@stotheco,

Being hooked out of habit on social networks is the most evident when the opportunity for in-person connection is there.  It can be a way to avoid interacting on deeper levels, or putting one's self out there in the real world. 

Personally, I have connected with people on planes and had great conversations, even conversation leading to new client opportunities.  Travel is all about expanding horizons.  In order to do this, you have to look at the horizon, not at devices with your head down!

@stotheco,

Being hooked out of habit on social networks is the most evident when the opportunity for in-person connection is there.  It can be a way to avoid interacting on deeper levels, or putting one's self out there in the real world. 

Personally, I have connected with people on planes and had great conversations, even conversation leading to new client opportunities.  Travel is all about expanding horizons.  In order to do this, you have to look at the horizon, not at devices with your head down!

I find this ironic because although you will not be alone in the strictest sense of the world, you might be physically alone. For some people, maintaining a connection is important. I understand that, because I get that way too sometimes. However, I find it perplexing that some people have the chance to really socialize in real life but spend their time instead on social networks to interact with others virtually.

I think the big reason why people's outlook on traveling has changed is because they are not "alone". They know they can rely on social media to make them laugh and be entertained. It really makes your friends one tap or finger swipe away, so nobody ever really travels alone since their friends and family are with them in more than one sense.

I agree - There is human need for connection, and social media certainly assists in having this need met.  The use of social media for travel serves a similar purpose as dogs used as therapy pets for people with anxiety.  You are never alone, and if anxiety comes up (as it can when traveling) contact is only a click away.

You're not kidding, @Magneticnorth!!  I also advocate testing on what's 'already known', because sometimes it's wrong.  Especially when one can easily note what the expected results should be if things are right... and then the data doesn't add up.  Really shakes things up.  

Unfortunately sometimes management feels that there's no way they could be wrong, and it's the analyst who's made an error.  Gets worse when they've no way to disprove the analyst.  

I was wondering the same thing. Plus, we haven't had any major crashes or outages recently, so that might have something to do with it as well. 

I think the big reason why people's outlook on traveling has changed is because they are not "alone". They know they can rely on social media to make them laugh and be entertained. It really makes your friends one tap or finger swipe away, so nobody ever really travels alone since their friends and family are with them in more than one sense.

Who really knows what's going on? Surely not me. Let's be wary of depending too much on what data seems to be saying lest we act hastily and really fall off the cliff.

There's no doubt that research, when done or interpreted poorly, could mislead people. But that's the difference between good research and bad research. Pretty much any work, when done poorly, will likely do harm.

@smkinoshita: This is why we marketers should rely on research to gauge consumer sentiments. All too often, my clients don't want to spend on research, thinking that they already know what the market needs. You just can't assume that your views represent those of your customers' even if you're part of them yourself. The data will still speak for itself, but that'll only be worth something if we listen.