links for 2008-05-04

• The Fragility of Social Networking - Columns by PC Magazine
  Guess what? That online community you belong to isn't real and will likely be either imploded or irrelevant before long.
  (tags: socialnetworks)
• Indiana Holiday - New York Times
  There are few things more satisfying than taking a strong stand in favor of something that is never going to happen. Free pander!
  (tags: politics policy 2008election)
• Even the Insured Feel the Strain of Health Costs - New York Times
  For millions of people with employer health insurance, premiums and co-payments have increased quickly while coverage has become less extensive.
  (tags: healthcare insurance economy)

Comments

[Kim Pearson]

"Fragility is never factored in?" I think that insults the intelligence of this columnists' readers. I know that it insults my intelligence. It's not as if he's the only person who participated in early USENET groups or had other opportunities to learn that people aren't always who they say they are online. That's why so many Facebook users were turned off when they opened up to everyone. It's why Linkedin says over and over, "Only connect with people you know." The writer treats social networks and their users as if they are a monolith. With all of his experience, he should know better.

[Maria Niles]

Thanks, Kim for this interesting perspective. I hadn't thought of of it that way. And it's not as if offline social networks cannot suffer from the same problems.

I was struck by remembering a listserv I had belonged to in the 90's which fizzled out after two of the most active participants turned out to be impersonating their personas. That lack of authenticity destroyed the network. But even if specific networks or tools that facilitate a network fall away, them members of the network can regroup, reform and parts of the network can continue to persist. I think a recent post from Lynne d. Johnson is an excellent example of that http://www.lynnedjohnson.com/diary/the_real_rock_stars_of_black_blogs/