“Google before you tweet is the new think before you speak.” - Jennifer Brownhill via Twitter

Photo: Google Screen Shot

So here's some irony for you: Today I sat in a soon-to-be-out-of-business Borders flipping through book after book about the intricacies of social media. And on top of that, the thought actually crossed my mind that I probably didn't need a book, that I could just Google the how-to's instead. Horrified with myself, I immediately rushed to the check-out counter with a book in-hand, purchasing a magazine on the way out as well.

Today's instance paired with a recent multi-generational conversation about the power of social networking has got me thinking, just how "connected" does one have to be to garner or maintain success? There's facebook, twitter, blogs (hello!), you tube, blah, blah, blah the list goes on. And in order to maximize usage of each of these sites, you have to have a smart phone so you can stay in touch with the digital world at all times.

I know this is not new news, but I am still baffled by the scope of it all. I can't help but wonder, where will the world of communication and entertainment go from here? If even big box bookstores are closing in favor of digital readers and online megamarts, what is next? As long as we don't forget about the power of human contact, then I'll be here putting my toes in the proverbial social media water, waiting for the next big thing to shake up our world.