The kids are using TicTok too which is a cybersecurity and national security nightmare. My husband is a cybersecurity guru and he and his cohort have been screaming for years about the problems of TicTok. It's not just who owns it - it's the datamining it does.
There has to be a way to use video without participating in the "you're not human anymore, you're just data to be harvested" horror.
I've never created a TikTok account, I suppose for a couple of reasons. Partly because I've heard the concerns you mention here. Secondly because short form video doesn't hold an attraction for me. (I do enjoy long form.)
I presume that some platforms must be more ethically operated than others, but honestly don't know. But, I do know that we have Masons who do work like what your husband does, I imagine that a Lodge would be wise to discuss any plans to move forward with something like this with someone who does this work first.
While THAT platform is certainly one of the worst offenders of these activities, it is a ubiquitous model throughout all digital media, or at least anything spawned in the past 20 years. One rule I've worked hard to instill in my adult family members is, if it's free, you're likely the product (I didn't coin this term, and long forgot who did).
What that means is, any free, or freemium, platform is harvesting data, barely scrubbing your identifiable information from it, then selling it to the highest bidder in massive repositories. That data then gets sold again, and again, ad infinitum until we get to today's point of having a conversation within earshot of a smart device (cell phone, smart speakers, smart TVs, heck, even smart fridges) and the next time you're scrolling through some website you're getting ads for whatever item or service your conversation mentioned.
That's where many Millennials my age have completely turned our backs on social media entirely. We came to the resolve that we're not missing anything, these platforms are toxic, and that our life experiences have shown they can actually degrade the quality of in-person relationships, all the while also being a massive vulnerability to our privacy. It became an easy trade-off for losing the opportunity to potentially make an online connection.
In terms of organizational presence, though, I believe there are ways to leverage these platforms without exposing everyone to potential operational security issues -- except on that one platform. That platform's sole purpose is brain rot.
I am not sure how to go about positioning lodged to utilize videos. But what I do know is, if they use video to merely "sell" their lodge's features, it will fall as flat as their FB posts. The only videos that work are posts that educate or entertain-hopefuly both.
It’s not about selling a Lodges features per-se, but more about sharing its vision, and the desire to meet the obligations of the future.
Some Lodges are about music and the arts, others are about building community, while others are about philosophical and esoteric research. The list of unique approaches to Masonry in our Lodges is an endless mosaic that should be celebrated. All have their unique appeal and approaches to Masonry. All of which should lean into that and promote their interests.
By sharing what we are each about on platforms that have the greatest visibility, we can benefit from those who share those interests. Welcoming prospects who share our interests into our Lodges enabling us to build on what already makes us great.
We just have to promote a clear vision and be open about what are interests and focuses are.
I imagine you are right. I think that we can do a lot of things that could entertain and or educate.
Some Lodges do educational discussions in a round robin style. Where they pick some philosophical topic and go around talking about it. I think that something like that, in long form, could pick up viewers.
My Lodge building was built specifically for the conferring of York Rite Degrees, and has cool features because of that. Years ago we invited the OES to a gathering whereby a 'guide' took them all through the place, explaining the features and symbolism that is built into the building. Feedback after that event was extremely positive, because these ladies had been sitting in the building for years, even decades, looking at the symbolism, but never understanding that it was anything more than decorative motifs. I imagine a video 'tour' like that would draw a viewership as well.
I have much less idea about what might be entertaining.
I am very sorry to learn this. I know that a lot of people thought that his marketing was completely over the top and braggadocious, but I always greatly enjoyed it. He had a great turn of phrase, and I thought it was easy to see that he was using an over the top style for humor.
Ultimately I think that the T3 is probably the finest warm weather hat ever made by man. I bought one in Victoria, British Columbia in the summer of 2001. It has been with me on every vacation I've taken since, and is worn more days than not each summer. That thing is still in superb condition, and looks better with all the wear. An occasional washing is all it needs.
The quality did fall fairly significantly after he sold the company, but I imagine that those classic Tilley's that are still made in Canada, including the T3 are still capable of surviving over the long haul.
It’s like a catch-22. We’re trying to capture the interest of a younger age group through social mediums and websites that very few of us “geriatrics” know very much about let alone know anything about setting up.
