Why are so many social media sites from Facebook to Twitter created by Ivy League computer nerds who had no social life in high school? Well, obviously they're the only ones that can take a technology idea and turn it into reality. Ivy League nerds are very successful because where you have an Ivy League nerd; you most likely have Ivy League angel investor nearby. I guess I I'm just fed up with the antisocial types trying to run our social lives without ever understanding us in the first place.
For example, Linkedin was formed in 2002 by Reid Hoffman from Stanford University, and is a perfect example of computer nerd with major money connection from birth. What's the first company Reid Hoffman created? Socialnet.com a dating website founded in 1997. If you look at a picture of Reid Hoffman he's a brilliant guy, but a lady killer he's not.
Reid Hoffman
Now despite so many social media companies created by computer dorks from Reid Hoffman to Mark Zuckerberg were now seeing a new social interest spark within the Generation Y graduates that Ivy League nerds cant related with. Generation Y sees Facebook and Twitter growing boring, as they yearn for a more social experience.
Despite all the efforts from social media companies to adapt to the changing demographic, they find they cannot keep up with our desire to stimulate our minds with something new because they never related to us in the first place. So many problems with Facebook and Twitter is they're infiltrated with boring people from stalkers to product marketing ad's. Every product, street corner and three legged dog has their own Facebook page nowadays. We're saturated with garbage causing our social stimulation to fall by the wayside. Facebook's still a great tool for keeping up with family and friends, but that's about the extent of it's use, it's certainly not a tool to post high school pictures of oneself doing drugs and participating in underage drinking (despite so many boneheads doing this on a regular basis).
The fact of the matter is social media is supposed to be connecting us to each other, but in the process, is it looking out for us? I think it's pretty obvious social media companies are trying to make money just like everybody else. If they're not selling a tangible product the only thing left is marketing dollars at the expense of customer privacy and user experience.
In the process of chasing revenue, these companies have tried to keep their users personal information as transparent as possible. Facebook is constantly being investigated by the FTC for mishandling their customer's private information. Reid Hoffmann from Linkedin says the web is turning into a more open word. He thinks everybody's real information from address to date of birth should be available for all to see.
At least that's the mentality of a multi-billionaire who's company relies upon people communicating honestly with each other. I'm thinking such as trusting attitude by Mr. Hoffman indicates his childhood upbringing in Berkeley, California was a little different than my Silver Spring, Maryland upbringing.
What social media companies don't tell you is they're selling your analytical data to marketing companies, in the process giving power to the producers, instead of creating a unique experience catered to the individual consumer. Companies like Google, Apple, Facebook etc... have made billions selling your personal data. Eric Scmidt former CEO and Chairman of the Board at Google went on record to state Google knows what you're thinking even before you do. If that's not creepy I'm not sure what is.
With so many court cases arising out of social media comments, status updates and likes, were now witnessing college graduates having a harder time obtaining jobs after graduation, because employers now search Facebook and Twitter accounts to verify the credibility of the applicant. Liking a product on Facebook seems like a harmless task until you find out your college or work application was denied because you liked Jack Daniels and Superbad.
Ivy League computer nerds are smart. It's always been about one equation; more users equal more money. Tim Berners-Lee the father of the World Wide Web recently went on record to say he disapproves of the way companies like Google and Facebook are holding onto user's personal and analytical information instead of giving it back to the user to establish a great customer experience on whatever site they chose to be on, not just within the domain of a popular site.
My friends, this is the future. We need more privacy, we want to share data with our families without being arrested or sued. We want a social stimulation without repercussions. We want our web experience tailored towards us, in the way we see fit. The question is who's going to give it to us?
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