What need is being met by social networking?
By hofferp
@hofferp (4734)
United States
February 23, 2010 4:56pm CST
It still amazes me that social networking keeps growing by leaps and bounds. Even businesses in today's world have to have social networking capabilities. I just haven't been able to put "my finger on the tremendous growth of this medium". Sometimes I think it's nothing more than a fad, something like the "pet rock", but then I find even more social networking sites? What is it...what need is being fulfilled...by social networking?
2 people like this
9 responses
@renaissance2010 (249)
•
23 Feb 10
Online communication is not a face to face thing so perhaps it provides a way for otherwise insecure people to communciate behind the comfort of a computer screen. Also it's free basically and instant.
1 person likes this
@lakerfanster (2577)
•
6 Mar 10
Social Networking for me has become so much more than just keeping up with my friends, It's about meeting new people with similar interests, I have heard much more about my favourite artists latest news on Facebook than I have on any Entertainment or Showbiz site. Another thing that is so great about Social Networks is the ability to Network with people and promote your business.
@lakerfanster (2577)
•
6 Mar 10
Thanks, I run a local music promotion business with a mate and we have a profile on facebook which has over 700 friends so I think it can help a local business for sure as there are a few hundred people on there who we have not known and have added us after going to one of the gigs or word of mouth from friends.
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
6 Mar 10
On MyLot I would have to agree "it's about meeting new people with similar interests". But on FB, e.g., I just have the same friends/family/acquaintenances I've always had, and I can just as easily e-mail or call them. I've actually only picked up one new friend on FB -- a guy running for the 2nd Congressional District in NM. I have signed up as a fan of one business, but... (Laugh) I guess my friends don't have a clue about music, favorite artists, Entertainment, or Showbiz, all they talk about is the snow, rain, picking up the kids after school...and Farmville (or whatever it's called)...oh, and Mafia Wars. Now, I put my home-base business on FB, but again, the only ones who've become fans are people who already know about my business. I guess I can hope that they have a friend or two or three who will become a fan of my business... But I don't know that even if they become a fan that they'd ever become a client, which is what I would want? I guess I'm not convinced, but I'm glad it's working for you. (I told my sister she needed to put her real estate business on FB. She asked me why? And I couldn't come up with a good answer. I guess that's what started this whole discussion for me.) Thanks, Lakerfanster, for a positive comment.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
28 Feb 10
I am amazed that Facebook virtual population amounts to the third country in the world. It is growing at a fast pace and a lot of users make use of this social network site amongst others. I perceive social networking as a modern means of gossiping. Instead of opening your window and gazing at what is happening outside, modern virtual computer internet users just log on facebook and have the latest hot news what their neighbour, friend, colleague or sibling is doing. I find social networks a bit awkward and personally I have suspended my account.
Recently the Chief Magistrate in my country issued a declaration that magistrate and social networking are incompatible. A local journalist has put some photos taken from facebook of a local magistrate. She was partying with her friends. She was doing nothing wrong, but the journalist allegations can harm her reputation.
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
6 Mar 10
When I was posting this reply there was a heated debate on the radio. So I must admit that I borrowed this phrase that social netowrking sites serve as a "Modern means of gossiping". As you well have written here, employers can search online for a particular user. Sometimes Facebook can speak louder than any qualifications that you might have got or more than the neatly CV that you might present.
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
6 Mar 10
"Modern means of gossiping", an interesting thought. I had to warn my nephew the other day about his posts on FB. One, his Grandmother was now on FB and was reading them, and two, potential employers are Googling, Facebooking, MySpacing, LinkedIning, etc. to see what kind of person you are when you're not interviewing. Fortunately, his language has cleaned up and he is watching what he posts. What you post on any of these social networks, including this one, can come back and harm you -- your reputation. And once your reputation, which takes years to build, takes a hit, it takes forever to get it back Careful MyLotting and thank you for your response.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
26 Feb 10
Some social networks are quite different from others, and I will never understand what people see in FaceBook or MySpace, for example, but the fascination myLot holds for me it that it provides little mini-breaks from other online work and a bit of insight into what people from all over the world are thinking, and also a lot of interesting information about diverse things that we might not read, say, in the newspaper.
Also, although it did not seem at first as though the pennies in myLot earning would ever add up to much, now that I've been here a while, I get kind of a kick out of finding a little "Lunch Money" in my PayPal account every few months.
But I must say I think of it more like a Furby than a pet rock, because it is so interactive 
@lakerfanster (2577)
•
6 Mar 10
$2.43 Is exactly what I have today. I have already received a payout so this is my second. Hope you stay around here.
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
6 Mar 10
Thanks! I'm finding I'm spending a lot more time on MyLot than I ever envisioned. I may have to respond to that discussion I saw earlier about "addiction". I tell myself I'll get off at 9 a.m. and then the next thing I know it's 11:00. Or I'll tell myself, I'm going to respond to an even number, like 350, and the next thing I know I'm at 352, so you know I have to keep going to 360, but then I change the rules again to 12 a.m. BUT this time I really am going to quit after I respond to all those who responded to my discussion... Maybe? Thanks, again, Lakerfanster!
