Social networking and social networking sites (SNS) have become hugely popular and I have just recently come across a new one ‘horsesmouth’.
Based in the UK unlike other SNSs horsesmouth is about the sharing of information rather than making connection with already ‘known’ friends.
The premise, built on the adage that knowledge is power, is to share your potential specialist skills with others without ‘image’ or popularity being at the fore of connections.
From your profile you let others know your area(s) of ‘expertise’ and can advise on anything from the mundane – cookery tips, to more intellectual and philosophical ideas.
This is an interesting take on the sharing of social resources and knowledge. As Web 2.0 is all about peer participation and user-generated content this seems a more natural way to combine social links, create and share with one another.
What we need to be careful about is how we interpret such information (with a large pinch of salt!). Sites such as Wikipedia seem to stand alone as a definitive guide and information resource and have created what Andrew Keen has labelled in his recent book the ‘cult of the Amateur’. Perhaps the sharing and discussions created by sites such as horsesmouth can create new forums for debate and pools of knowledge… or are we being led up another information controlled path…
BUT I think as geeks we are more savvy than to accept without question information uncovered online. Where Keen’s concerns of an amateur culture have come to the fore, we should revel in the opportunities that we have to open debate and stimulate discussions!
A toast to the collabatory Web 2.0 and all from the horses mouth!
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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