Comments on: Facebook is a Fad – But So What?

By: WildBlueSkies

WildBlueSkies — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 19:13:27 +0000

I agree, not only do social networks serve as a means to socialize online, but the more niche ones, such as the ones based around hobbies,
http://www.wildblueskies.com/2007/07/20/are-hobby-social-networking-sites-the-solution/
serve as a place to meet and interact with people with on a common platform as well as to share knowledge and experiences. Though the way we network socially may change (may become more mobile centric for example), but it’s here to stay.

By: lkribs

lkribs — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:37:03 +0000

Hey Mike –

I’m a newbie here, but I agree with Justin, a “fad” sounds hollow, and more negative than not.

The examples you gave to define a “fad” have been graced as vintage to our society(hula hoops, yo-yo’s, even ‘hot or not’)- a Fad gains great momentum quickly, and then forgotten with the same speed.

Except maybe pleather…

By: C2162

C2162 — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:35:05 +0000

Everything Facebook does, has been done before in different kinds of web platforms. It’s “just” an ingenious combination (=innovation) of features that people like to go crazy about. I can just admire how fast Facebook has spreaded, and how people have taken it to use – be it just for fun or business. Though, if some other social networking service should do better what Facebook does, people might move there, as quickly as they came. You’re right – there is more to this phenomenon than just the boom of one particular service, this is the way people (have learned and) want to use the web.

By: Roberto Saavedra

Roberto Saavedra — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 14:27:50 +0000

This doesn’t make sense. Just a few days ago a read an article that was flowing through digg that stated Microsoft was going to be investing into Facebook and now I come across this article. If they don’t get social networks and Web 2.0 then why invest so much that they are going to own about 5% of Facebook then? Is this a lesson on how to run a social network so they can improve their offerings? This really strikes me as odd.

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 21:00:40 +0000

Labeling something as a fad has become something of a “dirty” word in our cultue, but Facebook exceeds what the typical fad is. Putting it in a category that tie-dye shirts might be in is wrong.

By: Ryan Blain

Ryan Blain — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:40:34 +0000

I agree, and I think you make a good point. I look at Facebook as similar to AOL a few years ago. They’re doing it right for their time but things change. And the internet changes even faster. I think any application/website/social network/etc can grow and adapt but will they do it fast enough to keep up with whatever the next “Facebook” has in store for us? We’ll see…