That’s actually a great point, Jon. I do have memberships to a few of those communities, but I agree that there’s a feeling of frustration that I can’t more easily integrate all these separate “identities” together. I’ve been working recently on my internet searchability (I have the same common name with both a well-known wrestler *sigh*, and a well-known Computer Science professor, so I’m sometimes hard to find), and this is a related issue. How do I link what is known about me (both on the Net and in various closed networks) with me?!
Jon– Saying you are already a citizen of the Internet is a little glib. Sure, I already speak in English, but I use a keyboard to communicate with a computer because that specialized input gives me benefits. I hypothesize that none of those social networks has yet given you something you want enough to join. However, I believe that someday one might.
I do agree it would be better if a protocol (e.g., RSS for blogs) tied us together instead of a particular system. However, a system is easier to control and get started. Protocols are very amorphous.
> I use a keyboard to communicate with a computer because that specialized
> input gives me benefits.
But if you could just talk to it, you prefer that.
Still, your point is well taken. A friend recently told me that he considers LinkedIn to be a productivity tool. Unlike me, he prefers to operate in the context of a network that is not publicly discoverable. The general-purpose Internet doesn’t (yet) afford that option. LinkedIn (and others) do. For some people, the benefits of multi-network membership outweigh the costs.
That’s actually a great point, Jon. I do have memberships to a few of those communities, but I agree that there’s a feeling of frustration that I can’t more easily integrate all these separate “identities” together. I’ve been working recently on my internet searchability (I have the same common name with both a well-known wrestler *sigh*, and a well-known Computer Science professor, so I’m sometimes hard to find), and this is a related issue. How do I link what is known about me (both on the Net and in various closed networks) with me?!
Comment by Ken Kennedy — October 25, 2006 @ 5:25 pm
Jon– Saying you are already a citizen of the Internet is a little glib. Sure, I already speak in English, but I use a keyboard to communicate with a computer because that specialized input gives me benefits. I hypothesize that none of those social networks has yet given you something you want enough to join. However, I believe that someday one might.
I do agree it would be better if a protocol (e.g., RSS for blogs) tied us together instead of a particular system. However, a system is easier to control and get started. Protocols are very amorphous.
Dan
Comment by Dan — November 13, 2006 @ 5:07 am
> I use a keyboard to communicate with a computer because that specialized
> input gives me benefits.
But if you could just talk to it, you prefer that.
Still, your point is well taken. A friend recently told me that he considers LinkedIn to be a productivity tool. Unlike me, he prefers to operate in the context of a network that is not publicly discoverable. The general-purpose Internet doesn’t (yet) afford that option. LinkedIn (and others) do. For some people, the benefits of multi-network membership outweigh the costs.
Comment by jonsradiocomments — November 13, 2006 @ 6:39 am