Though I have to say when it comes to dealbreakers, there are bigger ones than exclusivity. I’ll definitely post about my Triiibes experience which, at this point at least, is a bit glitchy. Still, super-interesting experiment.

Man, social networks are exhausting though. When is the official “enough already!” backlash going to kick in?

“Everything on the triiibe, stays there. We agree not to cross post or to quote without permission.”

I get that Triiibes is an experiment in exclusivity, but if I can’t tell a friend about something it might as well not exist.

That said I’ll probably order the book (which I would have anyway) and try to join Triiibes just as an academic exercise.

Nathan Bowerss last blog post..Great moments in bad stock art: “Guy pumping fist and howling into cell phone”

I actually wrote a whole post about Zingerman’s (and Betty Boop) because I’m obsessed.

And that’s where I also make my “secret Ann Arborite” confession.

(I was totally giving myself extra credit for not making an “Ann Arborite of passage” joke but now taking those points away. Curses! Foiled again!)

@Nathan – Yeah, Amazon is easy to use. They totally “got” a lot of things about how online stuff should work way before everyone else (interactivity, customer ratings and reviews, community-building, etc). So credit where credit is due, etc.

But they’re also monopolist schmegeggies who stomp on POD companies. Which means all of us who want to self-publish have no real choice as to who we use.

And the way they get the best price is the Walmart way. Mom and pop businesses don’t so much “get” to use their marketplace as “have to”.

Of course we also want to biggify ourselves and be out there and change the world, etc. For me it’s really important to do it the Zingerman’s way (conscious, compassionate, local + online) and not the bully way. And to model that in terms of who I promote.

But I get that people like Amazon and want to buy from them. Just don’t want that to be the automatic default with no discussion.

Love your thoughts on what makes a tribe. Would make for an interesting post … maybe you’ll write some more about that …

However, I do deduct points for Amazon’s infuriating “one click” patent.

Nathan Bowerss last blog post..Modal dialogs are the new deadly sin of web design

Just saying. :)

There are several kinds of tribal patterns, some good, some lame.

The lame ones involve subsuming your identity so you fit in: high school cliques, gangs, cults, etc… It’s not about who you are or what you can do, it’s about the props and compliance with the group.

The good tribal patterns are about embracing your identity and kicking ass at being you. Also note: non-compliance, experimentation, and trailblazing are rewarded. This is how I feel about all my friends, whether they are “in person” friends or Twitter/blogger friends. Feels pretty good.

It’s just something I think about a lot, and it’s been a big theme more recently since so many internet-ey people seem to be teenager-crush-ing on Amazon. Apparently your readers too.

Thanks for the seriously thoughtful comment.

As for the “late to the .com party” thing, I think the world gives you a free pass on that one. And anyway, there isn’t anyone online who hasn’t gone through that at some point or another. We all have our “no way someone had *that* domain” war stories.

@Everyone else, you’re getting the book, right? I need people to talk to about this stuff …

thanks for the lesson, and the great post and for buying a copy.

and thanks for joining the tribe.

1. you’re right about triiibe.com vs. triiibes.com. I’m just a little late to the .com party, alas. Not sure what I could have done. Fortunately, you’ll never have to type it in, since it’ll be in your invite.

2. the thing about Amazon is a really interesting one. Most of my readers get upset when Amazon isn’t the primary choice, because they have one click and a credit card on file and it’s easy and you know, they’re not particularly annoying.

when I send people to independents, many times they come back howling. It’s not in the computer, the site won’t load on my browser, the price is 50% higher…

I never go to home depot (ever) nor Wal mart. They don’t seem to have the community in mind. And I like independent bookstores, like them a lot. But it’s turning out to be increasingly difficult to serve my readers without making Amazon the first choice. By most measures, they’re just better.

Sorry if I offended, and thanks!

Seth Godins last blog post..Are you in the tribe?