Can Social Media Re-invigorate Suburbanites?
Everybody with a computer or a cellphone has probably been touched by a "Social Media" app. Applications like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and Foursquare have taken the world by storm. The power of these apps to connect people with each other (and with advertisers) is immense.
In Suburbia these social media apps are especially popular. Suburbanites tend to be early adopters of these types of applications. The main fear with social media is that it will actually put an additional layer of space between people -- creating a culture that is completely connected with each other, but not really communicating. This, of course, is the worst case scenario. Let's explore how this technology might actually enhance suburban culture.
If used in innovative ways social media can open up all kinds of possibilities. Take an app like Foursquare. Foursquare gives it's users the ability to tell where their friends are, to locate new venues and to make new friends. Urbanites have been using this app to it's full potential from the beginning. Here's how it works when used correctly:
Steve and Kelly are both members of Foursquare. Steve and Kelly don't see each other very often. Kelly gets a notification on his cell phone that Steve is at the bar up the street with some friends, Kelly grabs his group of friends and they move up the street to find Steve. Fun ensues, friends are made and people are actually interacting face-to-face.
The system works by allowing users to enter any venue they choose, so parks, grocery stores, movie theaters, etc. are likely captured in the database. The system is GPS enabled so it knows which venues are near you and provides a list so you can "check-in". Once you "check-in" the system sends out a message to your friends that you have arrived at a certain venue. The fact that it's location based and mobile encourages people to get out and do things. The system also has built in features that encourage users to discover new places. I won't go into too many details, but suffice it to say that this is exactly the kind of app that might prompt suburbanites to get back into the cities to do something new and exciting.
...And don't overlook Facebook and Twitter either. Both apps are keeping people connected and re-connecting people who've lost track of each other. Users have found really clever ways to use these apps to organize reunions, put together "bar-nights" and just to let people know where they'll be and what they're planning. So, like Foursquare, the possibilities for an impromptu meet-up with friends are greatly increased.
So, embrace your internet enabled mobile device and use it for good. Use Facebook, Twitter or whatever social media app you enjoy to elicit a response from people. Entice your suburban friends and neighbors to leave the cloister -- engage someone in a face-to-face encounter at an urban watering hole or restaurant. Keep the mobility in your mobile device, and don't forget to "check-in" with Foursquare when you get there.
In Suburbia these social media apps are especially popular. Suburbanites tend to be early adopters of these types of applications. The main fear with social media is that it will actually put an additional layer of space between people -- creating a culture that is completely connected with each other, but not really communicating. This, of course, is the worst case scenario. Let's explore how this technology might actually enhance suburban culture.
If used in innovative ways social media can open up all kinds of possibilities. Take an app like Foursquare. Foursquare gives it's users the ability to tell where their friends are, to locate new venues and to make new friends. Urbanites have been using this app to it's full potential from the beginning. Here's how it works when used correctly:
Steve and Kelly are both members of Foursquare. Steve and Kelly don't see each other very often. Kelly gets a notification on his cell phone that Steve is at the bar up the street with some friends, Kelly grabs his group of friends and they move up the street to find Steve. Fun ensues, friends are made and people are actually interacting face-to-face.
The system works by allowing users to enter any venue they choose, so parks, grocery stores, movie theaters, etc. are likely captured in the database. The system is GPS enabled so it knows which venues are near you and provides a list so you can "check-in". Once you "check-in" the system sends out a message to your friends that you have arrived at a certain venue. The fact that it's location based and mobile encourages people to get out and do things. The system also has built in features that encourage users to discover new places. I won't go into too many details, but suffice it to say that this is exactly the kind of app that might prompt suburbanites to get back into the cities to do something new and exciting.
...And don't overlook Facebook and Twitter either. Both apps are keeping people connected and re-connecting people who've lost track of each other. Users have found really clever ways to use these apps to organize reunions, put together "bar-nights" and just to let people know where they'll be and what they're planning. So, like Foursquare, the possibilities for an impromptu meet-up with friends are greatly increased.
So, embrace your internet enabled mobile device and use it for good. Use Facebook, Twitter or whatever social media app you enjoy to elicit a response from people. Entice your suburban friends and neighbors to leave the cloister -- engage someone in a face-to-face encounter at an urban watering hole or restaurant. Keep the mobility in your mobile device, and don't forget to "check-in" with Foursquare when you get there.
In Small Town, we've certainly embraced all of it, but the people I know use Facebook, etc. to keep in touch in a general way and to amuse each other or ask for help—even to ask just for a kind word on a crappy day.
ReplyDeleteFor really connecting, the cell phone is still king—a call or text does the trick.
I agree 100% about the phone call. It's more about encouraging those "impromptu" encounters. The "hey we were just at the grocery store and we saw that you were here having dinner, can we join you?" sort of things. For what that's worth... more about meeting up with acquaintances, maybe -- people you wouldn't necessarily call
ReplyDelete