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#Usguys is a Twitter Tribe that has been around for over a year. It started out as a Social Media garage where the main emphasis was conversation around marketing, social media topics, seo, new tools, and outrageous comments from Dan Perez. To learn more about what is #Usguys surf here. Many would argue that the Tribe as it is constituted today has many excellent strengths and I will let them argue that point in the comments. In this post I want to lament some of the things lost along the way.
1. Losing the #AMCommute.
I miss chatting with @SeanMcGinnis and @PeterfromOttawa during the #AMCommute. There was something special about knowing Sean’s conductor was named “JJ” and hearing thoughts from Peter while he transited around Ottawa. There are many other great conversations lost as well from those early days. More on this later. If you know what I’m talking about leave a comment…
2. The Fab who?
It’s funny, as I was contemplating this post @TomMoradpour made a rare visit to the hashtag he helped establish. More recently the @RealChaseAdams has been in/out of the tag. But, let me let you in on a secret. They never meant to create a Tribe. There was no thought given to the “institution” of usguys being or meaning anything. It was 5 guys talking about the Gap Logo fiasco and people were drawn to the conversation. You, me, “we” actually do them a dis-service by thinking they “created/founded” usguys as we know it today or even 11 months ago. Disagree? Make your point known below.
3. What Web site?
At one point in time there were a few out of Twitter points of reference to #usguys. Chase Adams started a Posterous blog and had aspirations of making something more permanent. Several people jumped in to help and TheUsGuys.com had a brief hey-day say February / March of 2011. Bet you that the most recent additions to the hashtag have no idea a site exists. Plans for an even better, more community driven site seemingly died in the Lab. Maybe #usguys doesn’t need a website anyway, what do you think?
4. The Flight to the suburbs.
As a Twitter tree house or the Bar “Cheers” on Twitter it is kinda cool that many hashtag champions will stop in for a drink or two (#Beer, #Wine, #Coffee, #Chai). Maybe this was only ever going to be the ‘role’ of the hashtag. But, still, it’s kind of sad to see some of the early gang move on and establish highly successful Twitter chats out in the Burbs… We still have #Usguyschat on Mondays at 3pm, but it is not secret that I’ve questioned if @Ken_Rosen and @SMSJoe should take that out as well. For context, there were once plans to have “channels” on the hashtag so that you could tune into WordPress or SEO or Coffee or Business or Marketing, you get the idea… What do you think? Sad or just the way it should be?
5. Facebook or LinkedIn?
@RicDragon remarked on Saturday 12/11/11 RT @RicDragon: hadn’t looked specifically at #usguys stream for a bit; seems more of the convo has moved to the other SoMe platforms! Actually, it has not just moved but fragmented. There are at least 3 Facebook groups, several versions of circles in GooglePlus, a Google Huddle, a defunct for now #Skype chat, and a couple of different iterations of LinkedIn groups. Add the scattering of former usguys pundits like @samfiorella @jolewitz @SeanMcGinnis to whole other areas of interest on and off twitter and it seems to me that we as a community have lost something. Your thoughts?
6. School yard fights.
Along the way we’ve had a few different school yard fights. I’ve always found these to be sad when they could not be repaired. A few good people have simply walked away from the group because they were in it at the wrong time. People are people and the occasional spat or misunderstanding will happen. I think we need to quickly move it off of 140 to something a little more robust like a Skype call or video. Anyway, a few people I really enjoyed moved on because of some of these spats. Makes me sad, how about you?
7. What? Did you really think it would be 12 sad things?
Well, there go Six sad things about the #usguys Tribe. No doubt you can add your own. Like why the name Us Guys (I agree with @Nakisnakis’s POV). However, I have a theory about the eventual fate or course of the Tribe which I’ll try to sum up in point number 12… Please, agree or disagree in the comments.
8. Meetups.
Starting with the Inaugural #UsGuys East Coast MeetUp on January 23rd, 2001 in Philadelphia, there have been many such meetings on both coasts and in the middle. If you have not experienced the joy of a Tweetup yet check out this video “One Tribe” by Ty Sullivan to get a feel for one.
9. IRL Relationships!
Twitter is an amazing way to find new relationships. It’s a little backwards. You get to know people from a different angle. You may not know what the names of their kids are or if they go to church, but you get an excellent feel for who they are as a person. #UsGuys has been the source of many amazing relationships for me. I’m working with people I love because of Twitter and #UsGuys. For those who do not yet get Twitter? #UsGuys is a great place to start. I strongly encourage you to meet people “IRL” or face-to-face whenever you get the chance.
10. SuperConnected.
Where else on Twitter can you go and ask almost any question and get it answered? Yes, if you know a certain question is best tweeted to #ToolChat or #BlogChat you might get engagement back. That depends on many factors though… #UsGuys is a great example of the power of weak links making the world smaller. I would almost bet the degrees of connection starting with #usguys would be 3. Yes, you are 3 degrees away from anyone or anything in the world. Try it, let’s play!
11. Causes.
Stick around #Usguys for a bit and you’ll see that people care. Get to know them some and your cause could become their cause. @MargieClayman recently discussed this during #Tweetdiner (now found on Thursday nights at 9pm ET). We also helped @997Dave with his annual #CampbellRiver #ReliefTruck, information about the Campbellriver foodbank. I’m thinking there is some value here…anyone agree?
12. Timshel.
Just this past Sunday morning @Milaspage reintroduced me to the word Timshel. Her favorite quote of all time is from East of Eden and involves the concept of Free Will and man’s ability to choose. For more information you can read this excerpt from Oprah’s bookclub. For me, when I look at and legitimately lament certain things lost from Usguys and the diaspora of certain peoples and ideas; I also think about how collectively we control our future.
Those of us who are proud of being from the Tribe also have a charge, to choose. To choose how we will evolve. To choose how we will conduct ourselves. To choose to continue to welcome new people by ringing the tribal bell. To choose to be a resource for any who ask. To choose to have fun (including riling up @DanPerezFilms or @PaulBiedermann). To choose to care, and be friends.
What do you think? What do you miss? Who do you miss? What do you think of the current state of things? More importantly, what do you choose to do/be? Please tell us…
Photo Credit Creative Commons of Linus Art from Flickr
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I have the #usguys stream on the front tab of my Hootsuite window, and I read a lot more than I participate, because I see a lot more links going around than actual conversations these days.
That said, I love the #usguys conversations I do see, and I have always found it to be a kind and inclusive group. It’s strange to read about the “sad points” you’ve made, because “sad” is not a word I equate with the tribe in the slightest.
@kehutchinson Do agree, been lurking myself too.
@kehutchinson Kate! Thank you for your comment. I kind of like to find the extremes in a point of view. Helps to see the middle better.
@kehutchinson @Josepf I love the point about not associating sad with the tribe. That being said, I also miss some of the conversations that used to take place on Twitter. However, as others have already discussed, some of those conversations have now shifted to other platforms. Earlier tonight, a number of the #usguys were having an audio chat using a PTT app. Given the creative and innovative nature of many of the tribe, perbaps we should be less surprised at the diaspora and consider itpart of the natural evolution of the group. Just my 2 cents.
@kehutchinson Kate, I agree with you completely. I was thrilled to be welcomed to #usguys with “ringthebell” and still keep it on my Hootsuite dashboard. I don’t weigh in as often as I used to because the discussion isn’t quite as engaging or relevant for me as it used to be. I still consider myself part of the tribe, and I’m thankful for the wonderful connections I’ve made, especially with those who I have met or engaged with IRL. #usguys was key for me in changing Twitter from a fire hose of useless information to a community.
Sadness. Failure to live up to potential.
@jonsebastianhenry Jon, I think that is my perspective. Perhaps the potential was too elusive, however, there were some key influencers who at one point in time saw #usguys as a platform. That sense of direction seems entirely missing right now and it has devolved to more of the watering hole. Nothing wrong with that per se….
@Josepf@jonsebastianhenry Josepf and Jon, I share your viewe. When a few us agreed to moderate #UsGuyChat ( @Sean McGinnis and @taariqlewis earlier and @smsjoe (Joe Ruiz) for a long time now), it seemed a fun way to pitch in on a little island within what would be a group with a direction. But as you say, that direction seems gone…or at least invisible. The chat is fun and interesting, and a fantastic group of people comes and goes, but I sometimes wonder if we’re offering any value not delivered by other chats. When the group had a topical identity, however broad, it made so much sense to have a fixed time each week to meet and do some deeper dives. Now, the name seems almost an anachronism.
Wonderful post Josepf! I’ve noticed a lot of the same things in the past 6 months particularly, and it is sad. Like @kehutchinson , I still keep the #usguys stream on the front page of my Hootsuite; but I read more than I participate. For me, I think it has a lot to do with how the group has scattered from Twitter to all of these other platforms. It is much more difficult to keep track of than it ever was before. With that said, I still adore #usguys. I am grateful to the tribe, as without it I wouldn’t have met so many great people – like ricdragon and found my way to the dragonsearch team.
Agree with ya J, like all the points you make. There might be ups and downs but all that matters at the end is meeting new like minded people. This is a nice follow up to my post a few months back about how its evolving. Changes always happen as we grow and change is always good!
