A Social Commentary on Social Networks

Social networks have been around for awhile now, or at least when measured in in internet years (Friendster launched in 2002, MySpace and LinkedIn in 2003 and Facebook in 2004).  I get LinkedIn and I like it.  It is a great way to perform virtual networking at a speed and volume that would not be possible before.  It also is a great resource to share targeted information with people in your industry, to look for jobs and to keep in touch with colleagues present and past.

I only dabbled in MySpace to check it out but found myself joining Facebook to, primarily, keep an eye on my 14 and 11 year olds.  But the longer I was on Facebook, the more people tried to “friend” me.  I understand why, on LinkedIn, someone who I may not know, but is a contact of someone I know, may want to expand their network.  And I do this also.  But I do not understand why someone who either barely knows me or never was a friend of mine would want to “friend” me on Facebook. Why would they want to read posts meant for my friends or look at pictures of my kids?  Why would they want to see posts from my kids or my friends?  Is Facebook creating the ultimate voyeur environment that was started by the reality shows like MTV’s ‘The Real World’ and has sunk to new lows with ‘Jersey Shore’ and ‘Keeping Up with Kardashians’?  Am I too old and don’t get it?

 What’s your opinion?