LinkedIn but IRL

Even the best Social Networking Websites have they’re drawbacks. Everyone uses them, and overall, everybody just tries to add ‘value’ to they’re network. Because everyone is is trying to raise they’re statistical chances of gaining succes.

It often feels, even for me! That on these Social Network Sites, someone is fishing for someone’s Business Card. This ‘Social’ Internet overall feels like a big Virtual Trade Show. Where people don’t ask for your Business Card, but they angle a hook near the Business Cards, to reel one in. Or run past someone’s booth. Then grab a card, run away and yell: ‘I’ll be in touch!’. The person at the booth roles they’re eyes; ‘No one’s talking to us’.

Then at home everybody fills they’re little database. And off-course LinkedIn, Facebook etcetera fill up they’re Big Data silo’s…

But do they? Aren’t we forgetting something? All this tech around us buzzing and beeping. Does it REALLY create the feeling of connection and purpose?

It didn’t for me. And out of sense boredom and, out of sense of curiosity I did something I had not done before. I networked for a total stranger. Someone that I met at a network meeting. Being that I heard from someone close to him, that he was looking for a job. And man, did I go out of my way to help the guy.

And man, did that feel good!

And to see what happened afterwards. Especially when I got positive replies from the people I put him in touch with. This in it’s self isn’t unusual, it happens all the time. And I often hear people say that these things come back to you after the fact. But even in the moment of helping him. This felt good! It gave a sense of urgency and purpose to what I was doing.

And what it boiled down to for me was this: That being social is not a choice. Being social is a need! And it is this need for this interaction that is fulfilling. Not the choice or the utility that you will derive from this choice. And that having choices, just create more choices. Meaning more senseless clicking on the Internet. So ask yourself: ‘Do you wan’t to live in a world like that?’

Maybe you could try what I did. Just for kicks. I mean that was why I did it. To see what would happen.

Off course somewhere in the world some Business Developer must be thinking right now: ‘I can make this into the next LinkedIn! A business where it creates meaning like Couch Surfing. But like travelling out of a bag, but for Business People!’

Yes, I have become cynical… As long as we are on the other side of technology. And they haven’t implanted chips into our brains yet we can keep meeting people on our ow terms.