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
6 Mar 10
Sorry, I didn't get back to you sooner and thank you for your response. I'm also on Facebook (never tried MySpace) and I'm not sure why I continue to check my account... I'm not in to any of the games and the conversations are "silly" most of the time. The one thing I do like is seeing the pictures and videos people post. In a way, I wish we could do more of that here. (Maybe we can and I just don't know how to use it.) You are right about MyLot providing "a bit of insight into what people from all over the world are thinking...". You don't get that on Facebook or I just don't have friends from all over the world. Since I've only started MyLot and have only "earned" $2.43, I'll have take your word on the "Lunch Money". A Furby, huh? I never had one of those... Thanks for your comments.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
26 Feb 10
I think the answer is in the question. Social is the answer. people love to interact with others with their same interests and talk/type for hours about it. i used to spend most of my day wasteing time on myspace. most of the time my friends did not even respond to questions i asked them only a few times. thats why i say "used" to spend most time on it. since i found mylot i very seldom go to any others. mylot is by far a much better social site then any. the others really should consider the insintive of paying some pennies to get people to interact and it would be as enjoyable as mylot
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
6 Mar 10
As I noted above, I've never had an account on MySpace. I have a Facebook account, but I don't check it very often. (It would appear, by the amount of time I took to respond to your response, I don't check my MyLot account every day either. But I do. No one responded to my discussion the first couple of days, so I stopped checking my discussion. I just wrote it off as something no one wanted to discuss. I guess I was wrong. That's my long-winded excuse/apology for not getting back to you sooner.) Based on the amount of time I'm spending on MyLot, I would have to agree, this is a much better site. Is the answer to my question as simple as people want to be social -- "interact with others..."? It's beginning to look like it. Thanks for your response.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
6 Mar 10
you are welcome. it seems that some subjects have already been covered so much (like this one) people hesitate to answer it right away. i have this thing that if someone responds to my discussion. i must imediately go to one of theirs
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
10 Mar 10
I do those things, but not everyone has family or community connections. Social networking is also about networking, not just socializing.
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
1 Mar 10
I joined one to see why people rave about them... it doesn't really do a lot for me to be honest. I haven't found anyone from my past and the "friends" I have are mainly work colleagues and people who I could more easily, either email direct or pick up the phone. I guess it works for some people but, i think there are a lot of people who seem to have given up "real" life in favour of a virtual existence. maybe its just an updated way of living in a fantasy world?
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
6 Mar 10
That's how I feel about FB. It really doesn't do anything for me. I know my nephews, nieces, sister-in-law, etc. are on it, now, but I could just e-mail them or pick up the phone and call, if I really wanted to talk. And if I really do want to talk, I do e-mail/call, because I don't want everyone seeing our discussion. MyLot is feeling different. I'm talking to strangers about habits, feelings, beliefs, etc. I don't even talk to my family about. Fantasy? I'm not sure, because I am telling the truth. It's just I'm telling the truth to a bunch of strangers from the U.K to China. I guess I'm still wondering, why am I doing that? Thanks for your thoughts, Wizzywig.
@louisefrank (356)
•
28 Feb 10
I don't really understand it at all. I have a Facebook account but hardly ever look at it. A great-niece persuaded me to join because she wanted me to see some photographs she had posted. Now a load of my great-nephews and nieces are my "friends", plus a load of past and present work colleagues and various other people. I find it quite odd that the teenagers don't mind if their ancient great aunt can read all their postings! They're quite funny some of them and mainly completely trivial. They seem to be of the "do you know so and so fancies you?" variety, or "French was really boring today." I think for young people they need to feel included in everything. It's a validation of their popularity. I suppose for older people it's one way to keep in touch. I have been contact with a couple of former work colleagues. It was nice to catch up but, let's face it, if we'd been that close at work, we would still be in touch anyway!
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
6 Mar 10
I hear you! It was my 25-year-old nephew who convinced me, and my mother, we had to be on Facebook. I've picked up a lot of "friends" on FB, but the discussions are -- I used the word, "silly", you used a much better word, "trivial". I just don't get much out of the "discussions", if you can call them that. I do like to see the photos and videos, though. But if you come right down to it, I could e-mail my friends, if I wanted to be in contact. I love your comment..."It was nice to catch up, but let's face it..." That's exactly how I feel. Have a great day, Louisefrank!
@aauecon06 (204)
• Philippines
30 Mar 10
I think it speaks for its name. For social and networking. Its a good way to expand your network as a business man or a starter in business plus it can provide socialization to others whether its your friends or just online. Some social networking sites also provides games for fun which meets those who likes to play online games :)
