Where’s The “Social” in Social Networking?
December 12th, 2008 by Katelyn D'Eramo
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A picture is worth a thousand words, the old saying goes.
Well if that’s the case, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and other social networking sites are worth more than a billion words. Today’s generation is more connected than ever before. When you meet a new person these days, you usually expect a “so-and-so wants to be your friend on Facebook, Myspace, etc.” the next day. Old or long-lost friends “friend” each other in this social networking world. Then you are constantly up-to-date with people’s lives.
However … the whole “social” aspect is a little lacking. Facebook and other social networking sites can be a bit of an enabler. They are a format that allows you to read about people and “catch up” with them without having to say a single word to them. Not very social if you ask me.
I’m a Facebook person. I upload pictures (80+ albums) and keep in touch with many of my college, high school, work friends and even family. A “friend” can easily see what I have been up to lately. This never struck me as odd until recently. When catching up with people in real life, it seems like they already know what’s going on. They know what I do for work, what I did last weekend and any updates I may have made in my life recently.
The question is this: am I too transparent? Are people spending more time alone on a website than actually connecting with each other in real life?
But there is another side to the argument as well. There is no doubt that social networks help us connect in positive and significant ways. Take for example, charities and fundraisers. When a friend-of-a-friend or a person you lost touch with is setting up either, you can easily contribute or volunteer. I donate to Good Samaritans every year via a Facebook group. Job postings or business opportunities also can be found via Facebook. Twitter is a whole world of opportunities.
Maybe one day there will be a different balance but for now, I’ll still upload pictures and catch up with friends in both real life and on Facebook.
This entry was posted on Friday, December 12th, 2008 at 12:30 pm and is filed under online communities, Social Networks, Web. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
December 13th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
I don’t think you’re being too transparent.
While friends reading your facebook updates may cut down on potential cocktail party conversation topics, they also keep you informed about each others lives in between meetings.
I love using social media to stay in touch with friends across the country that I am not able to see on regular basis.
I do understand the feeling when you realize how much people know about you due to social media though. Years ago, my boyfriend declared he would no longer read my personal blog because he wanted to hear what was going on in my life from me, and “have something to talk about over dinner”. We’d had too many conversations that consisted of:
Me: “I had the weirdest thing happen to me today!”
BF: “Yes, I read your post about that”
Me: “oh…I forgot I posted about that…” Both: awkward silence
December 15th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Just tweeted about a recent iMedia article that provides some good stories about how Twitter helps personalize brands. Rather than being a distant name or company – many brands are using Twitter to forge personal relationships with their followers. Check it out at http://tinyurl.com/5l5e7r
December 16th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I really like this, I felt like I was reading an editorial in a newspaper, I don’t mean that in a bad way. Well put.
December 18th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Thanks @Nick! I appreciate your comment!
@Tom Francoeur I read that article, a great read.
@Danielle DiGiovanni I can so relate to the conversation, I hate when people already know. I however do keep up with a few people’s lives via social media. Thanks for the post!