Throughout the past few weeks, I feel even I have lost touch with the purpose of these social networks. The point is to connect people through similar interests. This can be done in many ways and through many venues. Some of the ones we have looked at focus on a personal gain, whereas social networks for the social good aim to help others. That is a crucial difference that makes linkedin look selfish compared to something like Razoo.com.
It is important that these "social good" networks are not for everyone. Similar to volunteer work, some people refuse to devote their time and talents for others. It serves as a constant reminder to me that there is truly something for everyone on the internet.
I do think this is an important aspect to our culture. We need to be more responsible and accountable for our actions. Since we are spending more and more time on the computer than ever before, it has become the place to get news and spread news. It is where people can come together from all over the world to communicate about a particular topic. There is no limits or boundaries, just endless possibilities. It's up to us to take advantage of that.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Is IT In You?
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3 comments:
To go off on a tangent - I would argue that social networking sites are drastically changing, breaking, and unifying cultures. As you said, there's something for everyone. Same goes for our identity. We've talked about our online identity and reputation in class. There seems to be a shift - our identity isn't just our nationality, race, gender, etc. It what we want it to me. We join the networks and communities that we want to be apart of.
Pessimism is my bitch lover. Sure, there will be those who join, but how many? will it be enough to be a mainstream movement? The idea is nice, and I've never had a problem with the idea. The ONLY thing that I have had issues with these "save the world" social networking sites (such as Razoo) IS their practicality. I feel that unless a catastrophic event occurred (unfortunately), few will find it and join (unless they are so connected into philanthropy). Don't get me wrong, according to Jewish thought of the ancient rabbis, the best kind of tzedakah (which literally means "commandment" but is translated to "acts of kindness and charity") is one where the receiving party is unaware who/of the giving party. Then again, there is something to be said for physically dealing with the homeless, or those less fortunate NOT because of the feeling that you get by being the giving party, but because it is a more personal, level where you can see your impact. As sad as it sounds though, most people want to see/meet the people that they are impacting so they can feel better about THEMSELVES. Social networking does not preserve this as well as physically being there, another reason why I think that these websites for saving the world will fail.
I really like the idea that you looked at the "social good" issue from the prespective of volunteer work.It's true that computers cam epart of our life and for some it's even like water that they can't live without it. I agree with you , people should defenitly be responsible of their society in their own way.
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