love you!
