Some globally respected photographers and critics think Instagram destroys the integrity of quality images. Others feel the rise of Instagram pollutes traditional social network streams. Critics decry the mobile photo network because it filters most images with a vintage Poloroid look, the resulting widespread proliferation of Instaphotos across social networks, and/or the additional doctoring that occurs through a variety of apps like Snapseed and Camera+. Overall, critics feel that consumer access to cheap imaging technologies makes the general state of photography stale, repetitive, and watered down. Geoff Livingston on Google+

Jimi Hendrix Image by jbhthescots Music biz marketer Corey Biggs interviewed me five times for the book to help artists brand and market themselves. Based on those interviews, I have accumulated several branded experience marketing tips. While I have simply protested the personal brand movement in the past, it’s better to offer useful guidance to individuals. This is particularly true for artists and writers who often have no choice but to market creative products and ideas under their names. Geoff Livingston on Google+

It’s funny how people want LinkedIn to become yet another social network to hang out with their buddies. Ironic, because LinkedIn dubs itself “the world’s largest professional network.” LinkedIn means business networking and conversations to me. The network itself offers about as much excitement as a stale piece of Wonder Bread. Now that Twitter decoupled its stream from LinkedIn, things have become even more boring. Geoff Livingston on Google+

In the era of niche social networks we are left with many choices for tools and conversations. A recent discussion on Ken Mueller’s blog about the creep factor online caused me to reflect on parsing social networks for professional success and personal enjoyment. Geoff Livingston on Google+

Facebook Camera has branding issues The successful release of the Facebook Camera app two weeks ago marked the second major application launch by the social network focused on a singular feature. Joining Messenger, Camera allows users to enjoy functionality without the baggage of Facebook’s leviathan social networks as experienced through the iPhone, iPad, Android and mobile web versions. For the past few years, Facebook dominated the social network marketplace by absorbing every feature from all of its competitor. In doing so, it became the McDonalds of social networks. However, with mobile revolution, tactile input changes the way we interact online, and Facebook’s girth makes it unwieldy for tablets and smartphones in spite of experience-controlled applications. At every corner now, there …

You probably thought my Instagram post would be about the evils of Facebook, but instead I wrote a post with Jennifer Leggio on Forbes about how to survive a tech bubble. No matter what impact the Instagram deal has on my personal social media (and even on the fledgling network), what is becoming clear is a return to dangerous financial valuations for venture-backed tech start-ups. Paying $1 billion dollars for a 12-person company with zero in-bound revenue makes absolutely no sense. Even worse, the acquirer Facebook is a company that expects a $100 billion IPO on $1 billion a year of net revenue. It’s clear we are in the midst of another tech bubble. That’s why Jenn and I wrote …