Things just got more ‘intellectual’ in the world of social networks.
Want proof that social networking is not just about a shallow re-representation of a who’s who, or who’s not, of social links. Meet Shelfari, a networking site where the emphasis is on brain rather than brawn. Have no fear you need not be of an ardent scholarly nature, Shelfari links are generated by those ‘good’ reads that are on your own virtual shelf and that you wish to share with others. Kind of like a public library, but less annoying and visually more satisfying than Amazon’s spam ‘recommendations’.
So aside from the non-spamming, another aspect that is really nice about the site is the visualisation of your bookshelf that displays your reads – wonderful if like myself your own bookshelves are already fit to bursting with those well thumbed volumes. Add to this the display of front covers and page turning graphics and yes I am a touch hooked…
Should you so desire, you can join book clubs, ones that you will actually turn up to! And whilst these may be lacking in that shared conversation over a glass of Chablis, there is nothing stopping you from pouring a drop on your side of the screen whilst enthusing about your latest tome of pleasure. Indulgence indeed!
So aside from building your own shelf, other fun additions include the ability to embed your reads into your blogs, website AND (perhaps most importantly) as an addition to other personal profiles on your social networking site(s) of choice…
Oh creation, immersion, shares and damn good procrastination – key elements of what Web 2.0 and social networks are all about! Enjoy! Well worth a play on what promises to be a rather wet Friday/ w/e set of afternoons…
About Dr Mariann Hardey
I hold the position of Lecturer in Social Media Marketing at Durham Business School. I also spend too much time enjoying social technologies, media+ stuff. That'll make me a Geek then. And a gal.
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