This post is going to be such a Debbie Downer...but reading Fatdoor Blog's , I can't help but comment on this hope that social networking will have the following applications:
"- Neighborhood social networking. While sitting at home using my PC or driving around my neighborhood with my cell phone, I can identify and connect with people on my street who share common interests. Neighbors I may not know have a choice to make their profile available to me and others in our immediate neighborhood. If an elderly neighbor needs help moving furniture, I can find out about it on our neighborhood social network and volunteer to lend a hand.
- Educational social networking. Students, teachers and the community at large participate in school-based systems that match school assignments, activities or needs with individuals inside and outside the school who can help.
- Social services networking. Using a cheap wireless device, an abused spouse or a person recently released from prison can be linked immediately to a variety of services in their area, including temporary housing, counseling and employment support. Before they even show up at a social service agency, they could access information about the best person to talk to (based on reviews from other clients) and know what services are available in real time without having to wait or be told to go somewhere else.
- Street-smart social networking. Rather than handing over a quarter, a passerby can assist a homeless person using a one-click system that identifies local services or electronically transfers money to an account at a local grocery store or restaurant."
Maybe in an ideal world. But it seems so often that people are unwilling to help out a stranger, let alone a stranger you encountered online. To join a Facebook group and maybe donate a quarter is just a bit different. Maybe I'm just a bit pessimistic today, but I think people would much rather throw money at a cause than give up time, get up and do something, especially for a stranger, in a "Pay in Forward" kind of way.
But on the large-scale, I think social networking has the capability to unite do-gooders, and communities. But to expect someone to notice that your neighbor 2 floors down is moving out, and then proceed to actually help that neighbor, who is a virtual stranger - is kind of odd to me. I think people just have apprehensions, and different comfort levels with that. But to join a cause, and table on the quad to raise awareness about the genocide in Sudan...that seems more understandable.
I think the most revolutionary thing about all these social networking sites is the potential for change in general. The wealth of information. Tapping into the brains of everyone from Joe Smoe to CEOs. Quickly exchanging thoughts and ideas through IM, etc. Maintaining old contacts and making new. By expanding networks in general, we have strength in numbers, and the potential to change.
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3 comments:
Idealists (shudder). The practicality of Fatdoor's Blog is unfathomable, but the theory is nice. Flaws in the system and people's willingness to do what is written is very unlikely. Maybe i'm also being pessimistic, but this is the real world and (unfortunately) few people give change.
And depending on what the person looked like moving out (or better yet, in), would be a big determinant in helping them move ;). Haha, just kidding.
I don't like agreeing with Mike, but I will agree with you. It does seem a bit odd. What I feel is troubling is that it makes social action lazy. I mean if people want to be helpful and do something for the greater good than they need to be doing something. I think that raising awareness on the web will only do so much. Of course more people will know about different programs and opportunities, but does that mean they will really take action? I'm not sure.
There are probably people out there that are willing to help others no matter what. These sites are a good way for finding out new ideas on how to assist others. If it weren't for these social networking websites most people would be unaware of these services, personally I had not heard about any of them before this class.
I am reluctant to think that a vast majority of people are going to go through with them, but I might be wring. Again, there are all kinds of people in the world.
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