Keep your blog off my social network
Ok,
It should be of little or no surprise that I work in the land of the internet. This is something I’ve passionately pursued for quite a long time now. I’ve always leaned towards the social aspects of the web…the direct communication with others and the ability to broadcast whatever it is you want to the whole world…Selling things and advertising things are not much interest..As they only serve 1 direct purpose and it is almost always a one sided experience. They tell you. The “you” in that situation doesn’t matter.
As someone who spends almost all day on the web, I’ve learned what holds my interest and what doesn’t…typically it’s either social networking or blogs…facebook first, then twitter, then tumblr, then a combination of Hollywood crap (TMZ, Perez) Industry or news blogs…then movie trailer blogs…then repeat the entire list in pretty much the same order..
That being said there are many common elements of all platforms I visit, yet there has not been a compelling enough presentation of them that has grabbed hold of the internet audience and emerged as the next transitional point in the expanding online world.
Why?
Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Youtube, Flickr, and Tumblr all allow you amass friends, fans, or followers. (I’m sure platforms like blogger etc. also do this, but I’m only going to speak on what I use or know) Each has its unique (I’m being kind with that word) approach to the types of interactions users have.
Many operate on the one to one or one to many principles. (i.e. Direct Messages or comments) Some (Tumblr) don’t have any direct means of communication, but their entire platform is used to interact (re-blogging).
Each seem to have captured the interest of millions of people yet none combine the unique elements of each into one property. In most cases people maintain a presence on more than one site and bounce back and forth between each. I was very active on Myspace and Tribe 5 years ago, Facebook replaced that within the last 2 years and tumblr and even the desire to blog are somewhat newer.
Yet I wonder why Blogs and Social networks have never melded in a way that a large user base took to them.
Myspace’s blogging platform it’s a terrible mix of bad UI and overall presentation. Facebook has none, Tribe had none, friendster had none (when I left anyways). Tumblr and Vox allow limited user interactions but with a robust blogging tool set. Buzznet has journals and I know they are somewhat popluar but the focus on the site is more music then journals. But Buzznet is somewhat a niche site then a facebook or myspace.
This being said, what prevents the 2 from merging? Is it the limited user contact that blogging sites have that allows people to be more expressive? Would it be too much for one site?
I’ve been thinking about this all day. I kind of consider this a work in progress too..already edited it once.
