Social Networking

Because I readily involve myself with many sorts of social networks, I do not think I have any great insights at this point.  I have already drunk the Kool-Aid!  I've joined so many networks, I have free accounts I cannot even remember setting up.  Just ask Susan C.; during Wiki week I discovered a PB wiki I had set up-- and forgotten about-- in 2007!  Picture Susan's surprise when she tried to use the same URL to set up her wiki and discovered it had already been taken! 

I am very much involved in Facebook, and have a manageable number of "friends", so that my News feed is not overrun with new updates.  I am less enamored with the idea of interacting with strangers on open social networks; I just don't seem to want more than a passing level of interaction unless I feel personally connected with other people in the network.  For example, I will comment on blogposts written by people I know, or with whom I have a professional relationship (not necessarily a face-to-face professional relationship).  I will occasionally comment on blogposts written by strangers IF I feel strongly about the topic being discussed.  For example, I have left comments on Boston Globe articles (usually sports-related).  I also leave comments on blogposts if doing so will enter me into a contest being run by that blogger for some prize I'd like to win :-) .  Generally, I engage in social networking most often for leisure/fun reasons, though I am certainly comfortable with the idea/practice of using it for professional purposes as well.