Like others, I have the #UsGuys stream on my Tweetdeck at all times and occasionally dip my toe in, but do miss many of the early conversations. Such things ebb and flow and right now, I’m enjoying the #UsGuys Facebook group. Just as the stream has evolved, I too, am changing the way I engage, choosing to go more slowly. In the last year I’ve met some incredible people via Twitter in real life. From here, @abovethestatic, @PaulBiedermann and @Bethgrangersays are three. Very sorry you couldn’t make it when I was in NYC last June!
I look forward to deepening the connections I’m making online and translating those into real life. #UsGuys was very accidental so perhaps that’s why it’s morphed the way it has – and is certainly an interesting experiment in a free-form community. . . .
@pprothe@PaulBiedermann@bethgrangersays Patrick, truly regret not seeing you in early June of 2011. Especially when I look back at the reason I could not make it… Sigh. Having met paulbiedermann bethgrangersays and abovethestatic in person a few times now I whole-heartedly agree with the value of meeting incredible people from Twitter. It does make our world smaller and friendlier. We’ll see how things morph. ricdragon appropriately states “it’s not dead yet” and I concur. Just where is it drifting and why?
@Josepf@pprothe@PaulBiedermannpaulbiedermannbethgrangersaysabovethestaticricdragon@bethgrangersays It can’t die, it is a hashtag… someone will always engage, moderate and facilitate in the stream. Question is… are the original cast of characters going to allow others to piggyback on the notoriety of the stream or will they come back and engage in what they built…
I have been to many tweetups and social media seminars – I am always taken back when someone says, your one of the UsGuys aren’t you? The stream has a great name people… Can’t we all just get along
It was great to meet in person. Those of us in the NYC area, or other areas that have had IRL meetups are lucky! @pprothe @PaulBiedermann @BethGrangerSays
@BethGrangerSays@PaulBiedermann And I must say I’m a tad envious being in my West Coast outpost missing out on your IRL meetups. That’s really where the magic happens imo . . .
To paraphrase that Monty Python skit in The Holy Grail, “it’s not dead yet!”
@RicDragon Seinfeld & Python within the first ten comments. Yep. That’s #usguys.
@sumnermusolf@RicDragon Quoting Seinfeld and Monty Python – love it!
I’m a relative newcomer to #usguys and have learned so much and met so many great people in this stream. Through #usguys I was introduced to Dave, got to chatting with many of you and #winechat was the result! Seeing the support of #usguys for #campbellriver was amazing and shows any disengagement or changes can be classified as “it’s just a flesh wound”
Cheers to all!
Interesting post @Josepf! I’ve only been a member of #usguys for about 9 months or so, but I’ve noticed some changes in that time as well. I initially joined the “tribe” because I saw so many conversations happening, and I was already following many members. When I asked about what #usguys was, I was met with such welcoming, open arms and so many tribal bells ringing, I was immediately captivated. I don’t see as much of those conversations any more, and in fact, the people that welcomed me that night in March don’t seem to be very active in the stream anymore. I don’t know if this change is a bad thing or just a change… I know myself, I’ve had a lot of change in my life, especially with the startup of my business, and I don’t have as much time to spend online as I used to. But I still find the support of the #usguys tribe is bar none the most of any out there. I know that at anytime, I can jump into the team and had a friendly conversation, or tweet a question and get an almost instant response or advice. I’m very grateful for the friends I’ve made through the hash tag, and will continue to engage when I can.
As for a website, more formal chats and streams etc, I’m not sure….in the past I would have said no, because the organic feel of the tribe was one of the thing that drew me to it, but with the evolution of other platforms and the tribe itself, perhaps it’s time for more structure… I am interested in seeing where it goes from here.
@pamelamaerosspamelamaeross Yes, we all go through phases, there are whole days I do not even get into Twitter let alone #usguys. The funny thing is Twitter time is accelerated somehow. A year in Twitter is what? Dog years? Faster? So perhaps in part this post is the grumblings of someone who sees a different crowd in his old watering hole.
Playing darts instead of shuffleboard. Or perhaps I do have some other points I’m making 
Anyway, apprecaite you and kehutchinson weighing in on the topic with loving support. 
@pamelamaeross you nailed it here –>> I still find the support of the #usguys tribe is bar none the most of any out there.
My take on #usguys is that it really isn’t about “anything” and it will always be about “anything”. No leader, no mission, no product/service to sell. Just a bunch of folks who get together when time allows to chat. And just like any circle of “friends”, people come and go, people will disagree (fight) with one another, some will look to take over the group, others will look to exploit the group for their personal benefit, and sometimes (sometimes) even lasting friendships are formed.
Human nature doesn’t change just because you take it online. People are people. Let’s just accept that and appreciate the few good folks we get to call our friends before we die…
Yes?
@danperezfilms Like Seinfeld for Twitter. Nice.
@Sean McGinnis@danperezfilms speaking of Seinfeld, where oh where is ginidietrich and Sean, nice to see yuor smiling face, how have you been?
@Josepf@Sean McGinnis@danperezfilms I am here!!
@ginidietrich@Josepf@Sean McGinnis@danperezfilms Squuuueeee
@danperezfilms love the “appreciate the few good folks we get to call our friends before we die…” on this we sincerely agree… thanks Dan
@Josepf@danperezfilms I never realized #usguys was about riling up Dan. THIS is a HUGE selling point!
@ginidietrich @Josepf @danperezfilms Watch out or he’ll sick Buddy on you.
Kind of like how “Seinfeld” was about “nothing” or anything… @danperezfilms
“They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” ~ Andy Warhol
I’m still relatively new to #UsGuys, myself, though for an eternity in Internet time. (You mentioned time scales, as in dog years.) As new people have joined the community and its discussions, the demographics have changed. –In some ways, we’ve changed.– Some of the original and early participants are increasingly involved in other pursuits and some diffraction inevitably occurs when members take conversations to other venues. As a group, we’ve collectively changed the nature of #UsGuys.
It’s human nature to look back at the end of a year, to look through a lens of nostalgia for bygone days. And it’s a good exercise to remember. It’s also a wonderful thing, as I see, to look forward to what is to come.
Speaking selfishly, I’ve benefited from the introduction. The introduction to you, Josepf, and to others who chat about morning coffee or delve into deeper topics. I’m grateful for the welcome I got the first day, and in days since. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to welcome other newcomers.
Do we get a ribbon if we have stuck through all the %^&* that has happened?
I miss how we use to have meaningful discussions. I miss the original crew, I was connected to them as people, not offense to the new kids, but you are a lot of times not my cup of tea.
I miss how we really supported each others online activities. Like a great group of bar friends “Cheers” we appreciated each other for our differences. Then the mean kids, the mentally “__”, and a revolving door came along.
Now I still go and enjoy a cup of coffee and share, then have most of my conversations off the hashtag.
Thanks @Josepf for being a beam of light, and finding ways to continue the convo.
Hell I even remember when I use to take up for @danperezfilms and now I just hold up the hand chuckle!
My question is who do you miss and why?
I was warmly welcomed in to the tribe about 6 months ago, so I can’t talk about how things were in the beginning. I’m not a techno guy, not a social media guru or a life coach authoring a new book…Oh, and a confession…I don’t drink coffee (shun me now!)
But I do enjoy good, decent people, and so many of them can be found by following the #usguys tag. The tag is dead center of my tweetdeck and I love to start my day with a “wave” from you @Josepf or a big smile from Ed Han, or a coffee clink (diet coke for me) from Karen Lund…and on.
And lately, the social good with Dave Reynolds and Campbell River…it was an event for one community that bridged so many others together, truly awesome!
And, what @danperezfilms Dan said “…even lasting friendships are formed.” Yes? I say Yes, Indeed!
@JohnFeskorn@danperezfilms John, you’ve been a great addition to usguys. What is interesting to me is that while the underlying reason for usguys has shifted (I think considerably) something else has emerged. However, at one point in time it could have been argued that usguys was the goto place for a technical or social media question or conversation. It was simply the main focal point. It’s kind of like having the local Academy of Science turn into a sports club.
Nothing wrong with it, just odd for those who can recall the former chemistry lab being located where the cafeteria is today 
Great way to describe it… @Josepf @JohnFeskorn @danperezfilms I do take my more serious conversation to #otable or google+ or post it on both streams. I still love the emotional support, support for causes, and other things that continue to happen.
I believe I was one of the early tribe members… before we rang any bells… so I feel my comments are somewhat relevant.
I miss the meaningful discussions, and the not so meaningful – ( #ifthen, pajama parties, Skype chats ) and I miss many of the people who have seem to left the stream. I was part of the very first meetup in Pa. – @Josepf brought me into the stream. Some of the first twitter people I met IRL were @RicDragon and @prosperitygal , who I met first in the #UsGuys stream.
Here’s the deal how I see it, every time that word “monetize” comes up, people feel slighted because they aren’t included, and the tribe loses steam. I have seen it several times over the past year. I am baffled by people who attempt to build an #UsGuys website with thoughts of monetizing. I see it and others do to. All the characters who have come and gone made this stream so popular. What good is a website when you have alienated all the tribe members? I vote for a new rule – No Website, No Logo, No talk of Monetizing…. just let it be the wonderful method of engagement that it is.
