Facebook Makes Another Twitter-Like Move

AdAge by Ian Schafer: Starting Today, You Can Make Status Updates Public.
Facebook just took another shot at Twitter.
Starting now, you can publish status updates not just to your "friends" on Facebook but to everyone. That means your status updates can be visible to not only those in your social network but those who aren't and, maybe even more importantly, Google, Bing and every other search engine that indexes Facebook pages and profiles.

Well that shoots the sacred Facebook privacy rules to shit
2 ways to look at this:
1. FB, darling, what are you doing honey? It's like you don't know who you are anymore. You just trying everything like a Madonna and end up losing everyone's respect.
2. Interesting FB, very interesting. Adapting twitter like updates that are global could create a better understanding in this microblogging medium.

2 questions though-
how does everyone look at everyone else's updates?
And does FB think they can overtake twitter?

The problem is, not everyone wants to know what everyone else is saying. That's why Twitter only works for some people. And FB is a totally different type of user experience- a little bit more involved and I think that's why so many people like twitter more, they only have to expose a little bit of info, not the whole shebang.

Let's see how this unfolds, but I don't think it will be causing too much concern

Let's remember the good songs shall we:

Gays and Lesbians Love Social Networks

Emarketer: US gays and lesbians are using social media in fabulous numbers.
According to a May 2009 Harris Interactive poll, gay and lesbian Internet users were more likely to be social network members than straights—55% of them were on Facebook, versus 46% of heterosexuals, and the differences were similar for MySpace and LinkedIn, too.

Ummm, no surprises there!
Social media flourishes when the individuals participating are so passionate about something that they want to connect and find like minded individuals.

e.g. Cyclists love talking to other cycle freaks, shoppers love talking about the best shops they've found and the best bargains. It's only natural that homosexual men and women would want to connect with other homesexual men and women. I also hear that the pick up scene in these communities is off the charts. Apparently is takes one look and all bets are on. If only straight people could behave in such an easy and uncomplicated manner.

Mad Men Characters Conduct Online Survey

Adrants:
As part of his research project "about the future model of advertising" for thesis work at the Berlin School of Creative Leadership, AlmapBBDO Creative Director Sergio Mugnaini created a Mad Men-themed online research survey that's very cool. The survey takes scenes from Mad Men and dubs the survey questions right into the scene. Way more interesting than page after page of plain text. Ingenious, actually.

This survey is a little ripper!
Certainly the best online survey I ever did!
Asking the questions in video, dubbing with entertaining parlance. I laughed, I answered the questions honestly and in my opinion the survey finished too quickly. Is this the way of future online research? Because it damn well should be!

Online research is so blasé. Click here, click there, make a little pattern. I'm just trying to get points to have free sms at the end of the day. There is no impact in the survey. This one could have almost been a form of communication I am so affected and impressed by its delivery....

Bliggity Bloggity Boo

Starved of the blogging, I return.
I am completely unsure how people work, tweet, post and have a complete social life. It simply cannot be complete. Or social. Those silly people in the top 41 must not have social lives. Clearly.

However, let's begin, shall we?

Issue 1: Tossers who tell you what to say on Twitter

Sorry? Since when do social retards tell other people how to be social on a social network tool?
Is social networking the place where all social retards go and feel accepted? It may be because no one can see their actual awkwardness and they can snuggle up in cyberspace.

I digress.
The only people who really don't understand how to use social networks are marketers. Something happens and they forget their human abilities and how to talk to people. They sometimes need a bit of a refresh that human tone is not something to discard.

Quite frankly, all those things that are mentioned in the post about what not to mention are actually interesting, IF i'm interested in what that person has to say. I'd love to know what new song my music aficionado friend is listening to and whether anyone bumped into the "Shape Shifter" on the 6 train again (...a story for another time).

Twitter, like Facebook and MySpace is not for everyone. Some people will respond to the format, others won't. And people will in general use the medium differently- as people do. It is obnoxious and arrogant to suggest what people should or shouldn't say on a social networking tool. Be fluid, do what feels right. Like high school, those who appreciate you will, and who cares about those who don't?

Issues 2 and 3 will appear later this week.