Susan 馃悵 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

5 years ago 路 2 min. reading time 路 0 路

Blogging
>
Susan 馃悵 Rooks, blog
>
Thursday Thoughts: What Are the Odds?

Thursday Thoughts: What Are the Odds?

da8d3417.jpgI think we all saw the amazing result of the FanDuel Sportsbook's error in posting the odds on a bet a few weeks ago -- and then having several bettors actually jump on it and place bets that paid off HUGE! Not immediately, but in the end, because FanDuel did the right thing, these few bettors won a really great payout, the top one for a guy who placed a $110 bet that resulted in winning more than $82,000.

What are the odds of that happening again? Even if they're infinitesimal, I'm sure other bettors will be looking for ways to make it happen for themselves.

This whole scenario plays to my reasons for accepting nearly all invitations I receive to link on social media, because I think the odds are stacked in my favor.

Friends have said, "Susan -- you could get scammed! Some of the profiles are fake. Why do they want to link to you? What's in for you to accept?"

The questions go on and on.

What the odds that I would be taken in? Really small, honestly. I do check the profile, I check the number of connections that person has, I check to see if we have any mutual ones. If nothing rears its ugly head, I say sure. Why not? I figure the odds are 1 in maybe 1000 (maybe 1 in 5000 -- maybe even higher) that someone would be targeting me for something that could hurt.

But let's flip that around, shall we? I have always seen the proverbial glass as overflowing (neither half-empty nor half-full), and since I continue to see the world with an abundance mindset, I see the odds as 999 to 1 (or 4999 to 1) in favor of it working out just fine.

For me, yes, in some ways it's a numbers game. The more connections I have, the more chances I have to help them -- if they want and need it -- with what I know about American grammar and usage, and the more chances I have for helping their connections as well, right? Gaining clients from it is a consideration, but honestly: I am happy knowing that someone wanted to connect and might learn something that may help them succeed.

And there's a third flip-side to this two-headed coin (at least for me): Every time I check out someone's profile, I learn something.

Maybe that person wrote an article about a topic I'm curious about ... or never even considered. So I read it. Inevitably I learn.

Maybe that person commented on someone else's article, again about a topic I'm curious about. So I read it ... and I learn.

96476cae.jpgIt's a really big and at the same time a really small world we live on, folks -- and thanks to those who ask to connect, I'm seeing more and more of it. That delights me more than you can know.

I understand that many prize quality over quantity, and that's obviously fine! But I do think my growing networks are full of high-quality people, even if I don't know them beyond the fact that we have a social media connection.

Warning: Blatant promotion here: I will meet about 65 connections for the first time at the third #NLV2019 (No Longer Virtual) event in Atlanta in February. I believe there are only 13 spots open. Check it out on Sarah Elkins' site.) The other 25 +/- I already met two years at the first NLV.

Let's talk about how connecting here helps each of us in our own unique way, OK?

Oh, a picture very much like that one above was in an article so well written by Jeff Ikler聽that I saw a week or so ago; you might like it, too!

What are your thoughts here? Share them with us, please. Let's continue to learn from each other!聽

And if this article resonates with you, please share it, OK? Many thanks!

Do you like freebies? Curious about American grammar and usage? Then click HEREfor a FREE copy of my booklet "Colons, Commas, and Dashes, Oh, My!"

Comments
#4
Wow, Ken Boddie, notice that I am answering so you don't decide to cut me loose! That said, my goals aren't exactly like some others': I teach through my blogs. Although I have gained a fair number of clients on LI, that's not the specific reason I post -- it really is to teach, to help others, to give them some info on American grammar, etc., that they may have lost track of (or perhaps never learned). So, for me to accept nearly everyone makes sense, at least it does to me. I love learning from others -- whether they become clients or remain colleagues and friends -- because when they comment on one of my posts, I get a new perspective. So for me, it's a win/win/win -- and I love it! And LI has done far more for me than any other platform, including -- sorry to say -- beBee. I apparently get loads and loads of "views," but darn little engagement. So be it. Or "so bee it." It's still fun.
#1
Of course, CityVP \ud83d\udc1d Manjit, there have always been the weird ones among us (and who's to say someone doesn't think WE are weird?), but you're right. It's rampant on social media, because it's hard to tell just from a profile and a picture.
#2
And that's all I try to be, Franci\ud83d\udc1dEugenia Hoffman, beBee Brand Ambassador! So far, it's working. ;-)

