Posted by psych chat on October 28, 2009, at 18:26:20
In reply to Re: tweet / facebook options » psych chat, posted by floatingbridge on October 28, 2009, at 17:49:08
Thanks floatingbridge :)
You know, I'm not "against" those sites or the people who wish to use them. It's not black and white thinking as someone alluded to earlier.
I do think those applications can be a quick and easy way to let all your friends/relatives know what you are up to by sending a comment or two. It's much easier than postal mail! I can see its usefulness for organizations more than "enhancing" social relations. In fact, I think the technology has much more potential than is currently being realized. For example, I could see a twitter like application used in a hospital for the staff to follow patients....Can think of lots of other potential uses.
But that doesn't mean its good for social relations. That remains to be seen - and it is being studied by various researchers. How many people are picking up the phone or spending time with friends vs. how many are sitting behind their computer typing on facebook or twitter, abbreviating their conversations, etc. It might someday prove to be a barrier to interpersonal relations. It will be interesting to see the outcome.
The Obama campaign was very successful using the social network technology. They had a comprehensive website for it. Lot's of detail, forum conversations, and links to 'real' meetings. There was collaboration going on - not just superficial one sentence Twitter-like conversations. There is a big difference.
I think of it mostly along the lines of how Phillipa framed the concept - Facebook & Twitter are used for entertainment for the most part, and as I said, superficial social contact.
To get the best of the technology, it seems it would be more useful to link Babble with non-profit organizations, educational sources, and other mental-health related networks. It just doesn't make sense to link it to Facebook & Twitter - it even seems to minimize the supportive nature of the forum. Encourages or turns it into something to be simply "passed around" rather than USED. And as we are starting to see, it discourages people from in-depth conversations and encourages the superficial style communication already rampant among the social networks. Several people already said they would not offer as much personal support.
Also - just because something is popular, doesn't mean everyone should jump on the bandwagon. I mean, McCarthyism spread as fast as social networks, and it also was partly responsible for the Vietnam War - a war that was known to be unwinnable. Look all the death and horror popularity caused there. Of course McCarthyism died out, well not completely. But for the most part.
I think these social networks can be considered a lot of hype though. Remember how the news media gave so much attention to McCain using twitter? It was so silly. I wonder how much Twitter grew after that. There is so much hype going on - and a lot of it just fueled by advertising and consumerism. Money being the incentive. I'm not surprised at all of the content of the article you posted - about all the 'quiz' applications on Facebook, etc. inserted to convertly collect personal information. There is so much controversy going on with the internet and privacy--so much yet to be resolved. Legislation will eventually follow to somehow protect people from harm.
Of course these are just my opinions.
poster:psych chat
thread:922472
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20090813/msgs/923181.html