Comments on: the social virus

By: Ryan_dm

Ryan_dm — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:02:39 +0000

Merhaba!
Check this out!
*

By: Manola Marketblanik

Manola Marketblanik — Tue, 15 May 2007 00:31:18 +0000

It’s a healthy virus that makes people think! Ooooooo .…

By: Stuart

Stuart — Mon, 14 May 2007 14:37:42 +0000

talking of social viruses…have you seen new avatars taking the blog world by storm…seems like a bit of a fad, but fun to mess around with.

By: eva

eva — Sun, 13 May 2007 12:54:55 +0000

I got here by hearing about your “How to be Creative” post. So well said!
…So, yes, I posted one of your cartoons in my site… and a link to your words as well… you are an inspiration! Thanks.

By: Darcy Moen

Darcy Moen — Sun, 13 May 2007 11:16:30 +0000

Hugh, social viruses are not your average virus. Unlike most viri, the social virus only infects like minded individuals, in other words, the social virus tends to spread along certain genus (or genius) lines.
Like your ‘sex and cash’ theory, and your ‘using business cards to weed out prospects’, not everyone self selects or opts into your particular line of thought.
As you have so brilliantly pointed out, there are really two kinds of people, those who get it, and those who don’t. Those who don’t, hire people who do to ‘get it for them’ or create the illusion that they are ‘into the scene’.
Thus, the rise of ‘hired gun bloggers’, Public Relations folks, Image consultants, and the like. All of these industries exist so square folks can appear hip too.
If you are not creative, but have resources, one can always hire someone else to be creative for you. Want to look hip, be on the cutting edge? Easy, spend a few shekels and contract it out!
Now, all the fine window dressing means crap when the curtains are pulled aside and the world sees what really is. As some major firms have found out hiring the creation of false blogs to promote a certain agenda, as have others who have tried to create a false personality, or assume one that is in now way congruent to their reality.
So many crave originality, many try to buy it, few reward it, many feel threatened by it. You just can’t fake orginiality. Either you are, or you ain’t.

By: Danny G.

Danny G. — Sun, 13 May 2007 11:03:45 +0000

I referenced you on AdPulp. Because I think your cartoons are genius.

By: Chuck Nyren

Chuck Nyren — Sun, 13 May 2007 01:51:51 +0000

You’re viral because the cartoons are brilliant. I’d like to know why some ‘old school’ publisher hasn’t approached you for a book.
I have my doubts about:
a) someone being more clever than you
b) designing social/marketing viruses out of nothing
If there were no web, your cartoons would be in magazines, newspapers — xeroxed and mailed in those strange, obsolete paper-holding contraptions I think are called ‘envelopes’ — and along with your copywriting skills, you’d still be doing fine — and be well-known in the industry.

By: Stefanie

Stefanie — Sat, 12 May 2007 22:47:52 +0000

Agreed. Plus it is a non-invasive form of Marketing — people can explore for it instead of being forced to look at it. An interesting approach for a public that is becoming more and more numb to advertising. But, in practice, the effects would be difficult to measure… compared to say… sampling to 1,000 people and measuring sales-lift.

By: KG

KG — Sat, 12 May 2007 22:21:55 +0000

This is right on.
Had this brain-flash last night, and thought I’d leave you a question: Did you ever do a cartoon for your point about “things happening from blogging INDIRECTLY”?
I don’t remember you exact words, but I see your “indirectly” point play out over and over, every day. Your point about this may be one of the ultimate zen truisms about the Web/blogging ever.
If people don’t get your point now, if they stay in blogging long enough, they will.

By: Rob McDougall

Rob McDougall — Sat, 12 May 2007 11:17:11 +0000

Don’t say that hugh! I’m already living in fear of being targeted by word-of-mouth advertisers who pay people to go about the place chatting about their specific product… even taxi drivers!

By: vinny warren

vinny warren — Sat, 12 May 2007 10:30:41 +0000

i think the key to the whole virus thing is authenticity. and you are definitely the most authentic Hugh Mcleod that i’m aware of.

By: RKR

RKR — Sat, 12 May 2007 09:25:45 +0000

Is a “sheep social virus” comparable to “Mad Cow Marketing” disease?
…“most of the population are sheep when it comes to catchy advertising”…(I agree)
If Hugh has “sheep”, I would think the wolves are not far away.
I would like to see which direction the good shepherd takes his flock in the future.
Signed, Not Wearing Wool & Fabulous in Fur

By: JoePampano

JoePampano — Sat, 12 May 2007 07:24:14 +0000

I really love your cartoon on the business card. It shows that simple ideas have always great power.
Ps. I’m becaming a virus carrier uploading your image an link on my pixelpage.

By: James

James — Sat, 12 May 2007 04:10:59 +0000

I’d have to say you’re dead on. All it takes is something catchy and today’s users will latch onto it like a rabid sheep and ride it til the next great thing comes along. As much as we don’t like to admit it, most of the population are sheep when it comes to catchy advertising. Someone with fresh ideas could make a killing imho.
I’ll admit, I check for Stormhoek wine here in Hawaii when I go to the store just to try it out based on your participation with it. Alas, there is none.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 12 May 2007 03:55:46 +0000

Saw you in Seattle last week, now I check your blog every day. We loved the decommoditization/social object idea and are trying to figure out a way to implement it and get paid.
If we come up with anything good (which, honestly, we will) I’ll shoot it over to ya.
Thanks for the creativity. You are, in fact, now linked to from my blog.
–Rachel
p.s. loved the wine!