For all those pessimists out there who condemn the Internet for turning a generation of youth into mindless mouse-clickers, StumbleUpon adds more arsenal to their cannon. In a culture driven upon easy access to information and instant access, StumpleUpon is a dream come true to all those looking to cure their boredom through surfing the Internet.

Right in line with all things wasteful on the Internet, StumpleUpon seeks to match the interests of the user with referred to websites under the same categories. At the core of such a model is mindless entertainment – something the millennial generation consumes like Veronica consumed cany in Willy Wonka and the Charlie Factory. Just like children who entered the Wonka’s abundant factory and ended up a victim to their desires, a generation raised on the Internet have their Everlasting Gobstopper in the form of StumbleUpon.

Mindless entertainment is quickly becoming the ethos of modern culture and society. StumbleUpon’s intended good sucks the user into a deeper web of irrelevant information. In one point of time, such thing would have been considered insulting to the intelligence, but nowadays it is common place. In essence, such a website stumble upons our stupidity and feeds it.

Flea Markets always fascinate me as I drive down the highway and look out my window at the tables filled with piles of colorful widgets and whatcha-ma-call-its. I’ve never stopped at a flea market though because the probability that I’ll stumbleupon an original painting or ancient piece of pottery to pawn-off on Ebay seems slim to none.  I have the same attitude towards StumbleUpon, a glorified digital flee market of ideas, pictures, and articles.

7 million  users are currently clicking, sifting, and surfing through endless web pages to find that treasure of an image, article, or tibit that will revolutionize their lives.  It has to be there among the piles of junk like Aunt Mildred’s recipe for cooking artichoke hearts or Bobby Boy’s cat cartoon.  Is it worth it?  Maybe one day I will slow down my car and wander down the isles of a flea market.  Who knows, maybe I’ll even get lucky and find a diamond in the rough.  For now though, I maintain that StumbleUpon is not worth the time or the effort. I’m going to pass this one by.

oh…I spent about half an hour clicking through the website.  Here is what I found.  They say time is money. I think I paid too much for this picture.

Something I "Stumbled Upon"

Anyone who has ever enjoyed surfing the interenet will enjoy stumbleupon. So what makes stumbleupon unique? Simply put it makes surfing the net easy, but more importantly addicting. What pain does stumbleupon appeal to… boredom. Here’s the problem. It does it’s job so well that it detracts from other facets of life. I’m not saying stumbleupon is a bad thing, it just needs to be used with discernment. The picture below makes my point.

I myself am guilty, not only have I wasted precious hours of my day on stumbleupon, i have even given up sleep. Anyone care to tell me why this is a good thing?

1. Just start - Whether it’s StumbleUpon account, introducing yourself to a colleague for lunch, or creating a blog you’ve got to start somewhere. Why wait till tomorrow, when you can begin today? Networks and brands take time to build. Remember, a great reputation is the most difficult thing to build and maintain, and always the first thing to be lost. One way to sacrifice your reputation is by sacrificing your message.

2. Stick with a consistent message – The presidential race this year has been a perfect example of utilizing a consistent message. Mitt Romney tailored his approach on a state by state basis, promising each state what they wanted to hear. McCain, took his blunt approach to each state, telling Michigan that the Automotive Industry was on the way out, and sticking by the war – looks who’s consistent message has risen to the top of the ballot. Obama’s optimistic message of change has resonated everywhere he’s set foot, and he’s established himself as the premier political “brand”. Obamanation is gripping, and his audiences can depend on hearing his message of change. More articulately, change we can believe in. Whether or not you like his political stances, his campaign has a feverish excitement that turns heads, the same way an excellent marketing campaign would. Sticking with a consistent message and pounding it home is favorable with viewers and readers everywhere. Find a subject you’re passionate about and start writing today. Don’t change your approach to please one person. There’s always somebody who will disagree.

3. Get your name out there - Link and link and link. Promote yourself without shame, and do what you can to strengthen your reader base. Take time to comment on other people’s accounts, maintain your consistent message and continue to get yourself out there. Introducing yourself both in real life and online can be an intimidating experience. By the time you click submit or shake that hand you won’t regret it.