The “Buzz” in 2013, Part 2

Here is the second part of my earlier piece about the silly “buzzwords” that are supposed to be big in 2013.  I’m still referring to Mashable’s list. Don’t get me wrong, I like Mashable and use them a lot, but some of these are just silly. Here are the last six:

1. Return on involvement — A brand that “gets involved with their community will garner better return on their investment by getting involved hosting fundraisers, partnering with schools and giving the local residents a gathering spot.” If this term becomes mainstream, it will only be because social media made it so easy for companies to show off.  There’s nothing consumers like to see companies doing on social more than giving back to the community.  As far as content goes, community involvement is gold. People eat that stuff up and social is a great way to showcase to the world that you care .

2. Inventreprenuers — “An entrepreneur-inventor hybrid that markets and/or manufactures their own creation.” Historically, the mad scientists and evil geniuses behind some of the world’s greatest inventions would not even know where to start when trying to market their product to the public. Again, social media to the rescue. How simple it is to create a Facebook product page and ask your friends to like and share it or even run a Facebook ad promoting your grand new invention. It’s equally simple to create a YouTube Channel demonstrating how your amazing product will titillate the senses. Or start a WordPress blog and give your product it’s own website in under an hour. With regards to manufacturing, isn’t that why they are building those 3-D printers? In the future, anyone with an idea and ambition will be able to run a products-based corporation in their studio apartment.

Look mommy, I can do social!

3. Twinternship — “An internship where the student’s mission is to promote the company and its brands using social media such as Twitter and Facebook.” This is stupid. These are called Social Media Marketing Internships to us normal people. I don’t think any student is going to go around boasting about their “Twinternship”.

4. Wantrepreneur — Someone who hasn’t “taken all the steps necessary to take the leap” into entrepreneurship. Also stupid. Someone who wants to start their own business but is too lazy or scared to do it? I”m pretty sure these are already called cowards.

5. Minergy — Someone who uses “minimal energy to get the task accomplished.” This is a confusing one. Don’t we naturally want to accomplish things in the easiest way possible? Unless you’re exercising or deliberately trying to expend energy I think most people prefer this tactic in doing just about anything. When I researched this, I got something referring to a toxic waste corporation so we’ll move on.

6. Tri-ti-tasking — “Doing three things at once.” I wonder what they mean by this. I can breathe, blink, and type at the same time but I wouldn’t expect any medals for it. They must be referring to something more impressive like singing, juggling, and dancing simultaneously. That’s something I would like to see. But I would still just call it triple-tasking if anything.