As a Researcher in the Television industry, I know that discussions about new media are ever present. Trends in online behavior are becoming a bigger factor for every level of entertainment. The nation has taken its obligations to television shows, magazines and even people – and moved them online. Entertainment content has a natural segue to the medium but what about our personal relationships, from past and present? What are the ramifications of moving these interactions to a world of literal black-and-white typeface? Can your “Friend list” provide the kind of real-world value that a rolodex used to? What are the tangible restrictions of our online relationships?
Travelling across the country, I’ll find out which of my “friends” will offer me their time, their recommendations or their couch and how many would rather keep our friendship on the virtual plane. I’ve set up a special profile for the trip on Facebook (first name: MySocial Net & last name: Road Trip) and sent a friend request to every contact in my individual account. Next comes a plea for everyone to spread the word followed by a post for help asking, “Where can I stay?” The responses will determine a basic travel plan which will be filled in as I go by future replies. The immediacy of a Facebook profile will allow me to post status updates and get instant feedback on the road. Also, at each stop on the trip, I’ll hand out cards with the web address to gauge the responsiveness of new friends met along the way. This website will act as a companion piece to the profile, as a place for daily writings, interviews, photos and video.
Thanks for reading, my Friends
Lisa