Have Social Media & Social Networking Broken Up?

by Ct Kingston · View Comments

Social Media dumped Social Networking! Like many relationships, the jilted party never saw it coming. Which prompts the question, What kind of person has Social Media become?

From what I’m gathering of late, it remains the broadcaster, but has become the overly serious type, loudest in the room, and the most eager to embrace the latest tragedy. Seemingly, so it can be the first to explain why it, Social Media, was instrumental in the cure. And perhaps it was. Was it?
arrowI’m not singling out any individuals; let’s discuss the thousands as one, that one is named Social Media. I don’t mean to harsh on SM’s mellow, but from where I stand, it appears SM often falls, failing to truly engage the community — by talking at us instead of with us.

Has Social Media become a perpetual navel gazer?
It chatters incessantly about itself and how it works and how to make itself work more by working more to talk about itself and exactly how it could be working even more to talk about itself… And how!

SocialNetworking
Unlike Social Networking, its estranged significant other, Social Media is not hanging around “to have any fun.” It lurks almost exclusively to “inform.” Information is a great thing when it’s something we need to know about. Ya’Know? Social Media’s thirst for knowledge keeps it lingering around, last to leave every event. Perhaps that’s a lucky thing for when SN reawakens, at its leisure, after nursing the pesky info-hangover, it gets talked at again regarding all details missed while absent.

It’s no wonder a wider demographic would rather be around SM’s cousin Social Networking since there’s only so much seriousness a person can take. Occasionally SM and SN get on thick as thieves, but not as well as they used to. Somehow along the way they’ve parted ways. From a rational eye view it’s hard to conceive this rift.
BrokenHeart
How in the world can it be possible for SM to take the lead over SN? No offense but not that many people have a thirst for SM’s tsunami of knowledge. Curiously it is Social Networking that enabled Social Media to get where it is today. Ah but we’ve all seen that before, someone using another to climb the social ladder then swiping away the ladder so they can be on top, all by themselves, appearing as if they got there by a miraculous flotation device.

If I didn’t work in/with Social Media, I doubt I’d pick up the phone when it calls. But SN has all my numbers and we communicate with ease and always have… I do value my Social Media friendship, although it feels we’ve become nothing more than co-workers. I wish for Social Media and Social Networking to mend their differences and return to the once beautiful rapport that spawned the information age.
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I was interviewed on this topic by the good people at Social Blade CLICK HERE for more info

Or watch the show below:

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Tagged as: broadcasting, community, engagement, Social Media, social networking

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  • davidtereshchuk
    Such penetrating insight ... a return to broadcasting by (at least the louder mouths in) social media ... ha! Given me lots to chew on mentally. Will be watching streams more carefully from now on. It's almost like a takeover by social media of social networking, as you say. Interesting to hear at SxSW today that Evan Williams of Twitter sees his utility as an information network, not a social network. So did Sir John (later Lord) Reith, founding father of the perpetually paternalistic BBC.
  • Thank you David. That was very interesting at SXSWi when Ev said that... I wonder if it's part of the reason people left in droves? Haha
  • davidtereshchuk
    Lazily just caught up with your reply, Christina. Still remember, though, all those droves leaving Ev's session. I personally blame (as do a lot of others I spoke to then and since) the oddly insufferable Umair Haque. Trust a Harvard Business Review guy to ruin a good interviewing opportunity ...
  • I'll be honest. I have a difficult time really distinguishing the two sometimes, probably because I'm knee deep in both. What I see from an overall perspective though, is that the mediums we use to connect and interact are consistently evolving, yet still keeping a similar function. We want to know what our friends are thinking, what they're doing, what they did. In college, I did this through AIM away messages. Now, I use Facebook. I guess the difference in my personal life is that I use SN for my IRL relationships and SM for blog-related relationships. A few have crossed over, but I'm still sticking to the separation for now. As an introvert.. it all becomes a little too much for me at times, haha.
  • Jenny hi!
    I like to do the introvert thing as well but SM makes us extrovert it. Oy... I guess that's a good thing.
    It does become an overload and rather quickly, agreed.

    "I use SN for my IRL relationships and SM for blog-related relationships"
    You strike a good balance.
  • Personally I see SM and SN as the difference between business and pleasure. Whilst they both share similiar traits, one concentrates on the building an audience, the other building the source.

