Wow- I really like this concept- I think it holds true. I also like your 3 categories of friends. My online group is probably the smallest, but then again a lot of my old time friends are on facebook. Group 3 friends are the best though. However, i have my extended "village" in the real world, which kind of falls into group 2, with out the online bit.
Really well written article- the ideas gel.
Christopher S. Penn
· 2 years ago
It's true - there's a different between social networks and social network software.
Morning Chris, When I first met you, I had no idea that you had such a huge village behind you! Then as I started following you here & on Twitter your comm became apparent. Watching you direct it all is intriguing (and I erased 'manage' - because you skillfully don't).
And I give you all the credit in the world for personalizing your interactions - THAT is a gift that all of us need to take note of & emulate.
You inspired me to write this post last night & it goes hand in hand with my new role as a Community Manager & the responsibility that comes with that. You are truly an inspiration. And it looks like you're going to be at the Facebook conf in Dec? so I will get to meet you in person then! :)
Good one, Chris. It made me think a lot about the importance of the word "village", and what it implies. Wrote a bit here: http://xrl.us/6gso
Thanks for making me think on Saturday morning.
Joanna Young
· 2 years ago
I found the village concept useful Chris, thanks.
Your post has also helped me think through Liz Strauss' question on the difference between on-line and off-line relationships - which is one that I found hard to answer, and am still pondering...
Joanna
Rick Mahn
· 2 years ago
Very interesting take on Steven Hodson's point. I'm intrigued by your "friends" classification - I believe that this is one failing point of the social networks that could be reworked to better effect (which is inspiring for a post in itself).
The "it takes a village" theme is true (even if it reminds me too much of Hillary), the interaction of a group brings fresh, differing opinions and points of view. For me, it helps teach me new things and presents new ideas to ponder. It helps each individual get a better understanding of the people we interact with and is the path to building friendships rather than acquaintances.
Regards, Rick
Steven Hodson
· 2 years ago
besides the fact that when I first saw the title of the post I had visions of Hillary on a pulpit I do have to say that after reading the post over a few times I do agree with the "social" as a software idiom rather than as a communication one; which raises an interesting question - are developers of this type of software; whether it is on the web or stand-alone facing the web being sociall responsible when they release products that are so easily hacked into or gamed?
As for the village concept itself I'm not sure. I some ways this strikes me as more of a game of semantics than anything else. Social Network vs. Village ... hmmm .. not sure.
Rebecca Rachmany
· 2 years ago
Although it seems rather similar, needing your "friends" on facebook because they might know a database programmer is rather different from knowing your neighbor because you need to borrow a cup of milk. People have always had a large range of loose associations. Social media certainly makes it easy to keep track of them (You never have to try and recall where you know someone from or what they do for a living). Still, it is of a very different nature from loose associations in the real world.
marshal sandler
· 2 years ago
Social Media gives us all a chance to collect our thought's and grow from the dialogue of others, since we don't see things as they are we see things- as we are ! It is nice live in a villlage with kind people, expressing kind thoughts ! I agree with Rebecca the real world can create loose associations !
Matthew Cornell
· 2 years ago
This is an insight that's been brewing in my mind for a while. Not just "it takes a village," but "I *have* a village!" With it comes (paraphrasing Spidey's uncle) great responsibility.
Nicholas Butler
· 2 years ago
Hey there Chris I remembered your post here and thought I would bring to your attention a example of people building social communities online through just those things you discussed.
All Comments
Really well written article- the ideas gel.
Here's my take on it from Philly:
http://blip.tv/file/374879
When I first met you, I had no idea that you had such a huge village behind you! Then as I started following you here & on Twitter your comm became apparent. Watching you direct it all is intriguing (and I erased 'manage' - because you skillfully don't).
And I give you all the credit in the world for personalizing your interactions - THAT is a gift that all of us need to take note of & emulate.
You inspired me to write this post last night & it goes hand in hand with my new role as a Community Manager & the responsibility that comes with that. You are truly an inspiration. And it looks like you're going to be at the Facebook conf in Dec? so I will get to meet you in person then! :)
http://conniebensen.com/blog/2007/09/22/women-u...
http://xrl.us/6gso
Thanks for making me think on Saturday morning.
Your post has also helped me think through Liz Strauss' question on the difference between on-line and off-line relationships - which is one that I found hard to answer, and am still pondering...
Joanna
The "it takes a village" theme is true (even if it reminds me too much of Hillary), the interaction of a group brings fresh, differing opinions and points of view. For me, it helps teach me new things and presents new ideas to ponder. It helps each individual get a better understanding of the people we interact with and is the path to building friendships rather than acquaintances.
Regards,
Rick
As for the village concept itself I'm not sure. I some ways this strikes me as more of a game of semantics than anything else. Social Network vs. Village ... hmmm .. not sure.
grow from the dialogue of others, since we don't see things as they are we see things- as we are ! It is nice live in a villlage with kind people, expressing kind thoughts ! I agree with Rebecca the real world can create loose associations !
http://www.crawleyonline.org/portal.php
Its managed by John Bowers ( A Facebook friend of mine ) who has been building a local social community over time.