Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, MySpace, etc., etc., etc.; social networking is the latest Internet fad, and some even call it a revolution. These portals not only allow us to easily interact from anywhere, but also allow us to add others to our list of friends, commonly known as "friending".
It seems that for many - perhaps most - the overall goal is not simply to stay in contact with those they already know, but to collect as many people on their list as possible, whether they know them or not. Others such as myself, find this whole concept rather strange, and somewhat troubling.
It's true that social networking is a great way for businesses to attract customers and other contacts to increase the bottom line or create working relationships, but what I'm referring to are individuals who are online for personal reasons only.
What seems so odd is how some folks seem to simply add anyone that is a friend of anyone they are already friends with. Combine that with the inane emptiness of many posts and it just makes no sense. Sure, my friends and family might be interested in otherwise mundane posts like where I am today or what I did last night, but why would a total stranger? Now, the general populace might actually wish to read something I've written about a public issue or a funny story that I have to tell, but do they really want to know what the weather is like near my home or the fact that I've "made it through another Monday"? Somehow I doubt it.
If one "friends" anyone and everyone they see online but whom they don't actually know, then posting stories of interest or well thought out opinion pieces makes some sense. Blogging in this way can make for good reading no matter what one's relation to the writer is (and I thank you for being here
).
Likewise, when a user has only actual friends and family on their list, then putting up quick blurbs like "just got back from vaca and boy am I tired" can provide insight into their life that their loved ones could appreciate, especially if they are far apart physically.
However, to post the daily minutia of one's personal life to a list of people who are not known or even met before just seems... well... crazy. For one thing, the readers are not likely to have any real connection to the poster or the information written about, and therefore not much interest or even understanding. For another thing, broadcasting details that would normally be reserved for intimate relationships is something most adults would never do outside of this magical world of inter-webs. At best, it's a meaningless waste of the reader's time (and Wall space). At worst, it's a potentially dangerous security risk. If everyone on the web knows that you've gone away on vacation for a week, how can you be sure someone reading that won't just invite themselves into your empty house while you're gone? This kind of thing and much worse happens all the time.
I believe that there still exists an unfounded perception that the people and things we see on the Web are somehow verified or otherwise more trustworthy than things and people we meet offline. Users seem to throw away their normal cautions and inhibitions, baring themselves to anyone who cares to see - and those that don't. Many times, I speak to folks who have been a victim of some online scam or hoax, and they act as though they did not realize that some people simply wish to lie or even do them harm. Spam emails, crazy websites, Wall posts and Tweets that say just about anything are for some reason given greater weight and respect than the drunk on the corner. If it were on a public street, they would not have even spoken to that stranger, but online is somehow a different matter.
My point is this; the Web, like TV, radio and newsprint before it is just another medium by which we humans can communicate. The only thing that makes it so revolutionary and different is the freedom and ease with which we are able to operate on it. Just because it's easy and free doesn't mean it is wise or appropriate. I'm not saying pull the plug and move into a cave; just that we should think about what we're writing and who might see it. If you don't already know a person offline, then you don't know them; so why embrace them any closer than you would any other stranger on the street?
I'll be posting a link to this on my
Facebook page...
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