    There is more of an SN lean when the goal is financial gain, although without SM it's harder to market.

    A crossover is evident, they rely on each other more and more, but not enough to say they were ever an item. I imagine they probably make out lots.
  • I agree it's the difference between business and pleasure, Indeed-Amundo (read that like Fonzie)
    Your logic is logical. And maybe they have always been "friends with benefits" you may be onto something there! Good to see you Paul.
  • Hmm, interesting take. Think I agree with Karen in that they were never together. Sure, there's social in both words, but think of the two remaining words: media and networking.

    Media could be classed as a medium for sharing news and ideas, so in this respect, social media is spot on.

    Networking could be seen as meeting like-minded people in a similar and comfortable environment - what's safer than everyone knowing each other on Facebook, or Twitter, or Ning?

    So yeah - I think they were never together. But the great thing is you can float happily between the two and be none the worse for it. :)
  • Thanks for the read and comment DB.

    But Danny if the two were never together who would Social Media market to? The marketing of all media can not succeed without the people interacting via email, forums, networking sites and the old stanby, word-of-mouth. It is the social activities of a dispersed community that jump started the Social Media (all mediums) success. And if we nail it down to the social media strategists run rampant on the interwebs today, well they would have empty pockets if not specifically for social networking sites. We could talk semantics and use "medium" but who refers to it that way "socially"? Few. I don't know any "Social Medium Strategists" Again though I am encompassing all mediums.

    The two were together in my opinion. Hand in hand. Once in a "loving way."
    And now they are not. Not in an embracing way by any means, but in a shove it in our face, often bore-us-to-death way. Inundating us all with repetitive information. Most of it having been regurgitated over a hundred times. On the entertainment front there is often something new, almost always and because it's got levity, there is a bit of fun which is something people do need to lighten the load of daily living. And to help break down the other end of it, the overly serious onslaught of news that some really do desire to know.
  • Fair point and one way to definitely look at it. But what is a social network? Is it confined to Twitter; Facebook; forums; IM; Ning; etc? Or is someone's blog a social network? Since you have a collection of people enjoying the platform and each other's thoughts - does a blog become a social network?

    Social media (if that's the term to give it) can be used via a blog to sell product, services, ideas, and even hope. So in that respect, do social networks need social media, or vice versa?

    However you look at it, people will use and enjoy the platforms that works for them and meets their needs at that time. It may be social media (or social networking) today; it may be augmented reality tomorrow. All that changes is the name; the people and the requirements remain the same and become the driving force of whatever's successful at any given time.
  • Thanks Danny. Indeed. Marketing wouldn't exist without the people congregating and Social Networking is the way that they congregated, and the way they still congregate. Thus blogs, some of them, have become a social media/networking hub of humans sharing and exchanging ideas, which is a great thing. Your blog is like that. I still believe email is instrumental and I do consider it a social networking creation. It was my introduction as a kid to all online mediums.

    The people do need information and the internet has become a main source for a large part of the population. And it is a good thing. I agree fully... and I hope one day that all people will have access to
    knowledge at their fingertips. Again thanks DB! :)
  • So true! A sorry state of affairs that can only continue to evolve...
  • Good grief, it's sorry indeed. Heh. Hello Jennifer and cheers to 'ya.
    I hope it'll start evolving again instead of devolving as it is now!
  • Social Media is what happened when the suits decided to pay attention to the fact that people were talking to each other and nobody was making any money directly off of it.

    Navel gazing was the next evolutionary step, once the profiteers realized that they didn't actually understand social networking and many of the networkers realized that with some work they could recast themselves as experts in an emerging field.

    It's like this with all emerging fields, though. There are some true experts and then there are tons of the wannabes.

    Then it matures, the need for experts expires, and it's pretty much all grunts doing daily work and we take it for granted that everyone knows at least the basics.

