drew olanoff dot com.

YOU are my social network.

I’ve had this discussion a lot over the past few years.   Social network this, social network that.  “Lets build a social network”.  

My response is always…I don’t have a people factory.

They look at me like I have 3 heads.

Social networks are not software.  They’re not web apps.  They’re not MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Friendster, Dogster, Dooglebester, Orkutz, Wonkerz, whatever.

People are a social network.   Everyone reading this is in my social network.

Those sites that I mentioned (real and fictional) are PLATFORMS.

My social network comes with me, and I follow them.   If they try a new platform, I may go try it out so I can participate and conversate with THEM.  If I sat up nights trying to make plans to go out on Friday with “Twitter”, I wouldn’t get much of a response.   Unless Biz wanted to be a smartass and answer me.

My point is this.   The idea of social networks go back forever.    Google the phrase.   You know this.  I know this.

Why do we keep trying to build, applaud, tear down, overly obsess over “platforms” as “social networks”?

If twitter died tomorrow, my social network would still exist.   If Facebook collapsed and the series of tubes washed away, I could still call up Alex Hillman and say hi.

Remember that.

YOU are my social network.   MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter are PLATFORMS.