http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/the-anti-social-network-social-network/
The article explains that there is a new social networking site named By/Association which has striped down the facebook social networking format to create a site specifically for the expansion of "social horizons." The idea is similar to a hotel lobby as well were professionals and "creative types" can reach out to people outside of their industry to people that they might never have the chance to meet. I like the idea because its a professional environment which promotes social out reach beyond the "people you know" button.It's also interesting that the site does not include pictures or profiles which have become standards in the facebook format or dating sites. I think its food for thought to maybe think outside of the "facebook" box.
I've got to thank Marcus for this really neat post. I just looked at the NYT post myself and then looked at the website.
ReplyDeleteThe idea that they have is kind of an awesome take on what the world is going towards now. Almost all the sites now are used to just connect further or re-connect with those in your life. This new twist completely turns that upside down.
My only worry about something like this would be going back to something we talked about in the beginning of the semester, strong and weak ties. While we have read so much literature about how the role of the internet is really wearing away at the strong ties our nation was once built on, it's hard for me to look at this website and not think that notion is perpetuated by their goals. As of now, it seems as though they are looking for much more surface relationships than anything more meaningful. Even the NYT article deems is the "anti-social network".
While I do like Marcus' idea of thinking outside the "facebook box" (which I think we've modeled ourselves after a little too much), I think that the way we've done things is far more conducive in what we're trying to accomplish. We don't feel that we want to inspire anything less than a completely social and connected network. Our entire basis is on finding passion and community between people in order to benefit those/things around us. I definitely think this is the way that our website will work, and I literally can't wait to finally see it in action.
I found an article that was actually quite interesting that is related to the topic of "anti-social networking" and another site, different from the one Marcus is talking about, that aims to be Facebook's killer application. This is www.seppukoo.com and it's slogan is "impress your friends, disconnect yourself." It basically is a site that "aims to subvert Facebook by offering its millions of users a glorious end and a memorial page to match." The thought is based on ancient Japanese samurai beliefs and basically users can make a page on the website as a memorial to the end of their Facebook pages. Once you click a button to end your Facebook page on the seppukoo website, it takes down your profile from Facebook in a "glorious" manner. The site is part of a protest that sees Facebook as a potentially dangerous entity to corporate interests. However, Seppukoo admits that it is in reality a social networking group but seeks "to distinguish itself from Facebook by noting that it will store no data and its server will not sell data to any third party." Sounds like a weird, but interesting concept. However, it'll probably take time for it to get started and I am also not even sure how successful it will be since so many people are addicted to Facebook already. Initiating the reverse affect of Facebook seems like a difficult task.
ReplyDeletelink to article:
ReplyDeletehttp://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091210/ts_alt_afp/franceusitinternetfacebookoffbeat