    In another five years, "social media" will be matured to the point where people will wonder why we ever spoke of it as a "thing" at all.
  • The first comment rocked my frikken world! This one is good too, but I could kill you for removal of the first! *grin*

    You're a great mind, not going to waste. I appreciate every time you spread your brain matter on my comment section like hot butter on a roll. You're really a jewel Scott. A diamond in the "rough"... in this rough, pain in the ass world of persistent ennui, lackadaisical bobble heads... you escape that crowd and bring the intelligent pom poms... You are a thinker... Thank you!
  • I love this, it is right on- until SM matures to the point where we wonder why we ever spoke of it, it seems the wannabe experts are holding the platforms captive as they spew updates about itself, to itself, for itself and consequently, garnering new business. For the less informed, when someone chatters that much about something, surely they must be an expert! right??
  • Amelia, hello rock star!

    I imagine one day we'll probably forget all of it... But by that time we will also permanently forget where are keys are and worse, where the car is!!!! It's here to stay for a long time and perhaps forever. I just hope the verbiage will die down a bit... the verbosity of Social Media is mind numbing of late, and the over saturation of information leaves people glazed over. Less is more. However there are so many aspects to Social Media, well, there will always be more and more and more info shoved down our necks. Luckily some of it is fantastic. Obviously it's very subjective on what is "good" and what is "bad" but a wide majority does feel too much of it ... is too much of it.
  • jeffersonreid
    Pithy and spot on, Scott. Call me crazy, but I slightly preferred that lengthy, borderline-Proustian rant you had posted earlier. :^)
  • I loved the lengthier comment too, Scott. It was absolutely brilliant and heartfelt and not at all a rant.
    People refer to anyone passionate expressing their beliefs as "ranters." That's rubbish. One day passion will
    be praised, because one day the robots will take over and only passion will prove someone is human.

    I've seen too many movies. Also, the robots already have taken over. I guess that's what my whole blog is about anyway. Ooops. Thanks Jeff and Scott!
  • jeannevb
    Fantastic post, Tina! Social Media needs to be the on the next Bachelor... Wonder if he'd give it a rose or push it in the pool? Then again, there's already enough S&M on that stupid show anyway. Or perhaps it should be on The Dating Game with Social Networking as one of the three behind the curtain. I bet he wouldn't pick her and would pick some snooty PR person instead. I'm thinking you should host it and wear that awesome hat of yours.
    Seriously, love the post and your take on the social scene. I've been tweeting since July of this year, and the most important thing I've learned is to chill out and not take the majority of these people seriously. Everyone has an agenda of some sort. Just as in life, the skill is weeding through the "information" and having as eye for the brilliant. You , my dear, are one of the brilliant. xo
  • Jeanne! I have never seen The Bachelor and I'm so glad I haven't, o.m.g.
    Taking the majority of these people seriously is not a good idea, true, but the Social Media realm includes so many Talking Heads in so many mediums. The entertainment end of it is often a joy and I cling to it and would miss it, but the rest of it has truly become a snore. Thank you supa'dupa' super woman for the awesome strokes. As I say, "I'll try to live up to the kudos" -but I'll fail often. ;-)
  • Newly new to social media (2009 in comparison to you, Christina), I assumed social networking is what occurred through social media sites. So now I'm confused.

    I enjoy the Twitter site. I have a FB acct with three friends, who happen to be Twitter friends first. I really don't want to spend time on FB. Does that make me an anti-social networker?

    You have taught me much, introduced me to many, you are the ladder, Tina. I'm on the bottom rungs, close enough to the ground to jump off, should things get shaky. So far, I see only love on the way up. Thank you. ox
  • Jenny that's a good point. I'm coming more from the standpoint that the invention of email is one of the biggest "social networking" creations . And I had that well before anything else... Oh and the forums and online groups coming out of Hotmail and Yahoo... engaging stuff back in the day. And of course via email the spammers/broadcasters raced in to bombard us with interesting new developments in science and what-have-you, and such. Now it's all viagra, but so is a lot of things, since society & pop culture has gone limp.
    A site like Twitter is a perfect venue for SM. News can be dispersed rapidly, reaching hundreds and thousands and of course that's a great thing. FB, not so much of that going on. Mostly I see "Hey what's what's up Tina, you going to have a good weekend?" And when I answer that's "my news" put out into the SN media ear but it's not traveling too far. ;) And not very informative. Tsk.
  • Nsedef
    "They were both in it for the money." Truer words were ne'er spoken, Karen. I have to agree w/Tina that SM often drifts into a more pompous, self-important tone than I can tolerate. But like a drug, I come back for more. Thanks for the tongue-in-cheek commentary, Tina. My fave line of yours: "If I didn’t work in/with Social Media, I doubt I’d pick up the phone when it calls." You and me both.
  • Chuckling. Greetings Sedef, you're pounding the nail with the big hammer and the wood goes OUCH!
    Isn't the pompous one of the most annoying traits? Oh and the hypocrisy of it all like when it rattles on about "company engagement" is so important. But companies view engagement as "I'll watch while you open your wallet and give me some." Some of that green.

