Social capital develops around the available resources provided by an individual’s network. People can acquire collective benefits (social capital) through the cooperation among their networks. The more resources you share and the more connected you are, the more social capital you gain. You can increase your value.
The types of interaction we choose in our online participation can lead to potential benefits and drawbacks. Norris made a positive association with bridging social worlds: connecting two incongruent sides via the powers of the internet. There is hope that the internet could bring people together in a way that facilitates more tolerant understanding. Certain interaction could allow people to connect despite differences and surpass traditional societal barriers. That is, if we make the leaps to connect to the others. The superfluous amount of choices and possibilities allow us to explore without leaving our comfort zones. We can stay in our own like-minded groups and filter out ‘the other’ (view/ interest/background/belief). But if we stay in our own circles, we risk surrendering a broader social understanding.
The Ellison article discussed how a people use Facebook to connect. Facebook’s most significant use of social capital is its ability to maintain relationships. Even weak ties can lead to a broader social capital, where users have the potential for each other’s resources in the future. Facebook has the ability crystallize relationships that might have dissipated in the real world. (Ellison, 886). While Facebook doesn’t cross vast cultural jumps, it does allow for a slightly broader base of exposure. If we add more people, there is an increased likelihood we might see into their world.
I always fear that I am living in a bubble, choosing to filter my own world and allowing it to be filtered for me. I strive to increase my understanding of others, and I try to be more flexible in my sociability. I see the internet as a unique place to transcend traditional barriers. Though I will always be at risk for subconsciously filtering my own world, I can at least attempt to meet new people through SNS sites.
My experience on Facebook is similar to the Ellison article. (I, too, am an undergraduate white female – as the majority in the study). I mostly use the site to maintain relationships, but I also use it (information-seeking) to find out more about non-friends (if they are visible) and pages. I also see evidence of in comments between mutual friends who are seeking emotional support, are looking for tips, information, events, etc.
Though I have not yet fully read the Graduate’s article on CouchSurfing, I plan to read it in time to comment more on this week’s blog entries. I glanced over it and saw a lot a truths in their observations. CouchSurfing is one SNS site that I am engaged in. It is all about trust and creating connections. CouchSurfing users can provide information, connection, participation in events, host events, and a literal resource of opening their homes to travelers. Here is a link to my page. Though I am not the most active user, it could provide a cursory introduction to those unfamiliar with the site. You can also see a lot of evidence of the sense of community belonging and reciprocity in my profile, comments, and connections. I hope to stay involved over time and increase my connections others so I can take greater advantage of the site.
I really enjoyed viewing your couch surfing page! You seem to have a strong identity and it projects fun, curiosity, adventure, and just a well rounded person. I am also an undergraduate but 10 years older than you ( well in a few weeks it will be 10 years) =) However, I find it interesting that I do not seek strangers. I think age and place in life influences the seeking of strangers and new faces opposed to an education status.
Do you find that Couchsurfing opens you up to more bridging possibilities than Facebook? Or do people looking for a couch tend to gravitate towards others who seem like them?
I’ve has experience with both. I think Americans tend to be more fickle when travelling through the States – looking for a friend they can connect with. (But the same Americans who travel abrod might broaden their horizons & expectations then.) You have to invest in sending out a lot of personalized messages. It might be hard to successfully find a place to stay if you are not broadening your potential pool of hosts. Sometimes that leads to a new and irreplaceable experience; you never would have if you didn’t step outside your comfort level.
I tend to search for people I feel I can connect with, but that doesn’t mean we have the same views, culture, or perspective on life.
When hosting people, I am not too selective. As long as they make a point to personalize a message and attempt to make a connection, I won’t reject them. I’ve hosted musicians, foreigners, political advisors, mathematicians, professors, and genuine people from (pretty much) every continent. I trust in the philosophy of the community and the strength of our communication to create a welcoming and safe environment.
I didn’t know that an individual could increase the value of his or her Facebook profile. This could definitely help with befriending other people online. I also agree that people could learn more about other cultures by befriending individuals from other parts of the world. Learning about other cultures could allow each of us to accept, or at least become more understanding and knowledgeable of, the differences and similarities between the other cultures or races and those of our own. However, with the nuclear threat from North Korea, it may take more than increased friend lists on Facebook to sort out differences.
I think we all tend to live in a bubble but I agree that we should all strive to increase our understanding of others and try to be more flexible in our sociability. Making those connections with others outside of the norm can help us become familiar with people who are different from us and will help us become more open minded and accepting of others.
I think its interesting that you would ever fear that you are “living in a bubble” when you are involved in a site like couchsurfing!Strangers in your house or you in a stranger’s house is certainly out of any bubble I’ve ever heard of!! It seems to me that Couchsurfing goes farther than most SNSes as far as creating new relationships, given that it connets previously unknown people to each other. I find that most people use their Facebook pages to simply maintain friendships, even if they are only weak relationships. A site like Couchsurfing actually creates entirely new relationships. I don’t know that I would ever be brave enough to participate in a site like that, so kudos to you Susan!