Influx

Facebook has been described as the Google of its generation. A new
internet tool that brings accessible social networking to the masses.
On a basic level, it does a fine job, it does all the things you want it to and it’s easy to manage.

The problem is that
it’s perhaps a little too easy. We get attracted by the blinkling lights and
add new applications and join groups on a whim. It’s wonderful to see those
groups grow and cool when new fun applications arrive, it’s a little like living in an
amusement arcade.

However, while all this stuff is happening we seem to be missing the
powerful potential of this social network to make a difference and to
do something really interesting for all of us.

Today, Time Incorporated announced it was closing its magazine Business 2.0. It was a sad day for subscribers and those of us who were fortunate enough to get free copies of the
magazine.

However, for the 2,500+ members of the Facebook group that had formed to
try and save the mag, myself included, it was another day on the social
network, with all the usual distractions.

Many had probably forgotten they had joined the group in the first place, others had lost interest after a few days.

The problem is that it’s easy to click and join and very hard to do something constructive.

It’s the big weakness in the Facebook system.

For groups, it’s hard to leverage, galvanize, manage and do something great with Facebook.

Facebook is attracting a ton of people and it’s doing a great job with
the basics, but the real “win” is leveraging the collective wisdom and
power of crowds to do something interesting; to buy goods at a discount,
to give loans, change the political system, raise environmental standards, reduce
poverty and yes, even keep interesting business magazines afloat.

If Facebook can do this, fantastic.However, I have a hunch that a couple of kids in Mumbai are working on
something that can do everything Facebook can do but will  trump it because it can harness the collective power
of the crowd. 

Facebook, the clock is a ticking.

Posted by Ed Cotton