Is It Time For Apple To Buy Facebook?

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This article pretty much blew my mind.  Go read it.

Of course when you consider it, it makes sense.  Facebook is sort of flailing left and right but has a userbase.  Apple knows they’re not good at social networks.  Facebook has talked Phones, Apple made THE Phone.  Facebook does a lot of integration – so does Apple.  The article also notes Apple could turn this around to be part of the App store.

Really, just read the article.

Anyway, what’s mind-blowing about it is twofold:

First, that it’s entirely possible.  The stock is down, it seems potentially win-win, and seriously, Apple is awash in cash.

Second, is that we’re even talking about this.  It’s a good reminder of how much money is sloshing around tech right now, and a flashback to the whole MSNBC experience of times past.  Just imagine if something like this does happen, it could easily be a trend.

Do I see it happening?  I’d put the odds at less than 50%.  But I see it as possible.

For us geekonomists, this is fascinating to be sure.  But there’s another career takeaway here: we’re playing among behemoths.  Some of them can very radically alter the course of technology and the economy.  It may or may not be a good idea, or beneficial, or wise, but it can happen.  In this case I see the sense to it, but you never know.

– Steven Savage
Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach for professional and potentially professional geeks, fans, and otaku. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/

Promoting Professional Geekery #40 – Help A Professional Association With Communications

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(For more Promoting Professional Geekery, see this Roundup of past columns.)

You know I’m big on joining professional associations as a progeek (I’ve been talking about it throughout this series). But beyond hooking up and doing some promotion, you can also dig a bit deeper and apply your communications skills and abilities.

Professional Associations have newsletters, blogs, and websites. Perhaps you can contribute to one – with your uniquely personal and progeeky point of view. There’s doubtlessly some things you can write on, so help spread the word to reach your fellows – and help people understand them.

Not up for doing a little content? Then apply your technical, clerical, or other skills to run the engines of communication. If you can put up web pages, configure blogs, or know Mail Chimp, you can help your professional association with cutting edge communications.

None of this appeals to you (or you don’t have the time)? Hook your Association up with some of your fellow geeks that can. Your friend who’s a master of Android can write a blog post about, well, Android. Your web guru friend who normally does sites for indie bands can jump in with the website. You help your association, your friends (who get practice, references, and maybe a bit of out-of-the-box thinking), and you do it all while maintaining your busy schedule.

All of these activities ensure that your association has progeeky content and contacts, so you can help them out – and help them keep in touch with progeeky content and contacts. This is especially good if the association needs to connect with the geek/fan/otaku side more, or is in danger of slipping away from it. Think of it as a subtler form of my suggesions for evangelinecing for or to the association.

Of course you also get to practice various skills, increase your contacts, and get other benefits yourself! So keep this optioin in mind when you want to promote progeekery.

– Steven Savage
Steven Savage is a Geek 2.0 writer, speaker, blogger, and job coach for professional and potentially professional geeks, fans, and otaku. He can be reached at https://www.stevensavage.com/.