The Economist magazine has a special feature on social networking in the new edition (January 30th - February 5th 2010). Here's an excerpt:
"What will the future of social networking look like? Imagine this: your digital video recorder automatically copies a television show that several of your friends were talking about on a social network before the show went on air. Or this: you get into your car, switch on its navigation system and ask it to guide you to a friend's house. As you pull out of the driveway, the network to which you both belong automatically alerts her that you are on your way. And this: as you are buying a pair of running shoes that you think one of your friends might be interested in, you can send a picture to their network page with a couple of clicks on a keypad next to the checkout counter."
When I first read this I couldn't decide if it was fascinating or just creepy. There is something very Big Brother about these scenarios except for the fact that people willingly share anything on social networking sites. Also, I kind of like the idea that our friends recommendations for sneakers or TV shows will have more influence than ads from the companies themselves.
Read the full special report in The Economist in the library.
"What will the future of social networking look like? Imagine this: your digital video recorder automatically copies a television show that several of your friends were talking about on a social network before the show went on air. Or this: you get into your car, switch on its navigation system and ask it to guide you to a friend's house. As you pull out of the driveway, the network to which you both belong automatically alerts her that you are on your way. And this: as you are buying a pair of running shoes that you think one of your friends might be interested in, you can send a picture to their network page with a couple of clicks on a keypad next to the checkout counter."
When I first read this I couldn't decide if it was fascinating or just creepy. There is something very Big Brother about these scenarios except for the fact that people willingly share anything on social networking sites. Also, I kind of like the idea that our friends recommendations for sneakers or TV shows will have more influence than ads from the companies themselves.
Read the full special report in The Economist in the library.
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