Are you a Google+ shark?
(CBS) - If you're one of the over 25 million users on Google+, you've probably noticed the lack of activity on the site. That's normal. Facebook wasn't fun until everyone's friends signed up.
Our go-to cure for Google+ boredom is to follow Tom Anderson, a.k.a. MySpace Tom. (Insert animated gifs and jokes about Facebook here.)
Seriously though, Anderson has great insight about Google's new social network. But, that's not why we love him. And no, it's not because he was our first and most loyal friend on MySpace either.
We believe that a new phrase has just entered into the social media lexicon and we can thank Tom for his part in spreading the word.
On August 4, Australian illustrator Scott Hampson posted a web comic that made a joke about "Google+ sharks," suggesting that everyone is just reposting animated gifs from tech writer Robert Scoble, tech guru Guy Kawasaki and Anderson.
Hampson makes a good point. Google + has gained over 25 million users in just one month, but people are mostly reposting jokes, videos and animated gifs. Instead of the vacation pictures and slightly inappropriate rants we see on Facebook, Google+ users are using the site more like an extension to their public profile - and a place where they demonstrate their "cool factor." (In our opinion, this is where the social network outshines the competition.)
"IMHO this is not FB and the way it's used is much different. If you want it more like [Facebook] only circle friends and family." said James Fierce, one of Anderson's followers.
Another phrase emerged from Anderson's comment section: "reshark." Paulo Sousa, who coined the term, said, "Now, if resharing anything that you post makes me a "G+ Shark", Well... I'm quite ok with it. Now excuse me while I reshark... sorry, reshare this post of yours!"
Complete coverage of Google+ on Tech Talk
The comments came pouring in and Anderson revisited to the post to weigh in on the topic: "I actually don't post something unless I think its worth a ton of reshares. If I want to share something I think less people would be interested in, I use Twitter."
Even Scoble resharked Anderson's post. Sort of proves the point, correct?
It's got all the makings of a good Internet meme. Web comic - check. Animal - check. Uh, is there anything else?
