Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2008 > December > 22 > Entry
Facebook filters into real life, Part 2
For Part 1, see post below…
Second-generation social media, however, begins with the premise that you want to spend sustained time with a particular, thoroughly identified person. You must “invite” or “accept an invitation” to share the virtual space. These are no mere digital passers-by with a common interest. They are “friends” or “colleagues.” Or in the case of the slightly more intense Twitter, “followers.”
You trust them. They trust you. At least for now.
A year ago, I joined LinkedIn, an entry-level digital group, safe for somebody over 50. That’s because it’s built around resumes, recommendations and introductions, much like any white-collar social exchange. Its very stiffness and formality encourage a degree of social trust, almost always deserved.
Then, years after it ceased being a college rage, I joined Facebook last summer at the urging of independent publicist Brenda Thompson. I recognized immediately that Facebook’s organization and aesthetics soundly beat out MySpace, which I’ve used for years to track musical acts.
Less than six months later, I count 1,047 Facebook friends, which shocked 25-year-old real estate wiz Matt Shaw. “You’re 54 and you have a 1,000 friends?” he shouted a recent party. “I started five years ago in college and that’s how many I have!”
My excuse: I am the newspaper’s social columnist.
More to come…
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By Jeff Kirk
December 23, 2008 12:41 AM | Link to this
"Second-generation social media, however, begins with the premise that you want to spend sustained time with a particular, thoroughly identified person."
I'm afraid I have to disagree there. I get Facebook friend requests on a daily basis from former high school classmates. I grant all of them, but I don't think any of us reasonably thinks we'll start spending time together again, except maybe at the next reunion.