My hunch is that the only reasonable way of solving it is to just put one or two of our really young members in charge of it. A couple of guys who grew up online from a young age.
And then giving them 100% free reign. I think if we 'geriatrics' try to control it, it will fail. But, it can sometimes be awfully hard for those long in the Craft to hand things over to those new to the Craft without wanting to look over their shoulders.
MWB Bailey, thank you for the shoutout. I’d like to add a caveat to the shift to the digital realm.
Each of these platforms is a tool. Facebook, X, YouTube, or “insert platform here” all have their place in the tool bag. We just need to use them effectively and collaboratively. Just like there is a reason we still have faxes, phones, and email the same applies to media platforms.
If we use social media platforms to connect people with our video content, it becomes more effective. If we crosspost in multiple locations, we amplify our reach. If we backlink these sources to our websites, we can direct people to Brethren who can show them how to meet our Brethren, and visit our Lodges.
We personally pursue balance of mind, body, and spirit in our personal journeys. Think of it this as Digital Alchemy, one component is not enough. We must have websites, social platforms, and media content in balance.
The biggest hurdle is getting visibility, we should do our best to like, share, or comment on our Brethren’s platforms to help them rise into the light, and become visible to those audiences. Rising tides raise all vessels.
Apologies for the multiple edits, my motor skills are a bit rough today, and I kept hitting the post button when attempting to draft my comment on my phone.
>>>The biggest hurdle is getting visibility, we should do our best to like, share, or comment >>>on our Brethren’s platforms to help them rise into the light, and become visible to those >>>audiences. Rising tides raise all vessels.
I do think that this is really important, but very often overlooked by almost everyone.
Just using Substack as an example (the same would apply to lots of different platforms.) As far as I've ever been able to see, I was the first Mason writing about Freemasonry here on Substack. (There were a handful of other Masonic accounts already created when I arrived, but none were active that I ever saw.)
But, since my arrival, lots of other Masons have decided to write about Masonry here. Some have done so for a time, others have remained with it.
Whenever I encounter posts here from other Masons, I try to either 'Restack' them, post them in 'Chat,' or Share them on my Facebook account.
Why?
Because as you say, that is the only way Freemasonry can gain visibility and traction here. Also, because as you say, a rising tide lifts all boats.
But, unfortunately, most don't realize how important these 'Restacks' here on Substack are, or the 'Shares' on Facebook, or whatever similar process exists on whatever platform. So there are actually very few of them in Masonic spaces.
You hit on something that hearkens back to the glory days of independent blogs -- syndication and backlinking was absolutely critical for a blog to be successful. This led to some interesting manipulation techniques, though, and search engines refined their algorithms to de-rank sites that were performing what's referred to as "black hat SEO" now.
Couple that with ever evolving Content Management Systems, and platforms like Substack, Medium, Ghost, and others rose to the occasion to centralize much of that content which, in turn, has further cemented this idea of free content becoming a tool for marketing companies to further refine their ad networks specifically for each individual. Throw in this new era of AI, and... I'll get off my soapbox before scaring everyone off the internet for good.
What Bro. Chad is getting at does hint at what you are also saying -- when there are no syndicates to shed light on content, we do ourselves a disservice to not become our own by way of catering content to each platform, creating our own link networks, whereby seekers may find whatever messaging we're putting out there in their preferred format of consumption. Some like video, some like long-form content, some want bite sized quips, and some might just want a place to idle passively.
Thank you for this outstanding subject of concerns. It seems to me and it always has that the best information is the information sought out and Freemasonry always has had the learning processes and tools to continue to be interesting and active in members lives using all these social medias isn’t a bad thing it’s a thing and for us that sometimes they’re trying to see how a phone even turns on the technology does have his challenges, but it’s up to us the ones that care to keep trying to reach people with good advice, strong advice, information that is important and allow history to repeat itself in a good way. I’m going to keep trying as I hope all my brothers and sisters continue to use what tools we have been blessed with.
The kids are using TicTok too which is a cybersecurity and national security nightmare. My husband is a cybersecurity guru and he and his cohort have been screaming for years about the problems of TicTok. It's not just who owns it - it's the datamining it does.
