Facebook Anti-social?

Here's a copy of my EventLoud blog post: http://blog.eventloud.com/2011/12/06/facebook-anti-social/

 

There have been a number of amusing advertising campaigns recently that highlight the paradox of online social networks.

 

 

 

 

These campaigns remind us that being social is all about getting out and experiencing life in the world, not sitting alone in front of a keyboard. No doubt Facebook has changed the way we interact with each other in a powerful way, but we all smile at these ads because there is an element of truth in the underlying message. I know there are times when I need to decompress and hang out alone. It’s part of my nature. I call it isolating and I don’t consider it a bad thing. The funny thing is that when I’m isolating my Facebook usage increases dramatically!

 

Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy Facebook and I have been able to connect with people I hadn’t seen in 30 years.  But I also know that when I’m living life in the real world, my Facebook posts are a lot more interesting, I’m more engaged and certainly a lot more social.

 

Last week I posted a blog entitled “Meet People, Not Women” (http://aspiring-gentleman.blogspot.com/) that discussed ways to build your romantic network by finding group events and activities. The premise is that the more you expand your social network to include more casual relationships the better chance you have of meeting a potential partner. It’s important to get out and live life and meet new people, engage in real-life activities and try new things. You are more interesting when you do things than when you “socialize” in the virtual world in front of your computer.

 

The introduction of EventLoud Loops will enable you to begin the process of expanding your social network by facilitating the creation of more non-core relationships centered on activities that you like to do. You can get to know fellow Loop members through online chats, discover and organize group events and take your social life into the real world.

 

Try using EventLoud now. Post a few Events and invite your friends to join. When we introduce Loops in the coming weeks, you and your friends will be members of the Loops for those venues that you’ve visited in the past. You can be among the first users to be “in da Loop”!