Monday 17 January 2011

Too young for words


Social media took a different slant for me today when I learnt on Facebook about the death of an ex-colleague from Ministry of Sound.  Josh was on holiday in Vietnam when he was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was a fun loving, smart kid who died far too young.

I found out just after reading an article that 40% of over 55s now manage a social network, and I guess it's a precursor of one way in which social networks will be important in years to come.

From a professional point of view it struck me that while, through Facebook, I and others were able to learn the sad news very quickly, and could enter a shared conversation about Josh, the language of Facebook is inadequate in these circumstances.  Do you 'like' a post about someone passing away?  If not, how do you share it with others?  Maybe a grown-up Facebook needs some more grown-up sharing options.

I was of course reminded of the Facebook newbie who added 'lol' to a post about her daughter's  friend who'd passed away - thinking that it meant 'lots of love'.

RIP Josh