As for me, the deep friendships I have made will always be here. How could you not support such a giving person as @997dave and how could you not respond to a recent email from @jackinessity … I tell you straight up I have had different opinions with several elder tribe members that could have gone bad and I have disagreed with many members actions, but I tell you what…. if Paul, Jeanette, Karen, Heidi, Peg, Joespf, Nick, Steve, Sam, Michele or whoever was in trouble and needed help, I would drop what I am doing and offer whatever assistance I could offer. This is a powerful tribe people, full of great characters all of which have the best intentions. I have formed everlasting friendships here and and damn glad to call everyone of you my friends. I for one will do what I can to stimulate conversations and help keep the stream alive.
There are still great people who remain active and new people join frequently I really enjoy engaging with. The tribe will continue…. After all – It’s just a hashtag and nobody can ever own a hashtag… at least not yet…
@LewisPoretz@Josepf@RicDragon@prosperitygal@997dave@jackinessity I agree with you wholeheartedly Lewis and your point of view. Deep friendships are what have been made here and what make #UsGuys special and make it continue. I love 997dave and am so proud of what he and dear @rickietyler accomplished with all the #UsGuys cheering on in their own way! It was a beautiful thing to see. The way everyone has rallied around me as I have been honest about my bi-polar disorder has been wonderful. @JohnFeskorn says I should reach out now that I am in a depression and I really am at a loss as to know what to do. My instinct is to withdraw. But you wonderful people have me out talking to all of you today and I thank you for it.
@libbytalks@LewisPoretz@Josepf@RicDragon@prosperitygal@997dave997dave@rickietyler@JohnFeskorn Libby my dear, you can reach out ANYTIME. You saw me! I had a moment of overwhelming lonliness and posted asking for help to the facebook group- and boom, within an hour I had four emails and many facebook replies. It’s not the first really low moment I’ve had lately, and you guys keep being there.
I can’t shake the feeling I’ve had all year- that what was started with the group isn’t finished yet.
Jackie
@libbytalks@jackinessity Ladies, please know we deeply care about you both. We get wrapped up sometimes and fail to see what’s happening in everyone’s lives and as friends we should do a better job of knowing about you. At low times in your life, remember we’re only a DM away…a hashtag away, an email away and all the time; only a phone call away. We care! we can talk, discuss, and share as much as you want to…..that’s what friends are for!
Hugs to you both!
Being from Seattle and having gone to college there from 88-92 I think I could swap #UsGuys for “Grunge” in this post and all associated comments and it would hold up. “I remember when I was the first stagediver at the Off Ramp before Nirvana was Nirvana…” Lol!
In other words, savor the fine memories but live in the now and engage with #UsGuys for the future. Cheers Josepf. Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed reading it and the comments!
@BrandFlair Thank John, good perspective, like the Nirvana reference, can remember exactly where I was at when I heard of Kurt Cobain’s suicide…. (Driving South on I-95 having just entered North Carolina)… And Nirvana is an interesting analogy. Irreplaceable actually, the Foo Fighters just don’t cut it…
@BrandFlair The baby on the Nirvana cover is now 20, just like the Nevermind album. He may be grown, but the album is still considered a classic. I think that’s what #usguys can be.
I became a part of #usguys in March of this year. I have enjoyed the chats, friendships and IRL meetings with so many people – including those who may no longer be active with #usguys. We all need to remember how much has changed this year in the social media world, and not just with #usguys. There are so many more chats/groups to become part of, so many more social media options and tools…I actually think #usguys has weathered the storm well.
Josepf, I don’t think a website is needed, but the chat should continue, perhaps with more focus based on current group dynamics (and perhaps a different time as Monday 3pm is tough – for me at least!)
Onward and upward!
@Josepf The 3 main benefits I derive from being part of #usguys are 1)humor 2) education 3) connection to like minded people. Yes, the #coffee chats in the morning will not solve the world’s problems; they’re more of a “Hey, I’m part of this watercooler crowd..have a g’day” If I have a tech question, there’s always an expert, an #Otable tweep ready with advice. #winechat has introduced me to wines I would normally not drink. There are some #nightshift chats and #haiku contests that had me crying tears of laughter. Aside from getting to know people through these streams, I’ve gotten to know them even better by reading their blog posts and interacting on fb. When I met some usguys in NYC this past June, it was instant “like”. I’ve amassed quite a wonderful crew of people I’d like to hang out with. I was saying to a friend of mine: If I were to travel to any part of the country or internationally, there probably will be 1 #usguy I’d look up that would buy me a drink!
@DixieLil haha! you were an instant like with the boys too
And the #otable is a good example of what I’m talking about… It used to be an #usguys peep, #Otable is a splinter cell of usguys in many senses 
You are right, I’lll buy a drink for any usguys who happens to show up in any city I happen to be in at that moment 
// I know the same is true any where I go and I’m looking forward to getting out to the middle of no where to see people like libbytalks and mimibakermn and sumnermusolf@merlinuward and/or mimiortega . Just to name a very few…
@Josepf HMMM where is that drink my friend we have been at at least two conferences at same time I know of ( she walks off putting her hand in your face chuckle)
@prosperitygalproperitygal haha! ricdragon was wearing your #BWELA Tee-shirt the other day, man was he making that look good or what! ? So Michele – the key to getting a drink is appearing after the show’s done
at #SxSWi that was so insane… Not sure what happened to you in LA though. Did catch up afterwards with a slew of peoples. Like matthewliberty and his lovely wife 
I’m one of those who has largely migrated to other platforms. I love keeping up with Usguys through Facebook. I just find that I’m not a very good social media multi-tasker. So, while I check in on Twitter now and again, I’ve found that I need to be there all the time or I just feel lost.
People don’t die. They just evolve to a higher consciousness. I am proud to be one of the original usguys members. I am proud to have conversed with so many great people. I am proud of the support I received from people I hardly know and unfortunately probably will never get to meet. I am proud to have debated, had a riff with few usguys
and grown as result. I have been pissed off by a few things but hey human beings get pissed off right 
I mean I am not perfect and neither are usguys. The one thing I can state categorically is I loved the early days. I love the morning commute commentary from Sean and the vitality the # had in the beginning. But to see it still going strong and the connections made IRL and online is a wonderful thing. I am not as active as I used to be mainly because of other committments at the moment. But I hope to be more active in 2012 and to make it America and Candada in 2012. I am looking forward to the day when I can meet some of you in person buy you a drink of real coffee or your favourite fire water of choice . Until then Namaste my friends.
Love Life.
@Grit08 definitely looking forward to meeting you when you come to the states my friend
Amen, @LewisPoretz . You can’t get over to this side of the pond fast enough,@Grit08 . Hope you’re well, brother.
I won’t answer any of the open-ended questions from @Josepf ‘s “dirty dozen.”
I joined #usguys… eh, who cares when / why I joined? I saw Twitter handles become names, which in turn became voices and messages and causes and opinions and ideas and faces.
The group makes me feel intimidated and engaged, all at the same time. It’s where I can learn – new acronyms, new tools, new technologies, new opinions, new ideas… and, if at all humanly possible, hopefully find out what I want to do when I grow up. [I have a sneaky, snarky suspicion that this group of people will play a pivotal role in what has become a lifelong journey for me.] Intentionally or indirectly.
I’m too simpleminded to worry about monetizing. About long-term plans and strategies.
I know of a group of people that I find uniquely interesting and engaging. Whether the seven characters are involved in the tweet or not — or any other platform, for that matter — I know where we all came from. I have a profound respect for you all.
Now I just want one of you to come up with a job that fits my increasingly unique talents and will compensate me incredibly well. Ready. Go.
@sumnermusolf@Josepf With you on the job thing, dearest! As you well know~
I’m new to #usguys and enjoy my morning #coffee with everyone who’s getting moving at the same time I am. ty_sullivan , @ImMarkBernhardt , @brucesallan, @mimiortega, @milaspage and so many more have been wonderfully welcoming! I’m not in Marketing, or SEO, or anything like that. I simply blog. I love #usguys for the friendships. Being able to do a tweet-up with @sumnermusolf and @libbytalks, and @bradspy within a week of joining was stellar. Then @ImMarkBernhardt and @libbytalks and I were able to do another tweet-up. Making these kinds of friendships is why I love #usguys and being part of this group. 997dave and @rickietyler have been fun to connect with in this group and to support with their endeavors. If someone needs some SoMe help and I can change my avi or vote for their cause, or donate even a small amount, THAT’S what I can give of myself on Twitter and it helps me to feel like I’m part of something bigger than myself.
Great post @Josepf I agree with you in many of your points above. But this mentality has come with time. You know I’m an early #usguys and involved in early planning for #usguys future and when I look back now I realize this came from the “love and attachment we had for the people we had met”….but at the end of the day; it was merely a hashtag!
You are correct about the initial 5 did not set out to create this. There was no intention of a group: a tribe, websites, groups pages, LinkedIn groups, chats,etc. – so in my eyes this was not created by the initial 5 – WE created this! it was our daily commitment to discuss our passions and to share our #coffee. It was our dedication to the hashtag and our new friends that kept this alive. Sadly the initial 5 were some of the first one’s to leave us – but we have to understand it was not their intention.
To this day, people join us for a multitude of reasons and they leave; also for their own reasons. Some we will never understand. But there is a group of people that have bonded and we have become “real friends”
I feel that some of those people are closer to me than friends I have IRL. Since I share and chat with you guys a lot more frequent than I do IRL and like @LewisPoretz said: There is nothing I wouldn’t do for them! ….and for that I thank #usguys.
