This recent Dilbert comic made me laugh, but also made me wonder if many people believe that it’s true. We know that we’re spending more time online now than ever before, especially with the growth of social networking sites. In fact, it has been suggested that internet searches for porn have been overtaken by social networking.
We’re a plugged in society, ordering the internet-to-go with us now on laptops, PDAs, Blackberrys, iPhones (iPod Touches as well), and any other device that can catch a signal. Do you find it hard nowadays to go an hour without checking your email or Twitter stream. Admittedly, I know I do, as one who has been fully connected since the age of 12.
Still, my thoughts are trekking back to this comic strip. Do we value the internet more now than we do the outside world, and well, real people? Perhaps, but I’m going to make a case for those of us who have been interested in the Web 2.0 phenomenon.
Social networking, social media, web 2.0 – whatever you want to call it, is about creating community. It doesn’t come easy, however, as you have to be willing to invest a lot of time. (It can cost money, too, depending on your intentions). If you really dig deep you can meet many interesting people from all walks of life. But, the thing about the internet is you can be whoever you want to be, right? True, but I’ve found that for every person who isn’t always truthful, there’s dozens more who are as real as possible.
We all have different reasons behind our interest in social media. For some, it’s to make money. Others are communications or tech professionals who want to understand more about how SM can help grow their organizations. Still, some people just want a conversation – to find a group of people who have similar interests and share experiences.
We can have all of that with a click of a button and a few strokes on the keyboard. What we’re seeing now, however, are things like tweet-ups, PodCamp and so many other meet-ups because people want to take these relationships offline. They’re not interested in hiding behind a computer screen. It’s a suggestion that relationships are very much real and meaningful to people offline as they are online.
So, here’s my answer: There are aspects of the internet that are interesting, but I think that what it ultimately does, in this day and age, is lead you to far more interesting people.
I agree with you , Internet is still superficial as far as communication is concerned . Its people who are way more interesting than the internet , but sadly there are more and more people who have started believing in the opposite
Your blog is compelling and well-written. Why have I not stumbled on it before?
In answer to your question I’m finding that the Internet just opens you up to way more people from all over the world. It’s like a great big gigantic party. A man I dated recently wasn’t nearly as interesting as most people i meet online.
@Abhishek – I agree that there is some superficiality involved, but it doesn’t mean that there aren’t deep, more meaningful conversations going on every minute. People look at the internet as a means of escape, especially in this uncertain economic time. Social media serves as a getaway, in a sense, but you can tell there are many people who are looking to relate to each other and connect for all of the right reasons. It’s funny how some of the worst things bring people together. BTW, I think I saw you’re from Mumbai. Hope you are safe right now. My thoughts are with you and everyone there.
@Chris – The great thing about social media is that we make new discoveries every day! Right now, I can tell you that I’m up to 759 items in my Google Reader – way behind! There are so many more interesting things out there I need to read after I get through all of this. I like your thought that it is one giant party. We all come bearing something different. As far as the man you dated, I’m sorry he wasn’t interesting enough. As I stated before, we can go back and forth about how people don’t have to be honest online and I think that was very true of Web 1.0, but with the advent of Web 2.0 and all of these social tools, we’re finding that more people want to discover what’s out there and share their true selves. I think it’s a pretty interesting, exciting phenomenon and am glad I can share it with y’all.
@Jenn Schooley: Yes I totally agree with you on that one..Social media and social networking plays a vital role in some way or the other .Yes I’m from Mumbai and I’m safe but really upset at what happened.Watching news all night and day is quite upsetting. In Mumbai attacks, social media played a very important role as the situation was on for like 50 hours people were twittering latest reports of what had happened and this helped a lot of people in many ways.Btw this is an awesome blog keep up the good work !