Comments on: MySpace and its influence (or lack of) http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2006/myspace-and-its-influence-or-lack-of/ Notes from the classroom and observations about today's practice of journalism online Fri, 05 Dec 2008 07:40:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Mindy McAdams http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2006/myspace-and-its-influence-or-lack-of/#comment-111 Mindy McAdams Tue, 27 Jun 2006 21:49:11 +0000 http://www.mindymcadams.com/tojou/2006/myspace-and-its-influence-or-lack-of/#comment-111 I have "explored" both Facebook and MySpace (I wouldn't say I'm a real user of either one). I agree that they are very successful for social networking. The Bakersfield Californian has been trying to find a bridge between social networking and their news site, and I think it's a very, very worthwhile effort.<br/><br/>The business model does not interest me as much as the kind of interaction the space encourages. A pub in an English town might encourage a sense of community, for example, and foster political solidarity -- and what's a pub if not a social space? A pick-up bar or "meat market," on the other hand, fosters a more limited scope of activity. I have “explored” both Facebook and MySpace (I wouldn’t say I’m a real user of either one). I agree that they are very successful for social networking. The Bakersfield Californian has been trying to find a bridge between social networking and their news site, and I think it’s a very, very worthwhile effort.

The business model does not interest me as much as the kind of interaction the space encourages. A pub in an English town might encourage a sense of community, for example, and foster political solidarity — and what’s a pub if not a social space? A pick-up bar or “meat market,” on the other hand, fosters a more limited scope of activity.

]]> By: Patrick Beeson http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2006/myspace-and-its-influence-or-lack-of/#comment-110 Patrick Beeson Tue, 27 Jun 2006 13:47:23 +0000 http://www.mindymcadams.com/tojou/2006/myspace-and-its-influence-or-lack-of/#comment-110 It's not that MySpace hinders the creative juices of its users (your students), but rather it exploits another exciting aspect of the Web: social connectedness.<br/><br/>This is something that few newspapers are taking advantage of, often to their deteriment.<br/><br/>If more media companies (newspapers, television, magazines, etc) would find ways to use the social Web with their product (information), then I'm quite sure they could turn what appears to be a "mindless consumer model" into a money-making consumer model.<br/><br/>Oh, and it might also help churn out a story or two.<br/><br/>Have you used either MySpace or Facebook? I've used (am using) the latter, and thought it a very nice concept for networking. It’s not that MySpace hinders the creative juices of its users (your students), but rather it exploits another exciting aspect of the Web: social connectedness.

This is something that few newspapers are taking advantage of, often to their deteriment.

If more media companies (newspapers, television, magazines, etc) would find ways to use the social Web with their product (information), then I’m quite sure they could turn what appears to be a “mindless consumer model” into a money-making consumer model.

Oh, and it might also help churn out a story or two.

Have you used either MySpace or Facebook? I’ve used (am using) the latter, and thought it a very nice concept for networking.

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