Dr. Beer's article begins by addressing the title of SNS (social networking sites) used in boyd and Ellison's article. Beer states that this title is not clear enough in defining the sites it encompasses. I agree with the concept with the idea that these sites are not used so much for networking. Facebook in my mind is presents the illusion that we have a vast social network of friends and acquaintances. In reality, how many new friends have we made because of Facebook? These social networking sites have enabled us to increase our amount of socializing, not necessarily networking. However, the problem I had with the beginning of this article was the author's argument that the title SNS did not "fit the parameters of its definition" (519).
The author argues that we should to a more umbrella like term such as Web 2.0. I believe social networking sites is a perfect, self defining, title for these sites. Rather than focusing on a better title, to help make analysis more defined, I believe researchers would be better suited to spend their time talking to users of these sites. Ten minutes talking to a class like ours, would answer so many of the questions about what type of site Facebook is.
The second point I found interesting in this article echoes part of Camille's posting, how SNS is changing the face of friendship. I personally do not believe that the use of Facebook is changing friendship, but I could be wrong. I am curious as to how SNS could or is changing friendship. Having people under the title of "friends" on Facebook who might only be mere acquaintances in reality, might be viewed as a change. However, does being friends with someone on SNS change the way we interact with these individuals face to face?
Comments (1)
I agree that social networking sites is a fine term to use for sites like facebook and others. These sites are started with an idea in mind but users like us know, they are constantly changing in order to both keep up with other networking sites as well as be more entertaining to those using the site regularily.
Posted by Maggie Bodenlos | March 24, 2009 1:05 PM
Posted on March 24, 2009 13:05