I’m going to push back a little though. By definition, a trick question is one that comes from a sender who is presupposing a context that the recipient may not be aware of. I find it hard to believe Facebook, Twitter, & LinkedIn are involved in a conspiracy to trick their users!

If they ask the question: “What are you doing?” they expect that people a) will answer it & b) care what other people are doing.

I find the noise vs value debate is typically held among professionals who have chosen to enter the social mediasphere for the wrong reasons – not to be social, but strictly to market their product & service. In that case, yeah, they wouldn’t care about about another’s status.

In business, I agree that status updates should carefully guide followers toward a predetermined destination – a better understanding of your company or brand.

Thanks Shama! Keep up the good work!

Stephen Wade

I’m new to looking at these social sites in a way to promote my business and this is very helpful!

K