Putting the 'Social' back into 'Social Networking'

[jackofallgeeks]

So, here's a review of a new "social networking" site called BrightKite.
Unlike 'typical' homepage-style sites (most obviously MySpace) which keep
things virtual, BriteKite is geared towards spreading the word about actual
events in your area and lends itself towards actually meeting new
people.

Now, of course, I have to stop here and talk a moment on the 'dangers' of
the internet. With the whole crack-down on pedophiles with accounts on
MySpace there's something of an underlying current of fear and
paranoia about the Internet. I remember not but a few years ago my mom
cautioning me about chatting online late at night, saying only weirdos are
up that late. They aren't weirdos, mom; they're British. There have been a
number of news articles lately that talk about how the Internet is *not* as
dangerous as people think it is (for example: most predators don't use
social networking sites to find prey, which is probably smarter: you can't
be traced as easily if there's not a digital record of your activities), and
even at that the danger is when you do something foolish like go to
meet someone.

I can see that becoming a concern for people using BrightKite -- it's
blurring the lines between meeting someone online and meeting them in
person, because it seems to lend itself specifically toward that. And while
a healthy level of caution and prudence is always advisable
online... The fact of the matter is, most people are decent folks.
People go out to clubs and bars and whatever all the time, and bad
stuff doesn't happen constantly. When it does it makes the news
because it's out of the ordinary. Most people use a measure of caution when
they go out, though, and I think that this should extend into networking
sites like BrightKite. But that's all you need -- caution, not paranoia.

Comments

[jackofallgeeks.livejournal.com]

No, I think the first one rolled off the assembly line in 1993. they haven't changed the model much since then, either.

I didn't know there WAS an Internet when I was in high school. and that was, what, 10 years after you?

[readiness.livejournal.com]

Agreed. I've met some awesome people online. (Some weird ones too but I was smart enough not to give out my address/phone number/meet if I had any uncomfortable feelings etc)