got the message? describing social media | shuaism

It is useful to consider the culture of different social media sites in terms of everyday scenarios. This really helps to demystify the uneasiness that exists around new media. Shuaism blogger Josh Peters shares his take on social media, and this is what he got:

Twitter – It’s like a large cocktail party and everyone brought their computers. Everyone is sharing pictures, videos, articles, links and there are discussions constantly going. You can follow any of the conversations / people you find interesting and just ignore the rest.

FaceBook - It’s a bit like a big house party. You show up and the first thing you do is find someone you know and then they introduce to people they know and so on. There are people playing games in different rooms of the house, people are holding groups discussions and the whole thing is ran by a very attentive host that tries to introduce you to new people and games or activities to enhance your experience.

MySpace – It a lot like High School. The profile is much akin to your high school locker. Pictures of your friends, bands, books, all the stuff you like is plastered all over the front and people decorate them in often gaudy expressions of themselves. There are “study groups” where you can discuss things you like or don’t like, a place to play games and even find some of the businesses you like getting involved. This is a very ME based site but don’t disregard the value there. If this is the crowd you want to target then it’s the place for you.

LinkedIn - A business mixer / meetup. People are exchanging their opinions and advice on business and what’s happening. Q&A sessions and group discussions on business issues are being discussed, and you can leveage your contacts to meet more contacts.

Delicious - Your own personal refernce library filled with the information you’ve ever found useful and you can share it with other people, organize it and network with people who are interested in like subjects.

via shuaism

Brilliant huh?!

If you’ve ever tried to describe the concept of a social media site like facebook to your parents, boss, relatives or friends – you’ll understand how its a bit like explaining them the social complexities of a foreign culture. Although understanding applications like facebook comes second nature to myself and most of gen y, I’ve found the entire concept of social media completely mystifies the older generation. They just don’t – or won’t – “get it”.

Many people don’t realise just how closely the concepts that drive successful social media follow – and build in – the patterns and impulses of normal social behaviour. Social media simply enhance existing forms of social interaction in the new medium of the digital environment.

To bring social media like twitter, facebook or linkedin into perspective it helps to present them for what they are – online tools that function to extend and enhance various aspects of social life in a new medium. Got the message? (the medium IS the message)