The way these two generations use e-tools and perceive two realities - online and offline - are extremely different. As a rule, "digital natives" view both realities as almost equivalent. They connect, chat and communicate with each other online extensively and these activities (the virtual world) have become an inseparable part of their lives. Meanwhile, for "digital aliens" like myself, online tools are merely a means to agree on the place and time of meeting with friends and colleagues in the real world.
The habits of "digital aliens" however change towards increasing digitalisation. Social-networking websites become popular not only with teenagers but with grown-ups too. For personal contacts and use, you may sign up with MySpace, the biggest social site, or Facebook, the second largest but apparently currently the "hottest" social network. There are a number of other social networks on the web, either of national reach or "multinationals".
Social networks may also be used for business purposes. The Economist, the business weekly, confirms that such websites do have business uses, including marketing opportunities. For example, I use LinkedIn, an online network for professionals, which has over 10 million users.
You may ask: why should one "waste" time on any of those social networks? Well, first, it is a fast and cost-effective way of maintaining contacts with your friends or colleagues, who may not necessarily be reachable by car.:) Second, it's a means of making new business contacts. I've used LinkedIn for such purposes and it has worked for me.
Of course, if you spend too much time online and get the feeling that the whole afternoon or evening has disappared, it's time for you to ask yourself: "Do I have a fulfilling first life?".
Manhattan network, New York City, July 2006. Photo by Giedrius CP
2 comments:
And there's a challenge for you to adapt the digital so well they'd never know you're an alien. I think you have an advantage here also - you know the difference between then and now.
Despite millions claiming the world is all about digitalism, facebook or others, let us not overestimate those figures. LewisPR's study on the business value of blogging showed some (old) news and rejected the attempts of some (influencial) bloggers (and such) that the world is "all about web 2.0" and others. I have worked for 3 months in a Belgian online media agency and specialised in some research etc in the blogosphere. The figures we get are not that realistic.
The same with "second life" which appeared not to be that big at all! In fact, Second Life is merely a bad hangover of the internet.
I do agree blogs, wiki's, facebook, linkedin, myspace and many more can help you in fast communication, they are and remain tools.
No way we are evolving to a "real second life", to end with a wink;)
Best wishes from Belgium
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