It is uncertain what the future will bare, and some people don’t get it, but Social Networking seems all the buzz these days.
Whatever your opinion, it sure does have the attention of millions of people, VCs and search engine companies (i.e. Google) alike, so it will most likely have a future or lead to something even bigger. Here is an article from the Financial Times on Google being ‘among suitors pursuing YouTube.’ Reportedly they are offering $1.5bn to $1.6bn. This is facinating to say the least!
This is a business model with tens of millions of people (understated) providing constant content to Social Networks (e.g. MySpace, Flickr, Digg) on the web. The sheer volume of participants and global virality of the web suggests that this is a very real phenomenon. Will it become a perpetual “reality tv” like program open to the planet, with interactive qualities rather than just pushing content? Is this the permanent digital archiving of our lives that will be a lasting memory of what we did, liked and thought about and will somehow be repurposed? Only time will tell. For now, it has a critical mass of participants, financiers and new products and will be around for at least 2 years in its current form.
Just think what the obituaries might be like in 60 years?
“Bob was a pioneer in internet social networking anthropology with breakthrough research in understanding the evolution of man’s and woman’s cerebral need to be in the matrix. He is survived by his wife, two dogs and bookmarks on Digg and del.icio.us…”
LOL
Jay,
Glad you enjoyed my post over at BFD on Social Networking. I wish I could explain away CEO’s writing this trend off as them not using email but in my experience they are very connected.
Where I think they have trouble grasping the concept is with “user-generated content” dynamic (i.e. putting the consumer in charge). But then again, I’ve also sat in many a marketing/board meeting where the merits of a consumer strategy has been discussed and then I ask the question, “Have we asked our customers what they think?”
I’m no genius but every time everyone is like that’s an excellent idea. Anyway that’s the only way I can explain the writing off of a trend like this.
I love you idea of thinking ahead on the obit. What a great startegy for trying to think a head about where all this will end up. Gamsnake.com is the only real local social networking play I know of and a great one. It would be nice to see NEO get ahead of the curve on social networking but I’m afraid the local money will write it off until it’s old news.
I look forward to meeting you some day.
Hi Douglas,
Yes, I enjoyed your post. Gamesnake is pretty cool and it would be nice to see more people coming into this space in NEO. I am not sure local money would right it off if the team went to the right high schools, their Dad’s served on the right boards, and they at least half the team has an MBA. Access to capital is not easy anywhere and different rules apply in different places. Above capital, NEO needs more people that will and can get going anyway; we need more people who are entrepreneurial and innovative.
Likewise, I am sure we will run into each other soon.