Posted by
Michael Davies on Sunday, December 07, 2008 9:16:14 PM
I have a few minutes to spare and so I thought I might write something
about Social Networking Sites. Recently I was introduced to 'Twitter.'
I thought it sounded a little weird when I first signed up for it but
my friend Tiffani Barnes insisted it was the new up and coming site and
that it would help the both of us keep in touch. Being what I call a
"Blue" - meaning I love connecting with people and often re-charge
myself by being connected with friends - I signed up. I am also
involved with Facebook. My Myspace is out of date.
For
those who don't know about Twitter:: Twitter lets you leave update
messages of up to 140 characters - just like a text message. You can
send them online, via an instant message device or by twitters very own
"tweet deck." Once I sign up others can choose to 'follow me'. If they
choose to do this they will then receive an update every time I leave a
message. Now that I am 'Following" Tiffani, if Tiff leaves a message, I
receive it. What I really like about it is that if Tiffani travels back
to Texas and puts it on Twitter I am instantly aware that she will be
in Texas in the next few days and can arrange a visit from that point
on!
Since signing up for Twitter I've managed to find out that
several of my favourite political radio hosts are also a part of it. It
seems that Barack Obama used Twitter and Facebook as a means to pass
his campaign message quickly around the youth who supported him. I know
for Pais we use Facebook to send out messages to all current, past, and
future apprentices. It also allows us to advertise and connect with
youth. One would think that it has to be a good thing! Right?
My
Fiancee (Soon to be wife) Heather, just concluded a study on cell
phones and their use in social interaction. Heather concluded that
often those who frequently text people still felt a distinct loss of
social connection. Now the study was specifically about texting, but I
wonder if it were broadened to include Social Net Working sites if it
would offer the same results. That those who frequently used Social Net
Working as a means to connect, were in fact, disconnected.
One would think the technology simply made connection easier.
I
wonder if it's to do with how social networking sites are used. I put
forward that the way older people and younger people use these sites
and these technologies differ. I just received a "Twitter" from someone
wondering why many people didn't have biographies on their "Twitter"
profile. They wanted these people to "stand" for something - an insight
into the man's mind. The reason I could find so many of my favourite
political radio hosts on "Twitter" is because they want to use it for
political means. Not a bad idea - but definitely not the main idea
behind why most young people use it!
Youth and young adults use
such sites to 'chat' and 'splurge'. They blog to let out their emtions
and clarify their thoughts. They "Tweet"( Yes it sounds wierd) because
it's "the thing to do" or because they want everyone to know about
them. They Facebook for both of these reasons. Their agenda is to
simply "Let people know about them." Many others tend to have the
agenda of "Getting out the word about such and such." The two
definitely overlap at times but they're very different.
Since
those who want to use it for political ends don't use it just to inform
about themselves they pour more effort into their 'real life'
relationships, whether that be family, work or friends. Perhaps the
reason so many young people feel so disconnected is because their
social energy is poured into 'internet connections' which therefore
leaves them wanting in the face to face arena.
And such are the ponderings of Me:)
Michael