Comment by monkmartinez | Hacker News Reader

Comment by monkmartinez | Hacker News Reader

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I am a nerd. I am also a firefighter. Those disclaimers aside, I wonder about the real, practical application of social media. If Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter disappeared from the face of the internet tomorrow, how much would society really lose?

The sustainable growth of Pinterest is fascinating to the analytical aspect of my brain, but the common sense, practical firefighter part of my brain struggles with why it exists in the first place. I see people sick people at shelters browsing Facebook (on their phones/tablets via wifi) and literally cannot believe my eyes.

I have signed up and participated on all major social media sites, but have ultimately left them behind. My life wasn't drastically improved while using Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter. I have read more books and engaged in lively (albeit slower and more thoughtful) conversations via email since disavowing their use.

I guess my point is that social media, in its current incarnation, hasn't cemented utility beyond advertising. Most of these sites tend to afflict one with or are used because of ennui, in my opinion.

If you haven't noticed the impact social media has had on our world, you have not been paying attention. Yes, people waste an astounding amount of time with it. People (and businesses) are also more connected than ever before. I've learned that people I know died through social media, I've generated sales for small businesses through social media, and revolutions have been coordinated through social media: http://www.forbes.com/sites/gregsatell/2014/01/18/if-you-dou...

I am paying attention, that is why I question the very existence of these types of sites. Everything you mentioned was possible long before the invention of the telegram... what is your point? I will stick to my guns here: Most of these sites tend to afflict one with or are used because of ennui, in my opinion. Beyond that... nothing.

A number of my good friendships would not have existed without Facebook to bridge the gap that a traveling lifestyle created between our initial contact and our later co-existence.

Could we have simply sent letters, or emails? Yes, but we probably wouldn't have done this. Does this benefit offset the negative impact of sites like Facebook? I don't know, and I think it's too early to tell.

But to say these sites are not useful is a bit too extreme a statement, in my opinion. I know many people who happily use social sites just to augment their social lives...

I'm not sure how you define "utility" but 1.3b active users of a product indicate tremendous value to me. Your argument falls flat when one looks at the data.

And if anyone of these sites suddenly disappear (as a mental exercise), who's lives would be directly and negatively impacted? Sans the company employees, I would love to hear what calamity 1.3 billion people would have to deal with. Show me the "value" algorithm in a way that correlates with a medical treatment modality.

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