Malleable social graphs and mini-mobs: why Facebook could destroy Foursquare

I think there is a need for more social analysis of all these technologies and the possible long term consequences. Most people have a very limited view of the world and technology is supposed to do the opposite by opening up avenues that we wouldn't have explored because of high entry barriers and whatnot. A malleable social graph seems to be a step in the wrong direction. My view of things is limited and myopic and I don't want emerging technology reinforcing that habit by actually adapting to my current habits and regurgitating it back to me.

I could be totally off with this analogy, but this argument is similar to the thinking that overtook my mind a few months ago when I was doing a case study on whether or not Apple should release an eBook reader (complete coincidence).

I kept thinking to myself, "Why would anyone ever buy an eBook reader? Netbooks are becoming cheaper and cheaper (much cheaper than readers even then), smartphones are becoming better and better - and those are full-fledged computers."

To this day, I still don't completely know the answer....except what I do know is that a lot of people spend a lot of money on eBook readers. Perhaps it's something along the lines of facebook chat - just because facebook has it, and ALL your facebook friends are on it doesn't mean people have switched over to it en masse. I still use and prefer many other chat programs - perhaps for stylistic, habitual, or illogical reasons - but significant reasons enough.

To foursquare - I say keep going. At the very least, competition is good, and at best, I think you have a good shot.

I'm finding the concept of "malleable social graphs" in this article fits well with my desires for the next advances in social networking applications. Food for thought.

Oww my brain! Please stop making up these useless buzzwords!