Colin, thank you for writing such a in-depth response, I really like it. Writing about a possible future isn't about trying to make the right predictions. it's more about presenting thoughts so that a conversation about it can start. Well done! I totally agree with you that the public conversation will not stop. I focused a bit more on my initial thought that once everyone can interact in a public manner, we might see a move back (or forward if you will) to smaller communities. I should have balanced this a bit more with the observation you just made. An interesting side point to this is that I believe that the mainstream web 2.0 business models (freemium and free ads based)are build for large communities. You need to scale big, to the size of Facebook and beyond to remotely become successful with it, or you need to have a targetted niche community. Once the web becomes more social, destinations such as Facebook become obsolete (not the service, just the portal). From that point on, business models need to deal with much smaller and targeted communities. That will enhance the user experience and provide the user and his friends even more value. Well written response!
Ryan
· 1 year ago
Colin, your post and those that it reference led me to post on how to add value to the conversations that are going to be occurring. I think that to be relevant in the future of the social web we need to rethink how we communicate. Check it out: http://tillingthesoil.wordpress.com/2008/05/22/... Maybe I'm way off base, but our mass communication models are dying, but we have to re-learn how to really relate to one another. Otherwise it's just a system full of noise.
colinwalker
· 1 year ago
Yes, I saw that an you raise some very good points. I'll be interested to see how the series develops. I think we all need a nudge from time to time, so thanks.
Hutch Carpenter
· 1 year ago
Nice synthesizing of Alexander and Julian. I think you hit on something important there. The next generations start with where we are today. I really think they'll supersize their connections, not downsize.
My own personal experience informs my opinion. I'm out here in San Francisco, and I've now got a connection to you over in the UK. To Alexander in the Netherlands (right Alexander?). These are connections I would never have made but for social media. I expect my kids to take that even further, not close the walls back in.
Alexander van Elsas
· 1 year ago
Hutch, no offense, but your kids will think you are an old fart with weird habits by the time they are teens ;-) Do you really think they will even remotely want to do the same things as their dad :-)
Odenized
· 1 year ago
I definitely see myself continuing with Twitter and FriendFeed. These both allow you to target those niche communities you talk about, Alexander. Users need a place where they feel they can belong.
Alexander van Elsas
· 1 year ago
Very true. But while we might find that in Twitter and FF, the next generation will definitely find its own way. They will take part in public interactions, but I am inclined to think there will be a "revival" to much smaller, more intense, and more immersive communities. But hey, it's just my opinion, can't look into the future ;-)
Odenized
· 1 year ago
I am totally with you on that. I think a great feature FF added is the 'Room' because this works almost as a specialized blog component, separate from all the 'noise.'
Julian Baldwin
· 1 year ago
colinwalker
· 1 year ago
I'm glad it's got you thinking and I look forward to your insights as always, Julian. Thanks for stopping by.
madpotter
· 1 year ago
I almost feel like I am sneaking into a private conversation in which my upraised hand has just been acknowledged. I think I my have to blog my comments. This is all way to inspiring and huge. Let me just say a collective muse has been unleashed...
colinwalker
· 1 year ago
Welcome, just don't forget to let use know what you write.
All Comments
I totally agree with you that the public conversation will not stop. I focused a bit more on my initial thought that once everyone can interact in a public manner, we might see a move back (or forward if you will) to smaller communities. I should have balanced this a bit more with the observation you just made. An interesting side point to this is that I believe that the mainstream web 2.0 business models (freemium and free ads based)are build for large communities. You need to scale big, to the size of Facebook and beyond to remotely become successful with it, or you need to have a targetted niche community. Once the web becomes more social, destinations such as Facebook become obsolete (not the service, just the portal). From that point on, business models need to deal with much smaller and targeted communities. That will enhance the user experience and provide the user and his friends even more value. Well written response!
Maybe I'm way off base, but our mass communication models are dying, but we have to re-learn how to really relate to one another. Otherwise it's just a system full of noise.
My own personal experience informs my opinion. I'm out here in San Francisco, and I've now got a connection to you over in the UK. To Alexander in the Netherlands (right Alexander?). These are connections I would never have made but for social media. I expect my kids to take that even further, not close the walls back in.
Here you go...