Social Networking

Social Networking has re-defined how we work, socialize and interact with one another on all levels. It's the method of communications with the most traction over the last 5-7 years. Companies like Facebook has over one billion subscribers. If it were a nation, in some ways it is - a "social nation", it would be almost the size of China. Sites like YouTube, which allows anyone to become an instant sensation overnight with videos going viral, and Twitter which allows anyone to broadcast messages to thousands and millions of people up to 140 characters at a time, has revolutionized the way we communicate.

In our society, the capitalist mindset is to find out what the people want and give it to them. However, part of finding out what people want is to know where the people are and hope that they're listening. Whether it's Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc., if the people are there, and communicating - which implies they see, listen and respond, then businesses can market to them to generate sales. Schools can use social networking to update students on reading assignments and campus activities; municipalities can update residents on storm dangers, street closures, etc. and politicians can use social media to advance their campaigns and these methods have proven very successful.

There are some dark sides to social networking as well. Medical professionals who use social networking as a tool has to be careful not to divulge private information accidentally. Also, with respect to job interviews, employers can use social networking to find employees, however, employees are monitoring social networking sites and making hiring or firing decisions based on content. Social networking is a tool that has great use as we've seen but can also have great harm such as bullying.

I think social networking is here to stay. I think it will always have a viral effect because it empowers the user for good or for bad. However, it's a form of communicating that empowers the masses and is causing significant shifts in advertising, media and society as a whole.

I think in the future, your public social life will have as much weight if not more with respect to your character, habits, etc. compared to your personal private persona. Your public life will be the real you that people judge you buy. Say goodbye to privacy!

Readings:
1. Social Networking Technology Boosts Job Recruiting
November 22, 2006 2:40 AM ET
Frank Langfitt
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6522523&sc=emaf

2. How Obama Tapped Into Social Networks’ Power," by David Carr, The New York Times. November 10, 2008; at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/business/media/10carr.html