This is the age of the Web 2.0 or something towards that effect. I am still trying to get my hands around the web 1.0. I am still trying to be effective in gathering inform and dealing with blogs.But now I am sticking my toes into the waters of the social networks on the world wide web. I have Linked In account. I have page my Facebook, I think I still have a MySpace account but I can't remember and I have not looked at it for well over a year. Everyone once in while someone will invite me to be there friend or they want to put me into their network. I say okay and then I never hear from the again. I have be encouraged to Twitter, no thanks I am no where near that interesting. I don't know what to do with these things.
What do these new services do for us or how do they benefit us? How do these social networks work? What connections do they make and how do they enhance our relationships? Are these substitutes for the real connections which are messy and elusive? I know that saying these thing my fogey quotient goes up, but I am serious. Are these social networks simply tools to help us connect with one another for business and recreational purposes or are these now the way we build friendships? Are we trading face to face for Facebook?
If you have any answers let me know, all I have are questions.
3 comments:
Kent,
I recently joined Facebook and have loved the many ways it helps me keep in touch with people and stay aware of what is going on in people's lives (many people that I had lost touch with altogether, or who I don't have the ability to maintain the more normal ongoing relationship via phone calls, emails and the like). I know for me there is a limit of how many friendships can be maintained in the more rigorous sense (the face to face, as you suggest) especially factoring in moves, etc. But through Facebook I see a constant flow of little updates on what is going on with friends and that has been a great joy for me.
I wonder if there is a general correlation between age and the comfort level of using the newer social networks.
I don't know, Kent - you don't look much older than me! ;-) I have a Facebook, and I'm tweeting on Twitter. Facebook is a great way to connect, and I've renewed a bunch of friendships there. Myspace is great for promoting my band, and keeping in touch - but I prefer Facebook for the social networking aspect.
Keep using Facebook - you'll get the hang of it! Now - navigating all those foolish applications...well, I can't help ya there. LOL
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