Topical Tuesday #21
Topic :: Social Network Sites
Since their introduction, social network sites (SNSs) such as MySpace, Facebook, Cyworld, and Bebo have attracted millions of users, many of whom have integrated these sites into their daily practices. As of this writing, there are hundreds of SNSs, with various technological affordances, supporting a wide range of interests and practices. While their key technological features are fairly consistent, the cultures that emerge around SNSs are varied. Most sites support the maintenance of pre-existing social networks, but others help strangers connect based on shared interests, political views, or activities. Some sites cater to diverse audiences, while others attract people based on common language or shared racial, sexual, religious, or nationality-based identities. Sites also vary in the extent to which they incorporate new information and communication tools, such as mobile connectivity, blogging, and photo/video-sharing. (via)
Big news at the moment still, and subject to a great deal of discussion – both pro and anti. Whats your opinion?
I like social networking sites, but I don’t necessarily join every single site that pops up; I stick with the major ones like Myspace and Facebook. Social networking sites are excellent tools for networking of all different kinds: bands can attract new fans, models and photographers can attract new clients, people can interact with people that they have haven’t seen in a while or might have gone to school with, etc.
One thing I cannot figure out is why people my age and younger find the need to post pictures on their Myspace and Facebook accounts of themselves and others smoking, drinking, funneling beer or doing keg stands, and other stupid shit… and despite the warnings that colleges and universities are apparently looking at Myspace and Facebook profiles as apart of the application and decision making process. Seriously, how fucking stupid can you be?? Things like that piss me off on a personal level because when a portion of the group posts those kinds of pictures, the whole age group runs the risk of being stereotyped as irresponsible and immature.
That mini-rant aside, overall I have to thank Myspace for two major things:
1. My current boyfriend. I knew Josh “offline” before I started dating him. I went to high school with him, and I knew a lot of his friends and even knew a few people that he dated. I occasionally saw him around town, too. After we met up at a friend’s house, he managed to find me on Myspace not that long after. We exchanged phone numbers and hit it off from there – and our third anniversary is coming up relatively soon. 
If it wasn’t for Myspace, I probably wouldn’t have started talking to him on a regular basis, exchanged numbers with him or started dating.
2. A source of cash. Working for clients acquired through Myspace has been an excellent source for some quick money and a good way to keep my design skills in shape. A lot of people seem to like what designs I make for their Myspace profiles and otherwise, and I am always trying to find more clients via Myspace and through the people I have worked for. It is a great feeling to be able to network with models, small business owners, etc. and provide them with designs – Myspace and otherwise – that they like and that will promote them in their fields.
The bottom line? Myspace and Facebook aren’t bad at all. They are excellent networking tools when they are used responsibly and effectively.
From: Topical Tuesday
Tags: meme, Topical Tuesday, tuesday
General 
July 29, 2008 10:00 am
