Robert Scoble is known for befriending nearly anyone in the social media space. It’s part of his appeal. Nice guy, well-loved blog, interesting TV show, popular columnist and everyone’s cyber-friend. But what happens when friend or follower status is taken out of context?
I’ve met Robert. I’m digital friends with him on several social networks like a lot of people. We have exchanged messages on Twitter a few times, but I don’t know that he would consider me a friend in the off-line context. We might be fast friends if we lived in the same area and hung out together, but the ‘Ville and the Valley are a fair bit apart.
This Google Blog Search result of a Friend Feed post of mine, which incidentally had nothing to do with Robert, but was a question I posed on the Social Media Club’s Friend Feed room, seems to indicate, however, that I am Robert’s friend.
How comfortable is he of that? How comfortable am I? Why does the search result spit back a friend association in the first place?
Realistically, Robert and I are both very active in the social media world. We get the differences in on-line and off-line friends, understand the context of the search result (even if we don’t understand how the content was chosen) and are familiar with each other’s digital selves well enough to not think much about it. But what happens when someone I don’t know or wouldn’t knowingly want to be associated with pops up on a search result like, “Jeffrey Dahmer (friend of Jason Falls)?”
What happens if Google (or FriendFeed) insists on telling the world somebody is your friend when they really aren’t? Do we know and trust our on-line friends enough to be comfortable with off-line association?
As we live our lives more openly and with unrequited transparency, we will face awkward and even disturbing realities. No, Robert Scoble is not going to lose sleep over me being listed somewhere as his friend (or at least I hope not).
But where do we draw the line?
Or do we have the power to draw it at all?
Jason Falls is the director of social media for Doe-Anderson, a brand-building agency in Louisville, Ky., specializing in building brand enthusiasts. A public relations professional by trade and writer by craft, Falls is co-founder of the Social Media Club Louisville. This blog is his own, contains his opinions and observations and does not necessarily reflect those of Doe-Anderson or its clients. For more email him at jason-at-jasonfalls.com.
I’ve been Friends with this Little Old Woman for almost 2 years. I’m there 3 or 4 times a day checking on her. I’ve learn to Respect her, Love her and do anything for her. For the past few weeks, I haven’t been there for her cause my Daughter had Surgery and I need to help her. The other day I past by the Pool, I seen my Little Old Lady friend, I said…”Hello” she looked at me and turned her head away and never said a word to me. I asked her “What’s Wrong?” The other woman said…”Oh! She’s Find!” I don’t know why she acted like that towards me. I felt hurt inside. After awhile, I went to her Apartment, knocked 4 times at her door, she did’nt open her door. Until today, I don’t know what’s bothering my Little Old Lady Friend. A Person like that, would anyone call her a “FRIEND!” Please Advice! She’s 86 Years old, and I’m 66 years old, she’s very “Special” to me!!!
Alohalani~
June 21st, 2008