As I’ve written in the past before, I have definitely thought about shutting down a number of my Social Networking profiles. There have been a number of recent Social Networking Suicides (that’s what I call them) that have caused me to pause once again.
But, only for a second.
You see, I will never delete my Facebook Account.
In addition, I will never delete any of my Social Networking profiles, even if they get super stale, unused, and untouched.
Here’s why: Because APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are the future of Social Computing.
In fact, extending a core platform and letting people build applications for their platform is already a base-level requirement for pretty much any social application or platform that wants to be even remotely successful.
In other words, people are developing applications today that are helping extend and make-better these platforms in ways that are helpful for us to reach other people.
An example is probably in good order:
For example, IntenseDebate’s recent hotly-anticipated release of their Facebook Connect integration makes my comment system here on ChurchCrunch a whole lot better.
But, I would never have been able to take advantage of it if I had deleted my Facebook Account. And, if I can’t use it there’s a possibility of limiting my audience’s engagement, interest, etc.
Right? It’s like permanently closing a door of opportunity that you didn’t know you even had!
Here’s my final summation:
So, for the sake of increased functionality, engagement, and reach on the services that I provide, the blogs that I own, and to meet my hopes and goals for these applications, I will continue to keep my Social Networking profiles so that I won’t disqualify nor disable myself from feature sets and functionalities that are not yet available.
And that, my friends, is the reason why I’ll be keeping my Facebook Account around for a while.
*Edit*
Now, please don’t take this the wrong way as a condemnation for those that have decided to get rid of their profiles and social networking accounts. I am not dogmatic about this and am not necessarily suggesting that you do what I do on this. There are definitely legitimate personal, spiritual, reasonable reasons to get rid of them.
[Image from Dhammza]
Paul Steinbrueck says
If you won't cancel any social networking profile so you "won’t disqualify nor disable myself from feature sets and functionalities that are not yet available," wouldn't that also mean it's necessary to have a profile on EVERY social networking platform so every door is open? I don't think you believe that. So what's the difference between closing an unproductive door and simply not opening an unproductive door in the first place?
human3rror says
discernment about strategies of “critical mass”. there is without question a huge amount of potential with facebook. not so with most all of the other social networks…
Jeff says
When do you think Intensedebate will be rolling out the Facebook Connect login method for the masses? I also don't see that option here so I am guessing you only had the Facebook Connect option for a short while?
human3rror says
Jeff,
They are still working out some kinks… it should be available here… refresh…. REFRESH!
Jeff says
I don't see a Facebook Connect button in Firefox, IE8, or Google Chrome. I only have options to login via the intensedebate username authentication system or openid. I have refreshed and flushed my cache in each browser. I still don't see it.
Jeff says
Very curious. The Facebook Connect button is now there. I sense a great conspiracy is at work here. ๐
Jeff says
And now it is gone again. Something funky is happening with Intense debate today. (and yes I am checking it as a logged out user not while I am logged in.)
human3rror says
yea. i may have issues with “cacheing” i'm looking into it.
thanks for sticking around for the “tests”! it's obviously not ready for “public release”…
so there. ๐
Phillip Gibb says
What a strange title to a post that hints of something more important that it.
๐
If that was in itself a strange line I made then I refer you to Seth's blog today "When smart people are hard to understand" lol
actually being a programmer I know what you mean by API, I deal with APIs day; in house and 3rd party.
but if you can take the complexity away from dealing with so many APIs for so many different Social Media applications – maybe thru an API mapper then that would open huge doors, and that would make it far more accessible and useful from the masses ๐ definitely the future if not the present.
human3rror says
hmm. yea. i've got taht blog post right there in another tab… great stuff.. thanks for this!
Jim says
i'm way too social to drop my fb account
human3rror says
no, you're way too ninja.
ZavRab says
ninja? ha-ha-ha, ๐
ZACK says
i dont care about myspace but facebook is awesome……..my childhood friends and family are on facebook so i will never delete it……..and idc about cyberbullying either……DISCLAIMER TOO KIDS:DO NOT LISTEN TO BULLIES OVER THE INTERNET…..THERE STUPID AND USELESS…..TO THE VICTIMS OF CYBER BULLYING:JUST DONT LISTEN TO THEM AND IGNORE IT……..DONT WANNA WASTE YOUR LIFE AWAY FOR THIS SENSELESS SHIT……OR DONT THINK ABOUT SUICIDE EITHER CAUSE IT NEVER HELPS THE SITUATION NONE………KEY WORD:IGNORE CYBER BULLIES….IF THEY CANT COME TOO YOU FACE TO FACE THEN THERE COWARDS…….:)