There has to be a way to use video without participating in the "you're not human anymore, you're just data to be harvested" horror.
I've never created a TikTok account, I suppose for a couple of reasons. Partly because I've heard the concerns you mention here. Secondly because short form video doesn't hold an attraction for me. (I do enjoy long form.)
I presume that some platforms must be more ethically operated than others, but honestly don't know. But, I do know that we have Masons who do work like what your husband does, I imagine that a Lodge would be wise to discuss any plans to move forward with something like this with someone who does this work first.
While THAT platform is certainly one of the worst offenders of these activities, it is a ubiquitous model throughout all digital media, or at least anything spawned in the past 20 years. One rule I've worked hard to instill in my adult family members is, if it's free, you're likely the product (I didn't coin this term, and long forgot who did).
What that means is, any free, or freemium, platform is harvesting data, barely scrubbing your identifiable information from it, then selling it to the highest bidder in massive repositories. That data then gets sold again, and again, ad infinitum until we get to today's point of having a conversation within earshot of a smart device (cell phone, smart speakers, smart TVs, heck, even smart fridges) and the next time you're scrolling through some website you're getting ads for whatever item or service your conversation mentioned.
That's where many Millennials my age have completely turned our backs on social media entirely. We came to the resolve that we're not missing anything, these platforms are toxic, and that our life experiences have shown they can actually degrade the quality of in-person relationships, all the while also being a massive vulnerability to our privacy. It became an easy trade-off for losing the opportunity to potentially make an online connection.
In terms of organizational presence, though, I believe there are ways to leverage these platforms without exposing everyone to potential operational security issues -- except on that one platform. That platform's sole purpose is brain rot.
I am not sure how to go about positioning lodged to utilize videos. But what I do know is, if they use video to merely "sell" their lodge's features, it will fall as flat as their FB posts. The only videos that work are posts that educate or entertain-hopefuly both.
It’s not about selling a Lodges features per-se, but more about sharing its vision, and the desire to meet the obligations of the future.
Some Lodges are about music and the arts, others are about building community, while others are about philosophical and esoteric research. The list of unique approaches to Masonry in our Lodges is an endless mosaic that should be celebrated. All have their unique appeal and approaches to Masonry. All of which should lean into that and promote their interests.
By sharing what we are each about on platforms that have the greatest visibility, we can benefit from those who share those interests. Welcoming prospects who share our interests into our Lodges enabling us to build on what already makes us great.
We just have to promote a clear vision and be open about what are interests and focuses are.
I imagine you are right. I think that we can do a lot of things that could entertain and or educate.
Some Lodges do educational discussions in a round robin style. Where they pick some philosophical topic and go around talking about it. I think that something like that, in long form, could pick up viewers.
My Lodge building was built specifically for the conferring of York Rite Degrees, and has cool features because of that. Years ago we invited the OES to a gathering whereby a 'guide' took them all through the place, explaining the features and symbolism that is built into the building. Feedback after that event was extremely positive, because these ladies had been sitting in the building for years, even decades, looking at the symbolism, but never understanding that it was anything more than decorative motifs. I imagine a video 'tour' like that would draw a viewership as well.
I have much less idea about what might be entertaining.
Mr Tilly died a couple of weeks ago... RIP! (I own a Tilly hat)
Tilley.
After reading this, I couldn't help but Google it. I found this touching:
https://www.muskokaregion.com/news/through-her-eyes-remembering-the-life-of-muskoka-and-business-legend-alex-tilley/article_7034c857-8803-5733-a997-a831f0d015fb.html
I am very sorry to learn this. I know that a lot of people thought that his marketing was completely over the top and braggadocious, but I always greatly enjoyed it. He had a great turn of phrase, and I thought it was easy to see that he was using an over the top style for humor.
Ultimately I think that the T3 is probably the finest warm weather hat ever made by man. I bought one in Victoria, British Columbia in the summer of 2001. It has been with me on every vacation I've taken since, and is worn more days than not each summer. That thing is still in superb condition, and looks better with all the wear. An occasional washing is all it needs.
The quality did fall fairly significantly after he sold the company, but I imagine that those classic Tilley's that are still made in Canada, including the T3 are still capable of surviving over the long haul.