Ken Boddie

5 years ago #3

(continued from below).... Furthermore, I found that my wall was being flooded with articles in one or more languages with which I had no familiarity. The obvious thing was to cull my connections and this I did by weeding out those who were blatant advertisers, those writing in another language, and those who's subject matter just didn't interest me. I also, incidentally, culled those who did not comment on my blogs or those of others with whom I regularly communicated, and who didn't write blogs themselves. This worked very well, with the result that I now have a relatively short and clean wall, but still have the option of going to Producer to find newBees with whom I may have some interest. I therefore screen all requests for communication from bees this days and will not 'follow' back if I have not previously communicated with them, they do not have a human profile picture (more common than you might think), or, when looking at their profile, they are not active. Thus I appear to have successfully avoided importing bots or other robotic or potentially destructive agents. I prefer to think of this as a numbers control option rather than working the odds.

Ken Boddie

5 years ago #2

Interesting open door policy you have with SM, Susan. First let me say that my following comments apply only to beBee.com, as I've virtually given up with LI and my Facebook account is only for family, friends and those with whom I've corresponded regularly on other platforms. When I first started blogging on beBee, some two years and seven months ago, the platform was new, everyone was excited about this new concept, there were very few of us writing blogs here, and everyone and anyone wanted to connect. It goes without saying that many bees, and certainly me for one, tended to respond to anyone who connected with us (or 'follow' us) by 'following' in kind. Slowly, however, as time went by, the numbers of participants in this platform started to increase and it became apparent that it just wasn't possible to communicate with everyone. Not only that, but the marketers and advertisers started to come onboard, the bottom line being that I found (in common with many) that my 'wall' (or home page) was becoming tediously long and full of articles with which I had absolutely no interest (to be continued).

CityVP Manjit

5 years ago #1

There is definitely a weird side to the web when it comes to fake profiles but maybe the worst is when fake profiles are stealing posts and identities to look legitimate, and from there this weirdness sometimes gets worse I am afraid https://www.hercampus.com/sex-relationships/dating/i-had-internet-stalker-5-years

Articles from Susan 馃悵 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

View blog
5 years ago 路 1 min. reading time

Sometimes I create a Funday with a theme; other times the theme comes begging to be recognized! And ...

5 years ago 路 2 min. reading time

I am certain every language has its own ways that might not make absolute sense in terms of spelling ...

5 years ago 路 1 min. reading time

Do you love dogs? Like them? I have loved having them in my life since my first neighbor鈥檚 dog let m ...

Related professionals

You may be interested in these jobs

  • Anchor Health Homecare Services

    HHA Positions

    Found in: Jooble US O C2 - 20 hours ago


    Anchor Health Homecare Services Purdys, NY, United States Part time

    **New York State HHA or PCA Certificate REQUIRED** 路 If you're looking for a team that ensures the caregivers working in the community feel supported and cared for. . . then we want to hear from you 路 Many benefits including enrolling with the Union and Flexible scheduling 路 HHA/ ...

  • Ascendo Resources

    Senior Client Associate

    Found in: Lensa US P 2 C2 - 6 days ago


    Ascendo Resources Olympia, United States

    We are seeking an individual with experience servicing HNW and UHNW individuals in the wealth management space to join an exciting company as a Client Associate. The ideal candidate will be responsible and carry experience in the following: 路 Collaborating with banking and counte ...

  • CS Mankato Clinic

    Full Time Gastroenterology Job ME

    Found in: Jooble US O C2 - 21 hours ago


    CS Mankato Clinic Mankato, MN, United States Full time

    The Mankato Clinic is seeking a Gastroenterologist to come join their physician-owned practice in Mankato, Minnesota 路 Position Highlights: 路 ~ Full-time Outpatient Gastroenterology opportunity 路 ~2 GI Physicians, 80+ Total Physicians 路 ~100+ Advanced Practice Providers 路 ~ ...