Cartoon: It's a Big Ol' Blogosphere
Ever have that moment when you wonder if what you're about to post will alienate you from the rest of the online world forever?
I get that sometimes, which says a lot more about my own insecurities and the extent to which the social Web replicates the social dynamics of high school than it does about any real risk. My social network includes some very forgiving, open-minded people... and the online world is much, much bigger than anything I've tapped into so far.
When I think of, say, the Vancouver social media scene, I think of people I know: family, friends, colleagues, clients, dev partners and the like. And yet that's a tiny percentage of my neighbors who are engaged in social media.
Just an example: when I look through the list of the top 100 Vancouver Twitterers by number of followers, I don't recognize the vast majority of names. That tells me that a big conversation is going on (or a lot of small conversations) that I'm not a part of.
Which is cool. It's a big ol' blogosphere, and I can't possibly hope to keep tabs on any more than my small corner of it.
It's also a handy reminder to avoid the temptation of generalizing about the social Web from our own experience if it. For any of us who wants to understand how the Web and the way we use it are evolving and make some intelligent guesses about the future of social media, breaking out of our comfortable little circles and exploring a little is critical.
Facebook
Comments
Subscribe to comments for this post OR Subscribe to comments for all ReadWriteWeb posts
I'm based in a much smaller and more tightly networked city, so yes I do think carefully about what I share. In my world there are likely only two degrees of separation between me and the next person I'm closing a deal with or meeting at a social function.
Besides, it's not necessary to share every tiny detail of my stream of consciousness online. That would spoil the intrigue of meeting in real life.
@GeniusNet @ideegeo @iwmn
Look at how many updates some of those top 100 people have. More than a few on that list used automated tools to build the numbers vs organic techniques. 2 of the top ten twitters in Vancouver have 6 and 3 retweets respectfully if you type in RT @person's name into http://search.twitter.com
So because of the automatic following programs, numbers on followers on twitter are kind of meaningless in many cases. And they may also risk getting banned from twitter because of those programs.
So some of those conversations may not be as extensive as you think
A better metric is engagement.
Rob,
Twitter is one of the places that is constantly reminding me of that also because it tends to expose me to people and conversations that may not be in my normal sphere - online and off. Too many filters can be a blessing and a curse in todays world don't you think?
It's been a great opportunity to continually learn and also meet new thinkers online and in real life.
In other news...a guy told me didn't think he was 'in the right place' to date anyone...then started making inquiries about a FWB situation....
Paul, I can well imagine the situation is a little different in smaller ponds! And I can imagine I'd be a lot less inclined to burn bridges if I still lived in Lynden, or had moved to be with family in Bancroft or Perth.
Fair enough, Pete - I knew as I was writing that Twitter followers is a poor proxy for participation in conversation. But given that these little essayettes are basically glorified cartoon captions, some compromise is probably inevitable. The trick would be to find a single URL that can capture the top conversationalists in a given geographic area. Suggestions? (And even given that a number of those Twitter accounts aren't exactly engaging, there are a lot of those users who actually are actively conversational, and whom I just don't know.)
Cyndee, I agree -it's one of the reasons I've followed more people than I can reasonably keep track of; I've traded thoroughness for serendipity. That said, David Weinberger's fantastic piece on echo chambers from a few years ago gives me some comfort about my smaller conversational circle.
Thanks for the comments, all!
A single URL to capture the top conversationalists in a given area? would be nice to have but I don't think there's anything out there that does that. Don't get me wrong it's a great cartoon. There's some people who are worried about getting metaphorically kicked out of their local or interest based (tech/politics/sports etc) inner circle of social media, and some create entire businesses by being contrarian.
What do you think are the taboo topics people in social media in the Vancouver area are afraid to talk about?
1) Can't believe you are not on the top list of Vancouver. How big is the darn city? Amazing. 2) Can't believe you have insecurity since I happen to think you are brilliant, and am pretty sure I am not alone. But then again, since yours is a "professional" "business" account, I reckon you have more to lose, so to speak, if anything you say on Twitter, etc, backfires/offends. 3) I am incognito because I want to be able to say whatever I feel like saying on the Blogosphere. Even with that, I still worry about people who don't know me 'cause I don't want them to having a negative opinion of my fake-and-therefore-true persona. This whole social media thing I reckon would have gotten Ervin Goffman oh so excited if he were alive today. 4) Your cartoon proves yet again my suspicion that some of the Tweeple would only DM me but never @ me in public 'cause they have an image to maintain and they can't be seen conversing with the wrong crowd. So more than content you need to worry about... Joy, eh?