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Have Social Networking Sites Lost Their Intent?

Time:2010-03-09 18:17:09 Source:Ezinearticles Author:Torry Trudgeon

It seems that in order to maintain user interest, many social networking sites supplement with the use of applications such as Mafia Wars or FarmVille. On the surface, applications such as this, though very effective in driving user interest have cast a shadow over the intent of the site which is people connecting with people.

There is however the argument that these applications contribute another dynamic to connecting people via their shared involvement in the application itself. This argument is valid. It does however add truth to intent being lost relative to the dynamic itself, and the effect it has to the level upon which people are connecting with each other depending on the application, and it ultimately changes the user perception of the overall concept of the site.

A great example of this is the "Hot or not" or "Are you interested" application(s) These applications are very indicative of a site that does not have a solid platform to aid in connecting people who may have otherwise never met. It is a quick fix for providing a venue to which people can effectively bolster their friends list, but it is significantly one dimensional while diverting attention to a more speed dating type atmosphere.

Don't get me wrong; this type of application has taken some social networking sites from complete obscurity to superstar status among the ranks of social networking. The point here though is that the site's intent has been dramatically altered to a degree that the site has now found itself in a different niche all together, playing ball in a market shared by dating sites primarily. Not to say that there is anything wrong with that, but the fact still remains; the intent has been lost.

So the question then is; can a social networking concept connect people who would have otherwise never met on a multi-dimensional level without either jeopardizing user interest or site intent, or relying on applications to keep users coming back?

The answer is; quite possibly.

The secret is to use the theory behind a message in a bottle as a means of connecting people. This could be the solution in terms of maintaining interest while providing a solid foundation for others to connect. The key components in assuring this is randomness, exclusivity and choice. Included would also be the staples of social networking such as profiles which can be individualized and edited in terms of privacy and security, messaging between friends, I.M. and status updates. The completely new dynamic that would be integrated is the platform to which people connect and the ability to incorporate audio and video into messages, as well as the ability to individualize letter pages to either reflect the author, or the letter itself.

So how would a concept like this work?

You must first create a message. It could be a simple thought, a poem, a story, or the lyrics to a song you've written. The possibilities are endless. Once you have finished your message, you cast it off and it will be received by someone at random. For every message you send, you will receive a message. For those who have received a message, there are three options relative to what you may do with it.

1) Respond and send directly back to the original author
2) Respond, and cast it back for someone else to experience
3) Cast back for someone else without a response.

Once the message makes its way back to the original author, they will be able to see who contributed to any responses, and will have the opportunity to invite them as friends. It is then up to the individuals invited to either accept or decline. The author upon receiving their message back also has the option of making their message public for other users to read.

This, of course is a brief summary, but it does have the potential to change the course of social networking, and create new open field for market share and advertising potential as the content parameters are endless.

Torry Trudgeon is the founder of thoughtide.com. To Torry, Thoughtide represents an experiment in virtual social movements by posing the question: If you could write a letter, seal it in a bottle and cast it into the sea, what would it be? The hope is that people will have a platform to which they can contribute to making a difference by sharing experiences, beliefs, and most of all, perspectives in a manner that allows people to share with many, but one person at a time. The result will be communication, media, and connection on a more intimate level with people you would otherwise never met.

Thoughtide is currently under construction, but for more information on thoughtide.com, you can check out the following link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/thoughtidecom/279768615504

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Torry_Trudgeon

Torry Trudgeon - EzineArticles Expert Author

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