It’s like a catch-22. We’re trying to capture the interest of a younger age group through social mediums and websites that very few of us “geriatrics” know very much about let alone know anything about setting up.
Yep, that's the problem exactly.
My hunch is that the only reasonable way of solving it is to just put one or two of our really young members in charge of it. A couple of guys who grew up online from a young age.
And then giving them 100% free reign. I think if we 'geriatrics' try to control it, it will fail. But, it can sometimes be awfully hard for those long in the Craft to hand things over to those new to the Craft without wanting to look over their shoulders.
MWB Bailey, thank you for the shoutout. I’d like to add a caveat to the shift to the digital realm.
Each of these platforms is a tool. Facebook, X, YouTube, or “insert platform here” all have their place in the tool bag. We just need to use them effectively and collaboratively. Just like there is a reason we still have faxes, phones, and email the same applies to media platforms.
If we use social media platforms to connect people with our video content, it becomes more effective. If we crosspost in multiple locations, we amplify our reach. If we backlink these sources to our websites, we can direct people to Brethren who can show them how to meet our Brethren, and visit our Lodges.
We personally pursue balance of mind, body, and spirit in our personal journeys. Think of it this as Digital Alchemy, one component is not enough. We must have websites, social platforms, and media content in balance.
The biggest hurdle is getting visibility, we should do our best to like, share, or comment on our Brethren’s platforms to help them rise into the light, and become visible to those audiences. Rising tides raise all vessels.
Apologies for the multiple edits, my motor skills are a bit rough today, and I kept hitting the post button when attempting to draft my comment on my phone.
>>>The biggest hurdle is getting visibility, we should do our best to like, share, or comment >>>on our Brethren’s platforms to help them rise into the light, and become visible to those >>>audiences. Rising tides raise all vessels.
I do think that this is really important, but very often overlooked by almost everyone.
Just using Substack as an example (the same would apply to lots of different platforms.) As far as I've ever been able to see, I was the first Mason writing about Freemasonry here on Substack. (There were a handful of other Masonic accounts already created when I arrived, but none were active that I ever saw.)
But, since my arrival, lots of other Masons have decided to write about Masonry here. Some have done so for a time, others have remained with it.
Whenever I encounter posts here from other Masons, I try to either 'Restack' them, post them in 'Chat,' or Share them on my Facebook account.
Why?
Because as you say, that is the only way Freemasonry can gain visibility and traction here. Also, because as you say, a rising tide lifts all boats.
But, unfortunately, most don't realize how important these 'Restacks' here on Substack are, or the 'Shares' on Facebook, or whatever similar process exists on whatever platform. So there are actually very few of them in Masonic spaces.
You hit on something that hearkens back to the glory days of independent blogs -- syndication and backlinking was absolutely critical for a blog to be successful. This led to some interesting manipulation techniques, though, and search engines refined their algorithms to de-rank sites that were performing what's referred to as "black hat SEO" now.
Couple that with ever evolving Content Management Systems, and platforms like Substack, Medium, Ghost, and others rose to the occasion to centralize much of that content which, in turn, has further cemented this idea of free content becoming a tool for marketing companies to further refine their ad networks specifically for each individual. Throw in this new era of AI, and... I'll get off my soapbox before scaring everyone off the internet for good.
What Bro. Chad is getting at does hint at what you are also saying -- when there are no syndicates to shed light on content, we do ourselves a disservice to not become our own by way of catering content to each platform, creating our own link networks, whereby seekers may find whatever messaging we're putting out there in their preferred format of consumption. Some like video, some like long-form content, some want bite sized quips, and some might just want a place to idle passively.
Thank you for this outstanding subject of concerns. It seems to me and it always has that the best information is the information sought out and Freemasonry always has had the learning processes and tools to continue to be interesting and active in members lives using all these social medias isn’t a bad thing it’s a thing and for us that sometimes they’re trying to see how a phone even turns on the technology does have his challenges, but it’s up to us the ones that care to keep trying to reach people with good advice, strong advice, information that is important and allow history to repeat itself in a good way. I’m going to keep trying as I hope all my brothers and sisters continue to use what tools we have been blessed with.