So no need to think past what it is, No need of website, or logos….we make what we want out of it.
Like Paul McCartney said: “And in the end, the love you get is equal to the love you give”
Huge love and appreciation for #usguys!
FYI: the famous words came from McCartney as: **And, in the end, the love you take/ Is equal to the love you make** and misquoted by Lennon – piece of trivia here..
Part of what I like is that no one can “own” #UsGuys and it has a life/evolution of its own. It’s fascinating. Some sociology or anthropology student should study it! @Jeannette Baer @Josepf @LewisPoretz
@Jeannette Baer@Josepf@LewisPoretz Jeannette – right on. I’m glad to have connected with you via #UsGuys. I didn’t really intend to leave but found the conversations not as relevant – but cherish the connections. And yes, it’s not the first five of us who created what it is, it’s what the group made of it since.
I would really like to meet both you and @LewisPoretz IRL at some point. It’s a small world! (And @Josepf too)
@pprothe@Josepf@LewisPoretz Nothing would give me more pleasure! than to meet you 3 gentlemen – huge respect for you all & honored to call you friends!
I have to agree with Jill. When I first joined #usguys, I was on and off Twitter most of the day. These days, that’s just not feasible. I miss many events on the stream. Facebook is more feasible, because it’s designed to be caught a couple of times a day. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE live, real-time discussions with my #usguys. It’s just that IRL is getting a little more intrusive than it used to be.
FB is more compatible with that.
I’m sad. #usguys, I miss you.
@jackinessity Hey Jackie! You should be around more
Saw your post on FB group. Hope alls well!
@jackinessity Miss you too girl! take good care.
I have been involved in usguys since pretty early on, so I had the opportunity to see the evolution. I was also one of those that kept my distance for a few months because of some drama that had gone on in that group a while back. Drama, growing apart, growing together, learning, and so on are all part of life in every single group, family, and organization; because that’s what humans do. I tend to dislike drama so I do what I can to avoid it, so when I stepped away it was because of that, not because I thought the group was lame.
With that said, I tend to not over analyze things like this…I join in if it feels good and I avoid if it feels like crap. Pretty simple thought process. What I like is that I have had some amount of conversation with 99% of the people that have commented on this post…good people. Let’s remember, that anything with human involvement changes, grows, evolves…for better or worse, just part of the game. Focus on the positive and avoid the negative! Love ya J, you rock brother!
@MatthewLiberty With you there. You just gotta go with the flow! =)
Gee, not much of a reaction to this post Josepf! Seems #UsGuys still carries great interest as well is should. As you know, I came to “the party” late and didn’t know or follow any of the so-called spats. I just enjoyed the people. I started my own #DadChat (Margie, how could you do yours at the same time?!…but I am NOT starting a spat because I love you and there’s room for many at the same prime times…there’s another monthly chat that also is at MY time) and I love it. #UsGuys has been and continues to be a place I go to touch base with the many folks I’ve come to know through it and SoMe in general. Meeting so many #UsGuys at Blogworld LA was just plain cool.
So, see you ALL at #DadChat this Thursday – I am the expert SSP (shameless self promoter)…we have our best giveaways yet and a hard-hitting topic PLUS @BrandFlair co-hosting!
Hey brucesallan thanks for stopping by! BTW, Bruce is a PRIME example of #awesomeness on Twitter. He opened up his home to Mila and I when we were out at #BWELA in early November. His graciousness and hospitality are unmatched. And we have a video about his #DadChat mobile which I just may finish editing in time for this Thursday’s #DadChat.
Glad to see you have brandflair helping you hold down the fort. I will be at the dragonsearch Holiday Party on Thursday night and will miss the chat 
Will catch you next week though Bruce and then figure out what to do about that margieclayman ‘s #tweetdiner (sigh)
@Josepfbrandflairdragonsearchmargieclayman Holiday Party and I wasn’t invited? Hey, you all can at least say “hello” while you’re there – especially after the 4th egg-nog!
@BruceSallan@Josepfdragonsearchmargieclayman Eggnog + #DadChat = Goodtimes
This is a great post @Josepf! I have met so many great people through this wonderful tribe, family I cannot count them all. I haven’t been on much lately because I’m in a depression and I tend to withdraw. I also am working very hard to hold home and hearth together because our finances appear to have joined me in this depression. I haven’t wanted to talk about it but here I am since we are all talking and you mentioned me @Josepf as someone you would come to the middle of nowhere to visit. I would love that. So would and @sumnermusolf and @ImMarkBernhardt and @MimiBakerMN and all of us living in this thriving, beautiful, wasteland! I have loved getting to know everyone and miss people who have wandered off. I plan to plunge back in earnest when I am feeling better or force myself too whichever comes first. LOVE YOU ALL!
@libbytalks Reach out if you need to Libby! We are here for you and we LOVE you too.
@JohnFeskorn I’m trying John
@libbytalks@Josepf@sumnermusolf@ImMarkBernhardt@MimiBakerMN I thought I responded but it didn’t post maybe- Libby you reach out ANYTIME. Look at me- I had a moment of overwhelming lonliness and I jumped headlong into the arms of the tribe. Anything I can do for you guys, I will. Without hesitation.
@jackinessity@Josepf@sumnermusolf@ImMarkBernhardt@MimiBakerMN Thanks Jackie! I’m working on the problem. I believe I have the offending med in this case, newly raised blood pressure, identified. And I have calls into doctors. Hopefully I will snap out of this soon!
<3!
@libbytalks@Josepf@sumnermusolf@ImMarkBernhardt@MimiBakerMN The good news is, I’m coming to Minnesota! The bad news is, I’m probably staying at Your house…..I figured I’d pay Sumner a visit too, and just stay the longest with whomever has the best stocked refrigerator. If neither of You have cable, I would appreciate the amenity, as a transient of my stature requires a bit of luxury. Just toss a blanket on the couch, and please make sure the remote control is in clear view. Now on the depression thing, let me say this: “Beans”. And lots of em’. I’d appreciate You executing my diagnosis either, before I get there, or after I’ve left. Just not while I’m there. Unless You’ve subscribed to premium cable channels. In which case, I’ll ask that You move my couch over by the window.
See Ya’ soon!
Oh, and on the blog topic, yeah, I wrecked the place. Sorry about that.
I am here for you Libby.. Always! Praying : ) @libbytalks @Josepf @sumnermusolf @ImMarkBernhardt @MimiBakerMN
I do love the fact that I think I could go anywhere in the world and tweet, “Hey, who is around for lunch, or coffee, or a drink” and there would be people I could meet with in person. Very special and very unusual. I think #UsGuys is part of what made me fall in love with Twitter–the real connections made.
Great post. I’ve enjoyed my time following #usguys. I’ve connected with quality tweeps IRL. I check the stream everyday for laughs, information and to stay connected to a good group. I look forward to the days ahead. #bacon
This group has been good and bad to me. Funny you mention #12Most as what #12Most is now is only because of the #usguys. And it seems now they are going away from #usguys. People love to take advantage of others and those who have talked about monetizing it are to blame.
Love it or hate it, #usguys is what it is. Sure it has changed. People have taken advantage of others. There has been a lot of drama and politics. People have tried to monetize it. #12Most was born in #usguys. But one thing I hate and the only reason I have stopped using the hashtag is the way older members treat the new ones. No one owns the hashtag, but they do show power. Some of them DM each other and gang up on each other. These are the small things that make people walk away.
@Anonymous72 I need to jump in and correct a few statements or assumptions made in your comment – 12 Most was not born in #UsGuys. It may appear that way to an outsider, but it is not a true or accurate statement.
Dan and I had met VERY briefly in #UsGuys. But our friendship, like so many others, was solidified IRL at a breakfast meeting we were both invited to separately by @KathySteele (she has no ideas we knew each other existed). That friendship was very quickly solidified over golf and drinks. And the site was conceived over drinks at Ungeeked in Chicago – hardly an #UsGuys sanctioned event.
To be sure, a fair number of our early writers were and are big personalities within #UsGuys. And the people running it now all are or were integral members of the #UsGuy tribe. But I would venture a guess that approximately 75% of our contributors have no ties to #UsGuys at all.
I’m a little bit flummoxed as to why @Josepf would include #12Most in the title of this post, other than to serve as link bait. What bearing does it have on what is an otherwise interesting post? And one that is stirring up what I perceive as a healthy discussion about the past and future of #UsGuys?
@Sean McGinnis Sean, I’ll reword the intro paragraph a bit more for sake of the record. I had submitted the post to #12most. Margie politely declined it as more suiting to a personal blog vs. the current 12most format. In my best Geraldo Rivera impression (or Robert Downey Jr) I sensationalized “Rejected” to “Banned”. Why I’m on celebbuzz ‘s #Naughtylist.
@Josepfcelebbuzz Even is re-worded I don;t understand why it makes the post anything more or less than what it is. It’s a tactic meant to sensationalize and link bait – purely designed to drive more readers and attention (IMHO). I still love you like a brother from another mother. I’m just puzzled why you would include it. Did you disagree with the Margie’s decision? I suppose we can take that offline if so.
@Anonymous72 Thank you for your comment… Am fine with it being anon as well; that way no one knows who to DM about (haha). I think as danperezfilms said (OMG, I’m agreeing with Dan more and more; one of us should be scared) people are people and just because they’re on twitter don’t expect them to act any differently… He also said, and I quote “Let’s just accept that and appreciate the few good folks we get to call our friends before we die…”
With that said? Thanks for pointing out onerous behavior. Would be interesting to have a Survey Monkey questionnaire on why people “left”.
