As social networks get more media coverage, at least online media
coverage, we can probably expect quite a few ‘the sky is falling’
items.
From a Linkedin discussion group - My Linkedin Power Forum - comment I went to check out an article in Business Week Online’s TechBeat blog, with the intriguing title ‘Are Social Networks Broken?’
After a short intro to the concept of social networks, the article
poses the question: ‘How do you facilitate social interactions without
annoying users, big time?’
Fair enough question - I’m sure that would be a concern of the
owners/facilitators of any reputable social network. But watch what
happens.
To illustrate the relevance of her question, the author goes on:
Increasingly, social networking sites are being bombarded with complaints. Just check out this post.
The author, Adam Kalsey, talks about how he keeps on getting invites to
link up to other members of LinkedIn.com social networking site. The
problem is, he has no idea who the people inviting him to join their
group are.
So if you are a member of Linkedin, as I am, you might be
concerned. But hold on a minute! What does Adam Kalsey actually say in
his February 1, 2004 (news?) post? He says
I’ve been invited onto the friends lists on Orkut and
LinkedIn by several people that I don’t really know. I know who they
are, but I wouldn’t exactly call them my friends.
So he does actually know who they are, but he wouldn’t
exactly call them his friends. Hmmm. And, without getting into a
lengthy discussion about grammar, how did: ‘I’ve been invited…by
several people…’ become ‘…keeps getting invites…’?
I’ve no objection to people criticising, on the basis of sound evidence, the way some Linkedin members might
operate - with over 2 million members who would expect every one to
behave impeccably? But I think what the TechBeat blogger
Olga Kharif, has done, doubtless with the best of
intentions, is to exaggerate somewhat the original, seventeen
month old observation by Adam Kalsey .
Not fair to Linkedin or to the concept of social
networks generally, in my view. It’s what Australian journalists
would call ‘a beat up’.
[I notice that my friend Dave Taylor on his highly informative and thought provoking Intuitive Life Business Blog also comments on
the TechBeat piece. He provides some broader contextual observations
about social/business networks and comments on his own positive
experience of Linkedin.
Des, June 15, 2005]
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Bad Behavior has blocked 1908 access attempts in the last 7 days.
I have been invited to join LinkEd In by two people. Neither were “friends” and both had networks that I have been able to participate in.
Worth the work for me.
Reg Gupton
Des - we seem to think alike and if I could only write with your clarity.
I agree with you 100% and your observations are dead center as far as I’m concerned.
Bill
Reg
It’s pretty clear to me that the author of this piece missed the point about Linkedin. Glad you joined. The Linkedin Bloggers group is going well if you want to hang out with an interesting mix of seasoned bloggers and newbies:
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/LinkedinBloggers/join
Des
Thanks Bill
In the compliments department, I aspire to your level of connectivity and prolific productivity!
Des
I find that my pixel ad site has become a social network now that it’s become full of people that do internet marketing and all know each other. A great place to come where we can all see how many different home business opportunities there are. I am adding now urls that have some sound business advice also, just free ads because I want my site to be a useful internet tool as I think this blog is. It has become like a small home business social meeting place!! I’m adding an ad for this blog! Thanks for reading this and please come see it!!
Meg