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Earlier today, a regular contributor on BrazenCareerist.com asked the following question, “Is Social Networking Making Us a Superficial Society.”
Well, let’s start at the beginning:
The definition of Social Network according to Wikipedia is:
“a social structure made of individuals (or organizations) called “nodes,” which are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.”
Nowhere does it mention the internet, computers, Twitter, Facebook or any other forms of technology based network communication but for Generation Y, the oft-cited term has evolved to include more than just face to face interaction: it has reinvented modern interactions and transformed communication.
Friendster, MySpace and Facebook have taken the meaning and implementation of networking to an entirely new level.
Moments ago I started looking at different social groups on Facebook and randomly chose one: “Stop Pounding After a High-Five.” It contains 170 members. Using arguably the most prolific offering of modern social networking, I was able to see EXACTLY the tie that bound the group before I entered the room. If it were a classroom, boardroom or any other place on the physical plane, there is a good chance (ok, not really) that I would have given one of them a “fist pound” after shaking hands thus jeopardizing any chance I had of fitting in the group, no doubt branding me an outcast and catapulting my career in the wrong direction. (ok. again, not really).
The evolution of social networks, from occasional in person interaction to constantly updated electronic platforms have given us nothing less than X-Ray vision into the minds of others. This semblance of a prescreening process allows us to research and react to a possible peer’s interests, hobbies, religious beliefs, and political affiliations… before we ever meet them. It’s a bit like playing go-fish and being able to see what everybody else is holding. If I am looking for 4’s, I know exactly who I am going to ask for 4’s. The information that is accessible to us through social networks has unprecedented value (even more so than those lucky 4’s!). It offers efficiency. It offers time. It offers opportunity.
More opportunities exist today than ever before, but more possibilities to pursue ironically equals less time in which to attack each. Every advantage should no doubt be put to use in this Catch-22-esque climb up the corporate or social ladder. So put on your x-ray specs, because having the ability to screen someone’s’ personal traits doesn’t make us superficial: it makes us super-efficient.
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Comments
02.04.10
You're making one big assumption here: that we know what we want. In a game of Go Fish, it's easy to say that you need 4s, but our social interactions are infinitely more complex. Not only that, but what shows up on Facebook is seldom an accurate reflection of who that person is - it's what that person wants us to see, based on what they think will make people relate to them and like them.
Of course that perception can be wrong too, and it turns into a kind of nesting dolls situation where we're all looking at flattering self-portraits of one another. I'm not disputing that the information on social networks has incredible value and presents opportunities that have never existed before - but it has to be said that you've always gotta consider the source.
02.05.10
Brian,
Thanks for the comments on this topic, however, I do not believe that our social interactions are more complex.
Think back to the key ages of your life so far, let's say 6th grade, 12th grade and your college years. Can you say that you never once stereotyped a person or possibly made a superficial judgement based on your initial encounter with them? When I pull up memories from those times from my life, all I can think is how superficial and judgmental we all were. We never saw what was on the "inside" of one another because our judgements didn't allow our interactions to get deep enough to see what really was in front of us.
Social networks allow us (if we so choose) to proactively put our best foot forward. By doing so, we are able to show, and tell the world about ourselves in ways we want to be seen and heard. Online social networking doesn't make us any more superficial than we are naturally. It provides a safe space for us to shine the preverbal light where the darkness of judgement sits.
-Bear
11.24.10
By doing so, we are able to show, and tell the world about ourselves in ways we want to be seen and heard. Online social networking doesn't make us any more superficial than we are naturally. It provides a safe space for us to shine the preverbal light where the darkness of judgement sits. Inspirational Quotes
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