And, thankfully @SeanMcGinnis jumped in on #12most because I would have said born out of Sobcon
Now, let me go answer Sean’s question…
One of the interesting things about #Usguys (for me) was the the fact that a community was formed around nothing more than a hashtag. I think that deserves a collective gasp! And then we saw, over time, that the same patterns were taking place around this hashtag that might take place in a real live analog world group, namely, Tuckmans 4 stages of group development, Forming, Storming, Norming, and Performing.
Tuckman, after 12 years, added a fifth step – mourning, or adjourning. This could be the conclusion of the group, or it could be a moment of transformation. I’m reminded of the Tarot card deck card illustrated with death. Getting dealt the death card doesn’t mean you’re going to kick the bucket tomorrow – but that you’d be going through a transformation. Death, of course, being the ultimate transformation for our corporeality, but not the only.
Whatever the case, I’ve made some acquaintances, friends, and business partners through the group. The genie can never be put back in the bottle!
This is one of the things that I love about #usguys: you pick up something new like Tuckman’s model, simply by following a discussion. #usguys is one of, if not the most intellectually stimulating communities out there. And it has a heart as well as a brain. @RicDragon
Hey Man—-regarding #2, Champagne was created by accident too—does anyone do a disservice to the region now by calling the brew after the area in which it first originated? Of course that’s only legend and legend doesn’t always equate with reality—-but it is sexier. Let’s let the Founders be sexy. Sexy Cool And Awesome Period
@robertortiz haha Robert! long time no chat
Good to see you, albeit figuratively 
No disrespect to the Fab 5. And I totally respect pprothe Patrick’s many insightful comments in the stream here. I raise a Toast to @TomMoradpour, @realchaseadams @pprothe, galactic and mikulaja For creating something of value. Their conversations drew many others in to the hashtag and the original group grew and grew as everyone simply enjoyed the dialog and interaction!
Whoah. Just came across this – and a few thoughts.
1 – I’m stoked that you miss me the most. #AMCommute with @Sean McGinnis was one of the highlights of my 90 minute commutes before I moved and I blame myself for moving closer to work for its demise. Although, to be honest, it only lasted a couple months and in the final months, there was little response and a lot of “cheers”-ing.
2 – I think that @Josepf is really summarizing what a lot of people have been thinking. Specifically the “early adopters” of #usguys and before we all gang up on him, I think that we’ve got to look at the tribe’s evolution and whether or not it has evolved into a larger version of “what it was” or if it has changed into something completely different (not necessarily better or worse) with brief flashes of “what it was”.
3 – The early adopters (myself and @Josepf included) have likely done a poor job of managing our expectations of what #usguys would become. I can only speak from my personal experience and views but I held #usguys (the hashtag, the tribe, the community, the family, whatever) in incredibly high regard. I held the members of the community in high respect and held what the community created in high respect. For whatever reason (I’m still unsure of what that is) I don’t hold the hashtag in as high a regard as I did before. I think, for me, that it has become a simple hashtag when it was once a tribe/community/family.
I still pop in, I still say hello, I still get some value out of #usguys. I have formed absolutely monumental friendships and business contacts because of it.
Thanks @Josepf for posting.
@peterfromottawa@Sean McGinnis@Josepf According to your third point I would blame the early adopters for what it is now then. If I remember correctly, most of the early adopters left the stream for a few months due to work and other circumstances. When they came back, they wanted the stream the way it WAS. They tried to bend and change it, some thought they were trying to control the stream. Early adopters have to make space for new people as we grow. People used to be more close 6 months ago because the group was small. As we grow, we have to adapt. You can’t expect things to magically go back to the way they were.
I don’t know what made you write this post @Josepf but it was smart. Stirring things up. Au revoir~
@Anonymous72@peterfromottawa@Sean McGinnis@Josepf I would argue that people began to leave for other reasons. I would further argue that many people did not “come back” and try to bend and change the evolution. I don’t think this post just came out of the blue and I think that a lot of people have been thinking of these 12 points for quite some time.
@peterfromottawa@Anonymous72 Hmm, maybe I should work @Nickkellet into here so no one thinks he’s anonymous.
As to why I wrote the post? Many reasons, including the desire to recognize what once was, what might have been, and to acknowledge how things simply are. I would literally not be where I am today without #Usguys…. Association/participation with the Tribe has been one of the best and most memorable things I’ve done.
As I’ve been pulled away with Life, work, & family I’ve also given some time to reflecting on it. I write reaction pieces, want the contrasting points of view, real emotional engagement… Believe it’s healthy. For those who disagree there are plenty of other things out there to read…
I’ve learned a few things from teh various comments… Any of you? 
@Josepf@peterfromottawa@Anonymous72@nickkellet I’m learning a lot, and still have oodles to go! Also have found some folks I need to touch base with.
@peterfromottawa@Sean McGinnis@Josepf As someone who has enjoyed the #usguys stream as an “early adapter” (since around Thanksgiving 2010) I must admit that I too have felt some frustration with the evolution. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy my morning #coffee still or the occasional catching up with the “night shift” – I like both. Having said that, I would agree that the depth of conversation and intellectual exchange is limited. Before I felt like I was stepping into a room of close friends over coffee or beer and having really great conversations. Now, it feels more like a party – a place where we want to be together (there are still great friends) to connect but in more of a superficial way. It doesn’t mean it’s bad either. I know that no matter where I go in the world or at whatever time of day, I’m likely have someone to chat with in the #usguys stream. I’ve had the fortune of meeting so many incredible friends from #usguys – both in the stream and in real life (a few of whom have stayed or visited at my house). I wouldn’t change any of that…but I would love to get more substance back in the stream rather than let it die. Change is not something people typically enjoy – and the metamorphosis of something so organic could not have been prevented, but rather than “wish” for what was – let’s move and work toward creating something we want?
@reneemmartinez I also miss the substance. I have seen #UsGuys morph from an intellectual Cheers bar with Dianes and Frasiers to a party Cheers populated by Norms and Cliffs.
However, with that being said, #UsGuys is a strong community, a great place to hang out
and I feel like I know everyone. The best part is the IRL’s
@reneemmartinez
I also miss the substance. I have seen #UsGuys morph from an intellectual Cheers bar with Dianes and Frasiers to a party Cheers populated by Norms and Cliffs. OK, this is not entirely true – I like the analogy – because I have gotten questions answered by the #UsGuys tribers. There are now off-shoots like #Otable that really delve into the technical aspects.
#UsGuys is a strong community, a great place to hang out and I feel like I know everyone. The best part is the IRL’s
Steven, I can see why you’d use this analogy for the Twitter stream. A lot of the in depth discussion has definitely moved into subtribes (or clans if you will) rather than the main hashtag. But if you look at the various #usguys discussions on FB or G+, I think that you’ll see that the substance is still alive and well. It just moved from Cheers to the library down the street. @spofcher @reneemmartinez
As I read the comments here, I am wondering why some are longing for what #UsGuys was. Nostalgia is a wonderful thing, however you do the tribe and yourself dis-service by not acknowledging what it has become. The real and most AWESOME Power of this tribe has been clearly evident for all who wish to see for 11 days here in Campbell River B.C, Gold River B.C. and throughout the Social Media world.
Here are the big things #UsGuys has accomplished in 11 days:
Helped me reach a HUGE personal goal of raising $1 million for the Campbell River Food Bank. I will NEVER forget #UsGuys friendship in helping me achieve, what is a really big deal for me. I am crying tears of joy as I write this. Thank You! *long pause to compose myself* …….
#UsGuys has helped to provide food for 9,000 family visits to The CRFoodbank.
#UsGuys helped to provide a Turkey dinner for every single family in this community at Christmas.
The #UsGuys loving glow pointed a mirror at my community and then bounced the image around the world at the exact moment we were looking our best. You have no idea how that has affected this community and reminded all of us what REALLY matters and that we are on the correct Path.
How about some of the smaller but no less significant things #UsGuys have done. Barb at Save On Foods, whom some of you know quite well by now, went to the management team and thanked them for the best day EVER on the job (Turkey Tuesday)… Barb has been with Save On Foods for 30 years! I could go on and on and on.
To those of you who shared in this true miracle, you epitomize what I think #UsGuys stands for. To those of you who chose not to, for whatever reason, I am sad for you.
LONG LIVE #UsGuys!
#awesome! just off a #Skype chat with @997dave who say’s he’d not even going to read Sean McGinnis’s post because he could care less about what usguys was, he wants to focus on the awesomeness that it is.
http://312digital.com/social-media-2/what-is-usguys/
And guess what? Anyone who know about my occasional Tweeting on #BuddhaSEO knows that the only thing of permanence is change… SEO changes, technology changes, years change, days change, and hopefully your underwear changes along with it.
The expression was “The King is Dead, long live the King” and merrybubbles once explained what that actually meant…
@Josepf@997davemerrybubbles If You Meet The Buddha On The Road, Kill Him.
@Josepf@997davemerrybubbles Hmmmm. Pretty interesting predictions in that post…. We’ve been talking about nearly all of them here.
@Sean McGinnis Yeah, that was by some bright guy who used to do #UsGuysChat with smsjoe and @ken_rosen , oh wait a minute… you might just know him.
