Old story about computers and work. Don't design work so that the computer is doing it and the worker is watching the computer. Make sure the computer is helping the worker.

With social media, design the system so the media supports the social and amplifies it. If you take out the human interaction, people get antsy.

I'

Yes, comments can be a part of conversation but, as you yourself say, not always. There are a number of scenarios where 'comment' is a standlalone action and so warrants a classification of its own.

With regards to Cutting-Edge I don't see that as being a core function of social media. Social media ideas should be across the board for any purpose so just staying at the forefront of your profession is not in its remit. The connections you garner from social media may help you achieve this but social media is not the only tool at your disposal.

Thanks for the comment. I will be expanding on the 5 C's in a later post.

You could then make the 5th “C”, “Curriculum” or 'Cutting-Edge” – one of the main things that brought me to social media and keeps me sticking around is the opportunity to learn and be on the “Cutting-Edge” of my profession and trade which happens to be marketing. Blogs, Podcasts, and Twitter (to name a few), allow me to connect with thought leaders in my field and to learn new techniques as social media tools are integrated as business tools in the marketing mix.

Social media affords me (and many others) the opportunity to be inspired and equipped to stay fresh in our profession.