Comments on: Social Media Women: ‘Self proclaimed social media gurus’ not welcome

By: A Room of One’s Own: do women need separate spaces to flourish? « a cat in a tree

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:28:31 +0000

[...] why I can’t be fully supportive of Social Media Women, although I remain a huge fan of its creators, fabulous women all. Hang out and talk shop with [...]

By: Foursquare explodes in Sydney as first five city tweetup hits Australia - mUmBRELLA

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:45:35 +0000

[...] Indeed, last night was a big one for social media, with Social Media Women holding its first meeting in Sydney too. [...]

By: Marc

Marc — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:34:14 +0000

LOL..after reading all these comments, this is probably why these women see a need for this event.

If it has legs, it’ll grow.

I dont see a reason what’s wrong with these women holding this event. If you had an event which is $1500 to attend, price would discriminate against many. If the event was for only people in the area code 2000, then geography would be an issue. Choose a ethnicity, another issue.

Basically, people who feel they’re being left out will feel marginalised.

At the end of the day, it’s about intent. If the intention of this event is to empower women to excel, then surely that’s a great thing, right?

PS:…. just dont be that woman..I mean guy!..whatever in SM.

By: Doug

Doug — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:14:28 +0000

Hey Scott Rhodie… can i guess who the self professed female Social Media useless person is?

thats a dilemma – if a woman is a self professed SM Guru, can she join?

By: Matt Moore

Matt Moore — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:46:00 +0000

I am a man. Oh yes. And I enjoy getting worked up about stuff. However I can’t see much to get worked up about here. I don’t actually mind women creating their own spaces to talk about stuff. If “Social Media Women” offers its members something useful then it will continue. If it doesn’t then it won’t. Pretty simple really.

By: Karalee

Karalee — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:32:42 +0000

For what it is worth, I thought I’d put my hat in the ring with a comment.

I considered my views carefully last night, and after having brief discussions with some of the very respectable people who have commented here and over at the Dr Mumbo thread I’m leaning towards agreeing with Scott.

Social media is not about sexes. It’s not about individuals. It’s not about gurus.

The wonderful thing about social media is that it provides an even and leveled playing field for all participants. It’s a dynamic and evolving platform, and is accessible for anyone who has an internet connection.

What I’m torn about, is the concept that women need their own group to “give women a voice in all areas of social media. It’s a place to connect and share to support each other and build a community.”

While I support groups like Women in Business and other collaborative efforts who lobby for, and support women in achieving equality in business, I’m not sure we need it in the social media space? Surely, surely women are equal in this evolving online community?

Please don’t get me wrong, I think the three women who have launched this initiative are talented, astute women who are obviously meeting a need – they have 71 participants in less than 24 hrs notice of their first meeting – I’m more lamenting that in this day and age, we still have a need for groups like this.

In my naivety, I really believe social media is one platform we are all equal.

By: fan of francine fishpaw

fan of francine fishpaw — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:47:04 +0000

This whole thing is pretty ridiculous.

Less talking and more work from the lot of you.

By: kate

kate — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:30:33 +0000

this sort of ‘womens only’ group harks back to the 50′s – only seeking to promote a perceived gap between men and women- truely offensive when positioned in the way it is.

By: Jen Bishop, editor, Dynamic Business

Jen Bishop, editor, Dynamic Business — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:27:21 +0000

I have some pretty strong views on women-only groups, particularly women in business, and I’ve made them known before. In this day and age, I just don’t see the need for it and I think it just strengthens the divide to exclude one sex. That said, our female readers have given me a LOT of feedback that suggests they WANT women in business groups, websites, features etc, and as the magazine I edit should serve the readership and not just what I personally would want to read, I have to grudgingly accept the reality that some women feel more comfortable in, and identify with, women-only groups. I wouldn’t choose to attend them myself. I don’t see anything wrong with what these ladies are doing and there’s plenty of room for all kinds of different social media groups. Pick and choose the one that works for you. I think what’s got people’s back up is the comment about social media gurus pushing women aside, which could all too easily be read to suggest men make women feel uncomfortable and undervalued at other events. This is certainly not an experience I’ve had. So good luck to Catriona and co and if you don’t like it, don’t go. If it suits you, then do.

By: Anonymous_Coward

Anonymous_Coward — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:22:43 +0000

“Social media comes naturally to women. We are networkers, nurturers, gatherers, builders of villages and communicators. Women want inspiration and collaboration, support and confidence.”

You also want your line managers to turn a blind eye while you waste your entire working day piss f@rting about on Facebook and Youtube. And now I’m told that group of school playground idiots who bitch and moan in the kitchen twelve times a day are building a village!

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:01:58 +0000

@Angus: hahahahahahahahahaha!

“What has social media ever done for us?”

By: simon rush

simon rush — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:54:54 +0000

seems a bit anti-social to exclude people

By: Gezza

Gezza — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:50:51 +0000

Odd chaps, women.

By: Damo

Damo — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:47:11 +0000

“Splitter”!

By: Angus

Angus — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:06:40 +0000

“Whatever happened to the Popular Front, Reg?”
“He’s over there.”