by: Lynette Webb
Danah Boyd is one of my favourite researchers in the field of online community and social networking, I love her style of writing. This quote comes from a paper she wrote explaining why MySpace was different to Friendster, and in particular, why she believes MySpace isn’t going to go the same way and be superceded by another site – at least not in the short term.
I like this quote in particular because it puts into simple words part of the attraction of these sites and why they consume so much time. It’s not aimless surfing and messing about, it has a purpose.
With regards to Myspace’s longevity, she says: “It is possible that "growing up" will be marked by leaving MySpace (both for the teens and the 20-somethings). It is also possible that getting on MySpace will be marked as "uncool" by the next generation (in the same way that fashion changes across generations). Feeling spammed and invaded by advertisers (or musicians) who seek friendship might turn off users and an increase in this could cripple usage. It is possible that the site will stop evolving with its users. It is possible that people will find new, more interesting ways to do identity production and sharing. It is also possible that the next blinky shiny object will attract users away in clumps, particularly if they better support users’ desires in an innovative way. But none of these are right around the corner”.
You can read the full paper here:
From www.danah.org/papers/FriendsterMySpaceEssay.html
Image CC www.flickr.com/photos/beija-flor/12341694/in/photostream/ thanks to carf.
Carf stands for Children At Risk Foundation and, among other things, they run the Hummingbird Project in Brazil which rescues street children, which this photo is from.
They’re running a fundraising drive on Flickr to which you might like to donate.
Here you can see what your donation goes towards: flickr.com/groups/hummingbird_xmas_2006/discuss/721575944…
Here’s the link to donate: www.carfweb.net/gift_certificate.html
Original Post: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynetter/329997192/
