This weeks readings started with the notion of social capital and bridging and bonding social capital. Norris (2004) defines bridging social capital as social networks that bring together people of different sorts, and bonding social capital brings together people of similar sort. Ellison, Steinfield, & Lampe (2011) were among the first to explore the relationship between social capital and specific communication practices on the most popular SNS among US undergraduates, Facebook. In Ellison, Steinfield, & Lampe’s (2011) reading they stated that bonding social capital describes benefits from close personal relationships, which might include emotional support, physical succor, or other ‘large’ benefits (such as willingness to loan a substantial sum of money).Bridging social capital, the benefits derived from casual acquaintances and connections, can also lead to tangible outcomes such as novel information from distant connections and broader world-views.
From my experience using SNS I would agree with both Norris and Ellison, Steinfield, & Lampe. Ellison, Steinfeild, & Lampe (2001) state “the extant literature on this topic suggests that Facebook is used more for communication among acquaintances and offline contacts than it is for connecting with strangers”. This is very true for me because I mainly use Facebook to stay connected to my family and friends, and I do not use it to meet strangers. However, I have met new people on Facebook and built relationships, that was not my main purpose or intention. So, the bridging that Norris talked about also applied to me.
While I also use Facebook largely to maintain contacts that I’ve met in my life, I’m also exposed to a variety of diverse information and people as a result. People I may have connected with on Facebook from work or my social life share articles, opinions, and other content in my news feed that I may not seek out on my own. Even their interactions with non-mutual contacts sometimes filter into my feed and if I’m clicking on these articles or otherwise consuming the content, then the argument can be made that I am bridging.
I agree that social network sites like Facebook provide opportunities to connect further with weak ties, like co-workers, fellow students, etc. that we might not be overly close with. And, as you mentioned, we are exposed to all of the content they publish in their feed. My question for you: Do you like being exposed to this content? At first, the attraction for me was the novel experience. But over time, I’ve become numb to all the opinions. This may sound bad to some, but I’ve grown tired of other people’s opinions, thoughts, etc. It’s all just noise at this point. Thus, I don’t use Facebook much anymore. I do use Twitter, but I only follow people that I find interesting e.g. close friends, reporters, etc. Some follow 1,000s of people. I follow about 150 people. More than that is noise to me.
The community that I’m analyzing for SP3 it is about the American Cancer Society Cancer Survivors Network. You can not imagine the support and information that they share with each others. Each one of them share his or her own personal experience and if someone new or just started the battle asked a questions, all the members send post their honestly their answer to the question if they have it, or they send their prayers and hugs if they have not information, so I think they are both bonding and bridging.
I agree although I do not us SNSs, Facebook does allow people to stay connected with one another. It allows people to catch on things and information about other people lives. It allow some people to actually meet new people and develop relationships with them. It allows others to maintain businesses as well as met spouses. From reading all the articles it seems that communities does the same in a sense.
I like to stay in touch with family and friends on Facebook as well. However if I honestly analyze my activity in the last year, I would say that no one is really reaching out back to me. I am on social network burnout with Facebook, sometimes I feel like I am talking to myself…. I wonder if it’s because I have relocated long distance so now if someone doesn’t post back to me they know they won’t physically have to face me?
Like you stated, people can form close bonds with their online friends without even meaning to. This could either be fate or simply a stroke of dumb luck. People in SNSs or online communities could befriend others by talking about completely random topics, such as school or sports. Norris’s findings are well explained in your blog. He really seems to have done a lot of research on this topic.
I agree that it is more common for people to use facebook to stay in contact with friends and family. It is also very common for people to reconnect with people they’ve met previously. I think the increase in the fear of the dangers of meeting strangers on the internet keeps people from actively using SNSs to try to make those new connections.