This week's reading pertains to a brief history of social network sites as well several issues brought about by the prominent use of these sites.
As defined by Boyd and Ellinson, there are three necessary components of a social network site. First and foremost, the user must be able to create a profile of some variety. Secondly, the user must be allowed a means of maintaining a list of contacts whether they be friends or professional acquaintances. Finally, the user must be afforded some way to browse the profiles of others and interact with other users. As stated by Body and Ellinson, the first web site that presented this set of characteristics was sixdegrees.com, which allowed users to browse each others profiles beginning in 1997. Shortly thereafter, the three aforementioned characteristics began to show up in prominent web applications such as AIM, Match.com, QQ, etc. The site which really brought social network sites to the public eye was rapid growth of myspace, which launched in 2003 and continues to be one of the most prominent social networking sites around.
After having outlined a brief history of SNS (social network sites), Boyd and Elkins outlined several areas of study as it pertains to social network sites. The first is the concept of impression management as it is dictated by the creation of one's profile and one's online social interactions. The viewing of profiles create "public displays of connection" and thus impression management depends largely upon the nature of the user profile. There are two conflicting views upon this issue as one author suggests that there is a complex system involved in the management of an authentic profile while Boyd suggests that an authentic "real" profile can never exist in an SNS. Despite the idea that "fakesters" on SNS sites will never cease to exist, most social networking sites continually work to encourage their users to provide accurate and truthful profiles.
Another area of study examines the idea of bridging online and offline social interactions through SNS sites. The author argues that recent trends, such as vast popularity of facebook, suggests that online connections are made in more ways then one. Of course, one can still meet someone online at a site like match.com and bridge that connection off line. However, a site such as facebook provides a different approach to creating this bridge between offline and online activity. The authors note that most users of facebook who friend each already share some sort of off line social connection, whether it be a shared class or perhaps chance meeting at the library. Even if these existing relationships are weak, a SNS can strengthen this offline activity through online activties such as adding messages to someone else's wall or through small gestures such as poking or giving small online gifts.
1. The issue that I found most interesting was the idea of impression management on an SNS websites. Do you believe that an authentic "real" profile can really exist as an accurate means of describing yourself on an SNS. What qualities must an authentic profile have? Furthermore, do you believe that a profile is as effective as a 5 minute conversation offline? Why or why not.
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I think that profile accurately portraying oneself can exist, but they are very hard to come across. In order to accurately portray oneself, I think that it is necessary to display one’s strengths and weaknesses, which is something many find hard to do. In order to display a “real” and accurate profile, the person cannot be afraid to admit to behaviors or features which they might find odd to have. For example, if a person gets annoyed really easily when other people tap their fingers when bored, they shouldn’t be afraid to admit it. A helpful feature for online profiles might also be to have anonymous friend testimonials, where friends write up a brief description of someone’s personality. Something that might also help a profile seem more authentic, is including different activities accomplished by the person. Actions speak louder than words, so if someone claims to go hiking, but never do, it is a more accurate representation of the characteristics that make up a person.
I think a profile is more effective than an offline 5 minute conversation. In a 5 minute conversation, not much can be said, and we are not accustomed to summarizing ourselves. When we self-disclose information in person, it is a gradual process. Therefore, in a 5 minute conversation, it is very unlikely that someone will have shared their true colors. Likewise, we argue that online profiles are molded into what someone wants to appear to be like, but if it a conscious effort of theirs, they are likely to act, having that same ‘mask’ in the superficial encounters you have with them.
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