Always good to see you Brother….
@997dave Dave you are so right! What we just went through with the food relief epitomizes what can happen in #usguys and shows the core values and character of the people involved. There are so many examples: No Kid Hungry, supporting people when they suffer loss, the rally ’round me today when I let it spill I’m in a bit of a depressive phase of my bi-polar. You guys gave me better support that my doctor did. Truth is we don’t travel through this world alone and with friends like there are to be found in the #UsGuys tribe we never need to experience that! Thanks @Josepf @MimiBakerMN , @MimiOrtega @MatthewLiberty @JohnFeskorn @LewisPoretz @StephenJ.Caggiano and all of you that inspire me and have goaded me out of the depression. I’m on my way back. Thank you!
@997dave Dave you are so right! What we just went through with the food relief epitomizes what can happen in #usguys and shows the core values and character of the people involved. There are so many examples: No Kid Hungry, supporting people when they suffer loss, the rally ’round me today when I let it spill I’m in a bit of a depressive phase of my bi-polar. You guys gave me better support that my doctor did. Truth is we don’t travel through this world alone and with friends like there are to be found in the #UsGuys tribe we never need to experience that! Thanks @Josepf @MimiBakerMN , @MimiOrtega @MatthewLiberty @JohnFeskorn @LewisPoretz @StephenJ.Caggiano and all of you that inspire me and have goaded me out of the depression. I’m on my way back. Thank you!
@libbytalks@997dave@Josepf@MimiBakerMN@MimiOrtega@MatthewLiberty@JohnFeskorn@LewisPoretz@StephenJ.Caggiano Libby, write anytime when that happens. We have it in common. xoxoxo paula_lee_bright at charter dot net Thank heavens you’re on your way back, but sorry I was un-around. :/
@Almost60Really@997dave@MimiBakerMN@MimiOrtega@JohnFeskorn@LewisPoretz@StephenJ.Caggiano Thanks Paula! I’ll remember. So many offers of help were given I went from being a ball on the couch to being a SHE TIGER ready to call every doc to find the means get well. Usguys offered to take me to lunch, talk on the phone, skype or email day or night. It was just what I needed. My investigation uncovered the OFFENDER- a blood pressure pill that had just been increased that had pushed me into the depression. My favorite response was from a friend on Skype who said Libby, what can we do to get you well? WE NEED YOU AROUND HERE!
I LOVE USGUYS!
Thanks for making us all stop and think @Josepf I will always remember #UsGuys fondly however it develops in the future. I think it was always bound to change as social media changes too and new tools appear such as Google+ We all only have so much time in our day and as is the nature of #UsGuys (especially the early ones) we like to play with new toys too so we spread ourselves thinner, can’t believe I spend as much time on FB as I do!! Having said that there are so many great people still in the stream who I catch up with from time to time (I still prefer Twitter), but there are others that I have missed chatting with as regularly as I used to such as @Grit08 and @Josepf himself and many others. I have met new people too who I value, but I do miss the old crowd when we were all so active this time last year …. I agree about the IRL meetings but sadly I think it will be a long time before I make it to the US or Canada but if you are ever in the UK please let me know….. Thanks for making me reflect….
Nicky, I’ll definitely be looking you up the next time that I’m in the UK. And I suspect that many others would as well. @NickyHirst @Josepf @Grit08 @Josepf
The way #UsGuys was born and snowballed quickly into a living breathing entity, gathering energy and meaningfulness dynamically with every new connection…it was alive! I was sad when I noticed it begin to fragment and decay.
But then I realized that it wasn’t dying, it was dividing and multiplying, giving birth to new entities, new meaning, new connections, new magic.
So it seems to me.
@LittleAnimation You know, your post just solidified something that I’ve been musing about as I read the various responses to @Josepf original post. We’ve been using the term tribe to discuss #usguys and perhaps it was the most appropriate term for the first year of it’s existence. But as you and others have observed, it has morphed or evolved into something else. I’ll throw a wild thought out of left field into the conversation. Mull it over and it might not be as crazy as it sounds at first.
Is #usguys the first artificial intelligence?
* It’s definitely self aware
* I believe that it would pass the Turing Test
* Sure it’s not a machine, but the concept of a hive mind (something like the Borg of Star Trek) comes to mind
* it continues to evolve and defends itself against outside influences that would harm it or rogue internal elements
Just something to throw into the mix
@DeanClevett@LittleAnimation Dean… this is actually a little scary… Imagine the old Psych simulator, forget her name now… Anyway, imagine all the questions we ask of “usguys” — add the #VoXs type functionality or lttlewys idea of having Boris Karloff read her Tweets to her… Imagine “talking” and the Borg of usguys answers back as best it can… Hilarious… You nickkellet this might be your winning idea…
RT @lttlewys: @Josepf It was Vincent Price, Josepf!!! Sheesh!! Or the guy from orig. Twilight Zone!! That would be cool!! #UsGuys // Whatevah Brandie — I was close enough (right Brain Associations #Rock!!!!)
@Josepf @littlewys Rod Serling or Vincent Price as the voice of #usguys would be awesome.
@Josepf Eliza was the Psych simulator. She was fun and advanced for her day.
@spofcher Steven! #thanks, I was so tired that night I couldn’t remember… was thinking “Elijah” and knew that was wrong. Anyway, yes, way fun and most of my relationship skills come from those formative years when I asked her about life’s secrets… hmm, guess that explains a lot… Hope the Siri generation fares bette
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@DeanClevett@LittleAnimation@Josepf Dean, why are you SCARING me??? !
@DeanClevett I don’t feel that #UsGuys could pass the Turing Test (I had to look this up) nor do I feel that it is like the Borg.
#UsGuys is like a bee hive. It is ever-growing and made up of many members coming and going and coming and going…….
I have no feelings towards the “old” #usguys as I have only been be participating since September 2011. I do agree with @997dave that we should embrace what #usguys is today and becoming tomorrow.
To me #usguys has always been a place for constant communication. It’s better than a chat in many ways because it has no structure. #usguys has always seemed to be a place where high level thinkers can contemplate outloud. Its like a perfect bite-sized subset of the home feed, but it includes people I truly admire and respect.
The community as a whole is most important and as far as I can see it’s a healthy one. We have key members who are active constantly, and those may change over time. The ones who want to commit to constantly being there for the community are “rung in” with the tribal bell. Having been “rung in” I felt more open to sharing any ideas with the understanding I wouldn’t be judge (too harshly). I’m made great relationships because of this. Are you with me @Josepf @BruceSallan @ImMarkBernhardt @DixieLil @MatthewLiberty @BrandonEBC @StephenJ.Caggiano @MimiBakerMN ? You’re just a few that I feel I could ask anything.
cont…
…cont:
Spats are a part of any community. It’s too bad some people left because of them, but that kind of negative energy, thinking and action isn’t something I feel we want in #usguys. It a place for open-mindedness, compromise and understanding. As long as the active members are welcoming and continue the legacy of open communication the community can thrive and grow. Anyone who had issue in the past should be welcome back anytime, but understand that a difference in a opinion doesn’t draw a line in the sand.
The attempt to expand to a website seems rational, but unnecessary. It thrives on Twitter, why try to force it somewhere else? I do like the facebook group, and I think it works well as forum where topics can be discussed in more depth over a longer period of time – instead of being lost in the stream.
Good people, good conversation, and an open door. Nothing else is needed.
@MerlinUWardmerlin u ward And what a September. Wish we had spent more time hanging out in IRL in NYC that infamous Friday night. And everyone on this thread get an automatic #beer (or whatevah) from me, but you and I have things to talk about in person.
See, Merlin, life wouldn’t be the same without you in it. And if the stream morphed around to accommodate that then so be it. My former usguys friend sean mcginnis hasn’t died, he simply can be found other places I do not usually look. In fact, November 30th we got into a running DM conversation about some Snag-it issues. I’ll always answer Sean’s call or email or DM… And now the same goes for you and many if not all of the “newbies”.
@MerlinUWard I don’t think anyone really was trying to force it. Being “internetty” people by nature, it just occurred to some that it might be an idea. Tried. Didn’t last. No biggy.
@MerlinUWard so funny; first read that “spats are part of any community,” and I’m thinking those things gentlemen wore over the tops of their shoes in Edwardian times.
#usguys makes me happy. That’s all I can say! I have met amazing,smart people, with great hearts and passion. Not asking for more : ) Can’t wait to see you again > @Josepf.!!! @DixieLil. @libbytalks. @mimibakermn. @sumnermusolf. @merlinuward. @997dave. @MatthewLiberty. @Jeannette Baer. @BrandonEBC. @BruceSallan. @JohnFeskorn. @Milaspage. @NickyHirst. @RicDragon @StephenJ.Caggiano @sumnermusolf. @solete. @xDeepS.
@MimiOrtega@jeannette@RicDragon Can hardly wait to meet you sometime Mimi, positivity and life just oozes out of your pores. And Jeannette we have discussed. Ric I need a job
@libbytalks have jobs; but unfortunately, all here in the delightful upstate New York
How is it out there in Minnesota?
@RicDragon Minnesota’s cool, cold actually. I’m waiting on a job….still waiting and working my own business in the meantime!
Thanks for responding! I think you’re terrific! 
