A problem though is how real world social networks operate. People love to gather with a bunch of strangers over coffee or at restaurants but have absolutely nothing to do with each other besides sitting in close proximity.
Everyone wants to design an online social network as if there is all this spirited high brow debate going on at the local Starbucks when in reality it is a bunch of people shoulder to shoulder ignoring each other.
If people really wanted interaction it would be trivial in the real world. Online social networks let people indulge in their want to talk AT strangers. This is absolutely a feature and not a bug of the software.
Even within myself, the idea of a 19th century style salon sounds really cool but I would never show up to one physically. An online salon with more than a handful of people would be cool but it would break down quickly as it scales up past 20 or so participants until it basically approaches Twitter.
Everyone wants to design an online social network as if there is all this spirited high brow debate going on at the local Starbucks when in reality it is a bunch of people shoulder to shoulder ignoring each other.
If people really wanted interaction it would be trivial in the real world. Online social networks let people indulge in their want to talk AT strangers. This is absolutely a feature and not a bug of the software.
Even within myself, the idea of a 19th century style salon sounds really cool but I would never show up to one physically. An online salon with more than a handful of people would be cool but it would break down quickly as it scales up past 20 or so participants until it basically approaches Twitter.