Marcie's Adventures in Social Networking...

Someone recently told me to consider new technology as a series of shallow relationships - play around with it, see what it can do for you, but all the while keep your eye out for the next, best thing - making sure you are able and ready to test out new possibilities and then latch onto improvements when they come along, only when you are really settled in and comfortable should you make a commitment, etc. This analogy can pertain to any new technology, but it is also how I have felt about MySpace, Friendster, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. I wondered which would have staying power, which was a temporary trend, and which would do more than simply reconnect me to friends and acquaintances - I mean we already have email after all, right?

I've found that FaceBook is pretty ingenious for passive marketing and promotions. Friends can passively peruse one another's activities from the comfort of their own page. My best friend can see that I am attending a movie tonight, because I've posted it - my brother can see what I've done last weekend via posted images, etc.

Facebook has a more user-friendly interface and applications that LinkedIn and MySpace. It may be because I have ventured further and further into the realm of Facebook, but I find it much more dynamic and versatile - I can use it as a social or professional resource, or for social updates, entertainment. It has changed a means of communication and information. It shifts our ability to participate and key into one another's lives, according to school groups, professional groups, neighborhoods, shared interests, etc. However, I believe the more one uses this resource, the more careful one must be in what they decide to reveal/share about themselves, although they have 150 "friends" what may be "fun" and appropriate for one, may be completely offensive and embarrassing to another.

Along those lines, I'm glad I did not use Facebook when I was in middle school, as I am certain I'd be mortified with the inane nonsense that I felt mattered most at that time. I wonder how Facebook will impact today's younger users, and how can be altered to reflect the maturation of users (i.e. if a photo album feels inappropriate and immature and you wish to remove it, how easy/challenging is that to do?).

I know how careful I try to be with what is posted about, by, with, to, for me - a decade ago, I probably would have been much less careful. I wonder how young folks can filter their own content to make sure they want it out there in the world.

Just some thoughts...