@RicDragon I still need a job, have you thought of expanding your operation? It’s not that I haven’t worked, but nothing sticks and I know I’m better than that. Someone else must know too!
You know…the more I think about it…I think that all this “whatever” over a hashtag is ridiculous. There are soldiers dying overseas for us to argue about insignificant crap? There are homeless, hungry, poverty stricken people that need help but we have issue with a hashtag or whatever this underlying issue is? I left USguys for a while many months back because of the drama, but what I know is that drama exists in SMmanners, bizforum, 12most, and everywhere else…why? Because humans are involved and we are vain, we are greedy, we are selfish….let’s move on folks. Do what YOU want because YOU want to…but hopefully YOU are thinking beyond the tip of your nose. There is a big world out there…there are people that need your help, there are problems to solve…can’t we all just get along? No…no we can’t, and that’s cool too. I’m a happy dude…and I’ll be a happy dude with or without USguys or Twitter…because I adapt, as we all do. I have complete respect for each of you for different reasons…butmy middle name ain’t DRAMA, it is Liberty!
@MatthewLiberty And all this time I thought Liberty was your last name. =) Cheers to what you said. I loved #usguys for what they just did for #CampbellRiver. So yes, good was done here….well there, on Twitter. Good stuff my friend. And being able to celebrate in the new life you guys are waiting for, who could ask for more? *grin*
My full name is Matthew Liberty Browne, go by Matt. Cheers Mimi, thank you. We are so stoked…can’t wait to see the little one!! @MimiBakerMN
@MimiBakerMN@MatthewLiberty Wow, a historic post. Perhaps we’ve all grown up together as a Tribe… or people. Matthew Liberty Browne agreeing with dan perez as well. Ok, are we done with this topic and on to #Pie making now? I got a contest to win
I love ya J, that I know. Just hitting that point of my evening where the opinions flow. I love all the thoughts and opinions in your post and in all the comments…but you know what…my wife and the little person brewing in her belly are 8 trillion times more important than a hashtag. Cheers peeps, I know there’s a way to get over ourselves and enjoy this journey together. @Josepf @MimiBakerMN dan perez
@MatthewLiberty@Josepf@MimiBakerMNdan perez And I didn’t know about the baby! I guess I have stopped spending any real time on Twitter. Maybe I’d best get back… Congrats, my friends! VERY happy for you!
Thank you very much, we’re excited about the little person on it’s way. Makes hashtags seem less important!! @Almost60Really @Josepf @MimiBakerMN dan perez
@MatthewLiberty@Josepf@MimiBakerMNdan perez Matt, I think you should start keeping a list of people who want to know when the baby is born! You know how easy it is to miss a tweet. Think it over. (hint! hint!)
@MatthewLiberty I knew your last name, but had no clue how you’d selected Liberty on your handle. I love it!
Liberty has been the middle name for many in my family starting back in 1776. Good stuff. @Almost60Really
@MatthewLiberty And will it be for the baby, or is it sex-specific historically? (Of course, things do change, as you said!)
Things have been sex specific, but for us we will have Liberty be the middle name of either!
@Almost60Really
@MatthewLiberty@Almost60Really Cool middle name. Is there a story that goes with this? How many have this middle name? And good to see that you are carrying the tradition to the next generation.
Congrats by the way!! Your life will never be the same but you will never regret it.
Basically the first Liberty Browne in my family was in 1776, his first name was Liberty. From there it evolved into a middle name. It has skipped a generation here and there but overall it has remained intact through the family. My dad and brother both have Liberty as their middle name, although my dads dad did not. Through the decades and decades, I’d say there have been roughly 50 in the family with the name, although I could be off a bit.
Thanks, we have waited later in life to have a child, I just turned 35 and my wife turns 40 this month…we are very excited. We’ve had many nieces and nephews and in a previous marriage I raised a step son from 3 years old to about 14…so we have some experience.
Thank you again! @spofcher @Almost60Really
@MatthewLiberty I luv family stories like this.
My wife and I had kids later in life and they keep us young – ages 10 and 13.
@MatthewLiberty I’m sorry, but this is a knee-jerk reaction. Of course dying soldiers and homeless and hungry and etc. are more important than a hash tag. But you can say this about most anything and any type of discussion. The #UsGuys folks have a special bond internally. And externally it has been seen that #UsGuys are not selfish and unfeeling. They will help others who need help.Also, because the group is so large with many personalities, there will be drama. Not because we are greedy and selfish, but because many in the group are very passionate.
I don’t feel it’s knee jerk at all, my initial reaction (first comment on the post) was far “mellower” than this response. I think people need perspective when we start looking at things in certain ways. Why debate over what #USguys is or was? It is something different for everyone, therefore the debate is for? Beyond that, was Josepf link baiting? Is Sean over sensitive? Who cares? So I bring it back to perspective…there are bigger fish to fry than a hashtag and trying to define what it is or was or what it is going to be. Evolution is normal, I get it, but some want to hold on to things, or spend too much time on trying to define something that is not “define-able”. @spofcher
@MatthewLiberty@spofcher I suppose there are always more important things upon which to focus, but clearly from the number of comments on @Josepf ‘s post, the past and future of the #UsGuys stream is of significant interest to a number of people. In the grand scheme it may be minutiae but these are the things that add daily spice to life. We also have more input and application into how this develops as (potentially) active members of an online community, where as with many of the worldwide issues we’re simply a drop in the ocean, so there’s that much-needed element of investment and inffluence in discussions such as this.
On the subject of less in-depth conversations in the stream, I think that we can all choose to either change that by participating more to that end with other #usguys, or simply find other forums such as chats and #Otable to get that fix. If not the former, it’s perfectly understandable to see people drift away, as the factor that made it special for them at one point diminishes.
@Steve Birkett@MatthewLiberty@spofcher@Josepf I must agree with Matthew, as I do with most things he says. I am stunned at the absurdity of this thread. #UsGUys just helped to provide 9,000 family visits to my local foodbank. Why are we not celebrating THAT, instead of lamenting over stupid lost Gap logo discussions from a year ago. Can somebody please give this tribe a headshake!
Hey – I love #usguys – I’ve made some amazing friends and I enjoy that I always feel that I can connect with people who have similar interests no matter where I am. I’ll never forget the excitement and support shared by the #usguys crew when I was in Rwanda last summer – it was wonderful to have the support but also to have someone to share my experience with who genuinely cared. I won’t change how I interact with the stream – I really enjoy being part of it. @spofcher @MatthewLiberty
I agree Renee, and happy that you have your relationship with the USguys stream. I am not close with everyone in the stream, hell, I don’t even have a relationship with my own mother so that’s to be expected…can’t like everyone. But I certainly am very appreciative of the people I have grown close with in this hashtag, people I think will be life long friends. We each have our own way of interacting with the stream and we each get something different out of it. I’d rather analyze why I love Captain Crunch versus a hashtag on Twitter…there is no finite answer to what USguys is, as it is something different to each person. @reneemmartinez @spofcher
Crunchberries. #thatisall @MatthewLiberty @reneemmartinez @spofcher
@MatthewLiberty and your middle name is about to be DAD
LOL…no doubt Joe, honored to join that list my friend!! @SMSJOE
I really should jump into these things from the beginning…..so much more difficult to know where to begin after reading 100′s of sharp-minded comments (something that I feel, in and of itself, reflects positively on all periods of #usguys).
I think what it comes down to are the bonds that have been forged by those tuning into the #usguys frequency, for whatever length of time that may have been. Even the naysayers are extremely good people (you know who you are…and so does Buddy…) with whom I’ve connected in a variety of ways across the social media landscape. Everything swirling around that – conflict, trivialities, expansion, origins, and more – is somewhat sundry to the connections and developing friendships.
Remaining the same is, more often than not, considered stagnation. I’m out more than in the stream recently, but I still see amazing things happening between both longstanding and brand new participants, as Dave so brightly illuminated. It’s not the same as it once was, but that’s hardly surprising and far from a bad thing, given the speed at which things develop online.
If there’s something for you there now or in future, fantastic. If not, I’d wager that a vast majority of those that have come into contact with #usguys have taken something positive from it, most often in the form or a new friend or friends. I’m happy and proud to be acquainted with all those of you that fall into that category for me.
Now i am more familiar with this post and I thank you for letting us know about this then…
I just wrote an #usguys timeline. Looking for a place to post it.
– @sandyhubbard
@sandyhubbard I would love to see the #usguys timeline.
@sandyhubbard let’s talk about it! good to see you Sandy, I’ve missed you!
Sandy sandyhubbard will soon publish her timeline her on this blog as a followup – coda? to this post. Knowing Sandy; it ill be comprehensive and insightful. Can’t wait.
myagenda spofcher
Ok, this thing is 8 pages long already. Maybe I was a bit ambitious to name it “Timeline.” #usguys have done a lot in 14 months!
hey sandyhubbard just using you as an example
Josepf – It took me some time to digest your post and gather my feelings and thoughts. While this is not the first time these questions have arisen, obviously you have written a powerful blog about #UsGuys that has resonated with a lot of folks. (136 comments and climbing) You have un-earthed many feelings and it is very interesting to see who has responded along with who hasn’t.
