TPMusings

Is there nothing safe from the meddling of us baby-boomers? As soon as we discover the “latest new thing” we move in and end up destroying it. Like the Heisenberg factor, our presence in the event fundamentally changes that event into something else.  In that spirit, PC magazine recently published an article Are Baby Boomers killing Facebook and Twitter? http://tinyurl.com/qe2thc

 

We’ve seen this scenario play out on MySpace, and more recently on Facebook. Now it’s starting to happen on Twitter. Since we all arrive en masse, the dynamic of the network shifts dramatically and with it, comes everything from political activity to spam, in an effort to tap into this huge collective demographic. 

 

“The twin processes of mainstreaming and commercialization mark an end of innocence on a social network, as younger users lose what was once their private playground or—even worse—have to share it with their parents.”

 

How creepy is that concept? Is it any wonder that our children do NOT want to “friend” us on Facebook or Friendster? Imagine what their age-appropriate friends would think of that? And how being your child’s a friend on Facebook will change the content that is posted there. Voila: The Heisenberg Factor.

 

So far, this factor is a small one on Facebook, so the effect has been minimal. Besides, a new network has not yet fully arrived to supplant it, as Facebook has begun to do with MySpace.

 

But let’s talk about what I suppose could be termed “the generational gap.” Gen Y and after (born 1990 and after) approach their lives as an open book, and will post almost ANYTHING on Facebook about their lives (oddly, even if they know that their parents or grandmother is friended!). They also are happy to expand their followers as broadly as possible, without hesitation. They broadcast their personal lives and activities, at times “oversharing” about the inane things in their life. 

 

Gen X (born 1964-1990) tend to be more selective with their “friending” and focus more information about their professional lives, conferences they're attending, and projects they’re working on. To some, it might look like self-absorbed bragging, though career-boosting benefits can come from this type of crowdsourcing.

 

Finally, boomers tend to be quite selective with their connections, often turning down connections with old friends no longer in their lives, and focusing on their families and current friends and business associates. Their posts focus on family, hobbies, religion, and politics. And of course, the “tribes” they gather tend to be homogeneous, Republican with Republicans, and golfers with golfers.        

 

Although I am officially categorized as a boomer, I find the boomer’s use of these media boring. My LinkedIn and Facebook connections have opened up a broad spectrum of new and old friends, many of whom I would have never been able to establish a relationship with if it were not for these social networking tools. Sure, I have bounced a few invitations, but for the most part, had a very positive experience with these sites. Diversity, likewise, has added a new dimension to what I learn and comment on. And finally, I tend to blend my personal and business commentary, perhaps to the shock of some clients who are linked to me, but that is who I always have been, so if they truly know me, then anything I say can be taken in that context.   

 

So will the boomers 86 Facebook? As these tools become more structured and organized, some early adopters will drift to the “next big thing”. However, I don’t see it happening.  I think what we are witnessing as more and more people become familiar with social networking, that whole new ways of interacting and “building tribes” will further emerge, sometimes reflecting how real-world social networks function, allowing users to discriminate between close and loose relationships.  But those of us who enjoy the cross-chatter, will keep our networks open and evolving. There’s plenty of room down both roads…which might you choose?