    Let us both direct SM directly to voice mail this weekend. And then, oy, get right back to it. Pfffft
  • Sure SM can be a bit much. A bit obsessive compulsive, if you ask me, like those bulletins running across the bottom of the screen trying to fill me in on everything happening everywhere in the world when I only wanted to see what the weather was going to be. But at least there is some honesty behind its self-serving insights. The first time I met SM, he warned me flat-out: "I'm here to talk about how great I am. The only reason I tell you about other stuff is so I can follow up the next day to tell you how great I told you about it."
    SN on the other hand... she is a bit of a tart, and dishonest to the core. We had a bit of a fling a while back, so I know. The last time I saw her, she woke me up at 2 a.m. and said she needed someone to talk to. Needed it real, real bad, she said. So I got up, drove across the city, and met her at Denny's. As soon as my Belgian waffles arrived she pulls out this flow chart. Starts telling me how Donald Trump loves me more than Jesus. And that he wants me to be a millionaire just like him.... and brought out this kit for me to buy.... She's a tart, I'm telling ya. Be careful.
  • I'm laughing about the weather channel bulletins. I'll laugh about that all day. Hey how come SM is a man and SN is a woman? Interesting. Very. I always thought they were both androgynous entities, going from male to female, female to male, but we can only tell by the scent of their bullshit. If their BS is sweaty stink, male. If the BS is soothing and more honest in fragrance, that's the ladies. ;)) Whatever, I could be wrong. About the "soothing".

    Donald Trump loves us all. That's a good point. One day he will die for our sins, that's for sure!
  • Ha, i like Jefferson's comments, they always make me laugh. Just like your posts, Tina.
    I offer you this: They were never really together. It was just a huge publicity stunt to make us think they were the ideal couple when really, it was just a well thought out business deal. They were both in it for the money. Only one reneged on the agreement by being the asshole navel gazer that it is, and the other is inadvertently coming into its own and gaining our votes. Think Cruise/Kidman contract/split. The sooner they face truth and go their separate ways, the better.
  • Woah Karen, let it rip! I dig your comments too, you're not one to hold back. No dog-n-pony, soft shoe action from you ever... Bravo. Interesting you bring up Cruise and Kidman. My heart was destroyed when I heard they split. Heh. On a serious note, you may be right that maybe they were never "really together." Not Tom and Nicole, but social media... ok, maybe both.
  • jeffersonreid
    Brava CtK! Too long have the windy torrents of navel gazing flowed tsunami-like into our streams, focusing only on putting the "me" into Social Media instead of interacting with the rest of us peeps. Social Networking can be fun or edifying, but because of more and more Social Media types talking non-stop (while listening rarely) things are becoming way more like one-way TV-style broadcasting instead of an electrifying free-for-all. Thanks for highlighting this interesting schism. And highlighting a schism with humor? Even better. Kudos to youdos!
  • "The windy torrents," funny stuff Jefferson. As Karen said below, your comments always crack me up.
    The "me" in social media is annoying but did you notice the CIA is in there too. I think that's cause for concern, don't you?
  • jeffersonreid
    Sure, I'm worried about the CIA, not to mention the Defense Department, which is now allowing its peeps to use social media. This means that the next terrorist incursion will probably be overlooked because our national "security" analysts are too busy sending each other fruity cocktails on Facebook.
  • Insightful and very articulately written. I agree and applaud your voice of knowledge. Kudos to your reasoning and questioning, Tina.
  • Thanks Krys for the read, the comment and all your help. You've been a great help. Truly...Thanks for your thoughtfulness. Truly!
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