#UsGuys is a wonderful place for a lot of us to hang out in. This group is very important for me because it provided a sense of the Twitterverse and of the power of a tweet – I did not feel like I was just tweeting into a black hole. #UsGuys provides a sanctuary where like-minded people can congregate. I have met so many wonderful folks here. It is very interesting that many personalities come through with only 140 characters. I have become friends with people globally, nationally and locally. And wherever I go, I know that I could find other #UsGuys to meet up with and feel entirely comfortable.
Yes, #UsGuys has changed, but what hasn’t? The group is made up of a lot of smart, type A people with strong passions. Of course we won’t agree on everything, but this is what makes the group so vibrant. I have been a member for about 11 months and there have been many changes in #UsGuys directions and active members. #UsGuys is like the Blob. It is an ever-changing, shifting, morphing, growing shape-shifter. I would not want it any other way. I have seen many folks go on and on how great #UsGuys is, only never to be seen a month later. However, there are many that remain in this community.
The group is a study in modern tribes, because it is growing so fast. It is like watching a movie in fast forward.
My answer to most of your 12(Most) points is:
- Things change
- Things happen
Can’t stop it..
With so many SoMe platforms to choose from it is hard keeping “them down on the farm.” Most of the #UsGuys are early adaptors and will try new things such as Google+. However, I still like Twitter due to the immediacy and interaction.
#UsGuyschat should not go away. Both @Ken_Rosen and @SMSjoe have done a wonderful job. It is a difficult challenge to moderate an engaging weekly tweetchat. However, the shininess has worn off of Tweetchats and many have stopped participating. Maybe #UsGuyschat should be a monthly event.
In conclusion (whew!) I am very happy to be included in the #UsGuys family.
@spofcher@ken_rosen@SMSJOE Steven, brief “For the record” reply. (I actually called Steven on the phone as I was driving to Kingston NY cause otherwise lttlewys would holler at me for Tweeting and driving, except I wasn’t Tweeting I was reading, oh< I mean glancing, I mean realizing telepathetically
that Steve made a great post.
To everyone who’s replied. Appreciate the dialog… Have a great Holiday Season and see you in the stream. BTW, is anyone going to organize an Ugly Sweater Contest? realchaseadams excelled at providing us with such “glue”…
#Usguys is like the Occupy Wall Street #OWS movement in that it is united by a hashtag bringing together members in conversation, promoting on-line information and directing members to real-life events. Like all horozontally based groups where there is no leader or infrastructure, the dynamism of the group has its ebbs and flows. Sometimes, information is hopping and creativity is vibrant, sometimes its more of a tired connection- a “low five as opposed to a high five”. Ultimately, this is to be expected and welcomed as we all need downtime to regroup for the next challenge. What keeps a movement like #OWS going is not so much the occupations in the city parks but the exchange of ideas on line that keeps members connected. The over-arching mission of #OWS, the dissastifaction with the status quo, unites the “brand”. Perhaps #UsGuys needs to find a mission, a non-profit cause that serves as a constructive back-drop to the commradery so when the inevitable “down time” occurs, energy can still be engaged in fundraising, promoting and in short putting to good use all the amazing marketing, promotion, advertising and social talent evident in the #UsGuys network. If you look at the history of a fellowship organization, like Rotary International, the professional good-will aspect of the group really found its footing when they adopted their individual talents to helping others. (Interesting tidbit: the first project the original 4 members of Rotary dedicated themselves to was the creation of the first public men’s urinal in Chicago). From that WC, grew an organization of millions that has just about eradicated polio from the face of the earth. Maybe there should be a conference, virtual or IRL, where #UsGuys can gather and brainstorm a cause to promote using their amazing talents and formidable social energy. Then #UsGuys would have a compelling purpose that will override transient disappointments and grievances and allow the individual lights of its members to shine both online and off!
@jendragon@danperez to support VACC Camp or around @997dave to support the foodbank in Campbell River or helped milaspage spread the good word about getting funding for good causes from her company. Look at how members are helping each other find jobs and in other ways that are awesome but anonymous.
I think that we have compelling purposes, but that there isn’t ONE big overriding purpose. And perhaps that’s a good thing. Many of the service organizations like Rotary, the Lions, Kinsmen, etc, are seeing declining involvement. Maybe, #usguys is what future service organizations will look like: no dues, no uniform or weekly / monthly IRL meeting to discuss business; but instead geographically and culturally diverse people banding together in cyberspace to do good in IRL and having conversations throughout the day and week.
@DeanClevett@jendragon@997davemilaspage In the parlance of my beloved UK footy forums: “Nail – Head”, Dean. Love that last summary.
@jendragon For some reason, Livefyre cut off the first part of my response, so here it is.
Perhaps #usguys already has a compelling purpose, or rather, a number of compelling purposes. Look at how we rallied round (the rest is in my original reply).
Plain and simple,I love everyone in the tribe and I continue to make great connections and good friends through it. It is the first place I go for my #coffee in the morning and the afternoon conversation helps me get through the day. I have been in the #usguys since February and has seen it evolve but kind of the same way a family does. New people come in and are instantly accepted, old members come back, and good conversation is always had.
@KarltonUtter brother! you coming to Montreal in May? We may need a Bus from NYC
@KarltonUtter I remember #ringingthebell for you – it was right after I learned what that was all about! Morning #coffee is also my favorite way to greet the day!
Josepf – it has taken me a while to comment here and I’m sorry for the delay. However, there are some very interesting comments driven by your post and first and foremost I acknowledge you for your continued contributions to the SoMe community and your willingness to always say it as you see it.
Now, I’ll comment from the place you acknowledged for me as one of the early participants in #usguys. I had lost track of the original and as many of your other commenters underline, I have followed and participated in usguys and various iterations. So, without responding to each point in sequence, here are some comments:
Although it may still be a tribe – or not, that issue has never been in my consciousness – in fact, I never heard it referred to with that trendy term until this post. I always looked at all usguys gatherings (online and IRL) as a place to meet and/or learn from valuable people and occasionally to be able to give something back.
I currently participate in and get value from:
(a) The weekly #usguyschat run by @SMSJoe and @Ken_Rosen
(b) Multiple Usguys IRL meet-ups – in fact you and I met in person for the first time at one of those events. At both events that I attended I also met several online friends there IRL and also met some people for the first time who later became online friends.
(c) The usguys daily published by @myagenda (Jeannette Baer);
(d) #usguys. As a dependable location for valuable info, I constantly monitor #usguys and add the hash tag to a number of my twitter posts so I can share back with the people who have given me so many valuable links and opinions
As to people moving on, that’s not bad – at all. I’ve interacted with some of these people (who by then were “old friends” reappearing in a new environment) in other online locations (you were one of those too) and I’ve constantly met new people who drop in at #usguyschat
Do I miss people who’ve moved on? Sure, a few with whom I connected I can reach out to directly so, once met, they’re never really “gone” unless…
With regards to all usguys segments of the SoMe universe, I hope your post brings more and more new people and causes others to consider popping in from time to time. After all, time is very precious and I don’t get to usguys as often as I’d like so I’m also part of the constant change.
– JOSEPH
I think we have to be aware of this…
Great post Josepf. #usguys taught me the power of Twitter – both positive and negative. I remember asking a tech question and getting some of the best answers of anywhere on the web , and in only 140 characters. I enjoyed (and still do) morning #coffee –> c[_] c[_]. I “met” @PaulBiedermann and @PegFitzpatrick and became a member of the @12most tribe. I play #Words with @xDeepS and he usually wins. But I also saw some fights and some of them were hurtful – and the spammers got a bit out of control as well.
@MorberMarketing @PaulBiedermann @PegFitzpatrickxdeeps Jeannine, thanks for the comments. Will be great to see you next week in Buffalo! The funny thing about #UsGuys is that despite many of us feeling it’s past it’s hey day — there is and I believe always will be an intrinsic power to it. We’ve been part of something special. And part of what I wanted to do with this post was re-kindle that. We always have an opportunity to wake up today and start anew.
Funny how this post keeps surfacing and resonating.
#UsGuys would make a great SoMe / Twitter case study.
@spofcher Is it safe to assume lots of #UsGuys know the Gartner Hype Cycle? (“Technology Trigger,” “Peak of Inflated Expectations,” “Trough of Disillusionment,” “Slope of Enlightenment,” and “Plateau of Productivity”).
Would be amusing to see someone map a variety of key events to this cycle–perhaps in a group project. I suspect the mapping would be uncanny.
Ken
@ken_rosen I never heard of the Gartner Hype Cycle. Where is the best place to get more information?
Wondering though:
Google+ = Technology Trigger because many people are still waiting to see what happens?
Pinerest = Peak of Inflated Expectations because it is all the rage and so many people are participating?
@spofcher As often true, Wikipedia does the nicest overview with a useful graphic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hype_cycle.
You can use the Hype Cycle *either* to trace one technology through it’s life or to map the current state of a bunch of technologies.
In this case, I suspect Twitter and the rise of hashtags was the Technology Trigger. The assertions #UsGuys would constitute a new paradigm in global, interest-based communities (heck, with discussion of monetization at one point) was the Peak of Inflated Expectations. The Trough of Disillusionment came with the realization that a hashtag wasn’t actually going to revolutionize our business relationships–and in fact would bring some unfortunate baggage. The question is….are we still on the Slope of Enlightenment to realizing ways in which #UsGuys can offer value…and still on our way to some higher ultimate Plateau of Productivity? Or are we already as mutually valuable to each other as the “tribe” will ever go?
Ken