Are the Social Networks Ready to Implode?
June 21st, 2008
I was reading a post at Mashable:
So comScore
[CNET
Yawn. Source
He also references GigiOm:
The fundamental nature (and utility) of social networks hasn’t really changed. The platform-ization of social networks has led to the rise of social apps that are best described as time wasters. You can be fascinated by vampire bites and what not but in the end, there is a finite amount of time you can waste.
This is my comment:
Yawn is right. I’ve been saying for years now the so-called social networks are time wasters and misdirecting everyone away from developing their real blogs.
I compare the SN phenomena to bar-hopping. Today’s popular hangout will be yesterday’s flavour of the month.
Sooner or later the barflies are going to wake from their delerium and regret all those years wasted and realize their privacy has been raped and come back to haunt them.
Sad but true.
Whatever happened to common sense? Are the Social Networks Ready to Implode? What do you think?
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With all respect, you’re absolutely wrong. While I agree that social networks that lack focus, strategy, or results will wind up on the chopping block… micro-networks are gathering steam.
I’ve got 2 networks: Smaller Indiana and Navy Vets. Navy Vets is new, but it’s providing an important repository for Navy Veterans to document their history - through words, photos and video. It’s also a central place to find reunion events. Once it grows large enough, it will also be the best place on the net to reunite with old shipmates. The goal of Navy Vets is also to become a monetary provider to Veteran charities.
Smaller Indiana has been a huge socio-economic community in Indiana for bringing together movers and shakers in the community. We’ve had huge volumes of commerce happening on the back-end of Smaller Indiana even some venture capitalism.
I’ve also seen Cancer Support, Medical Research, Minority Business, Drug Addiction, and even Weight Loss networks. Tell the folks that are losing weight with online support or dying patients that they’re on a hangover with this technology - they’ll tell you that it may be one of the most important things connecting them to other humans.
Facebook? MySpace? I agree… but social networking that has a purpose will not only NOT die, they will be growing and integrating through Social API’s.
Sorry Bloke! You missed the mark on this one!
Douglas Karr’s last blog post..links for 2008-06-21
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What you’re doing sounds great Doug but it’s different than what I’m talking about. I’m referring to the kids who are using social networks like local hangouts, neglecting their real blogs and giving away all their private information to a faceless corporation. I’m equally disgusted with the growing problem of sploggers putting the hustle on us.
Believe me when I say I have nothing against social networking technology. It just depends on how it’s being used and what for.
Down the road I foresee blogs integrating more social networking into it’s core feature set. That will be a good thing because at least bloggers will be in control of their own content.
So no need to be sorry Doug and I wish your endeavours all success.
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Thanks Bloke! They’re all ’social networks’, though. Even the hangouts may be important to a youngster’s development. We’re social beings and socializing is something we learn. Time spent bs’ing on a network like Facebook or MySpace may still play a role in one’s development.
Perhaps participating in one of these networks will provide them the tools and relationships to succeed! I suppose time will tell.
Douglas Karr’s last blog post..links for 2008-06-21
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We’re socializing as we speak aren’t we. I just want to keep the socializing on our own domain instead if making some corporation wealthy at our expense.
P.s.: Will you be my friend?
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Blog Bloke reply on June 21st, 2008 6:35 pm:
Douglas Karr reply on June 21st, 2008 6:24 pm:
Blog Bloke reply on June 21st, 2008 6:12 pm:
I’ve found some awesome sites/blogs, met some awesome people networking, gained readers and subscribers and so forth…..no problems here with social networks
Like you said, it all in how you use them.
Dennis Edell’s last blog post..7 Turbo Writing Tips
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My interests are around mobile specific social networks.
Some 47 mobile social network companies have emerged globally.
http://mobileanalytics.com/forum/index.php?topic=42.0
Cheers,
Dean Collins
www.Amethon.com
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Social networks? What social network? I don’t use any and hardly log in to my Facebook account. For me, Blogs are the ultimate social network. What about you BB?
Mushfiqur Rahman’s last blog post..Xbox 720 : Every Myth, Speculation, Rumor And The Truth That You Should Know
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I’m with you there Mushfiqur
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Blog Bloke reply on June 23rd, 2008 11:39 am:
One thing I like about this site is that I get free link love and also have the chance to be featured as the top commenter. Which means even more links and hopefully visitors! Thanks for keeping this blog “unique” and more “social friendly” than some *ahem* A listers *ahem* out there.
Mushfiqur Rahman’s last blog post..Xbox 720 : Every Myth, Speculation, Rumor And The Truth That You Should Know
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Thanks for noticing Mushfiqur.
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Blog Bloke reply on June 24th, 2008 9:22 am:
The funny/sad thing is, I’d bet at least some of the “A’s” started out giving love away freely (whatever love was around at the time).
Now that the B-Z Lister’s are all suckin’ their kneecaps (Wall Street - great movie), they no longer need nor want too.
I know of one that actually SELLS do-follow comment links if you want one.
Oy.
Dennis Edell’s last blog post..12 Ways To Outsell Your Competition
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Here’s an example .. Guy Kawasaki only started blogging about a year ago. He begged his book fans to link to him just so he could catapult himself into the Technorati Top 100. He didn’t want to have to work his way up the ladder like the rest of us do. He also weaseled his way into speaking engagements so he could schmooze and suck up to the a-listers. Most a-listers have pulled strings similarly to get where they are today. Some people have no shame. Is it any wonder why I have no respect for them.
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Blog Bloke reply on June 24th, 2008 7:40 pm:
You make some good points, but I don’t think we can understand the meaning of social networks to the younger generation. I also feel they are fairly pointless and once you connect with a few old friends the luster fades. But for the newest generation of internet users they are a way of life, it is how they communicate with everyone they know and even how they make new “friends”. What is a waste to us, isn’t to them and I doubt that is going to change.
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True, so long as we can keep them from text messaging and driving at the same time.
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Blog Bloke reply on December 10th, 2008 11:27 pm: