Do social networking websites make us more social?: LiveSimplicity discussion forum

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Do social networking websites make us more social?

I've been invited to a few social networking sites by friends and coworkers in the past. Some sites are purely social while others are a way to network professionally with people in the same industry. Do these sites really make connecting with people easier and do they even work?

View A

Social networking sites are a fad. They are quickly replaced by sites with more or better features. Most sites last a year or maybe two if lucky, then fade away. It's difficult to make any real connections on these sites as a result.

View B

Social networking sites provide a valuable tool to interact with individuals you may not have had contact with otherwise. It allows users to connect more both personally and professionally.

4 comment(s) so far

BigCheez thinks: Social networking sites are based purley on buzz and popularity. Many come and go depending on what new features they might add to their sites or what groups they target. As a way to find friends or work, I think it is lacking although it is a great way to find people with your same interests if the site is focused on such.

ztyler thinks: I think to a certain extent, it works, but it provides no long lasting connection. Most of these sites help connecting people a bit in the short term maybe for the purposes of finding a job or to gain clients, but these sites have shown to not last over time. They become popular for a short while until something better comes along, just look at Friendster and how it was surpasses by MySpace. In the next year, my bet is that yet another site will come along to replace MySpace.

charlie thinks: Strangely enough, most people feel that their online friendshis are just as fulfilling as real world relationships. Social interaction on the web has grown exponentially over the last few years, but I still ave a hard time believing these online relationships have the depth of a true friendship although I can see the value of being involved in a community of people who have the same interests as yourself.

ca thinks: There can be great value in social networks if used properly. The participants must have something in common and be willing to contribute to the community in order to make it truly successful.