The True Impact of Social Software

During the excellent Reboot conference there was naturally a lot of talk about technology. The true impact of social software of course is not the technology (though a lot of fun to play with!), but in the way these tools help us build new relationships and strengthen existing relationships with other people (and that got a lot of attention at Reboot as well). Previous systems like e.g. corporate intranet have the information or content (terrible word) as a central aspect. People are more or less anonymously feeding the system in such cases. Putting distance between people.

Social software tools are all smaller than us, we control them individually. And instead of us feeding the information systems, the tools start feeding us. It brings people closer. In my mind we haven't really begun to see the impact of that, though the atmosphere on Reboot, and the way e.g. bloggers describe feeling their world opening up before them is an indication of what is to come.

click image to see (1.6MB)

David Wilcox, whom I finally met face to face in Copenhagen, shot some video interviews. Also of me, where I explain the above a bit more. In the photograph you see him interview Lee Bryant about social tagging, while Gunnar Langemark is listening (both a pleasure to meet as well).

Thanks David, it was great meeting you!

Tag: reboot7

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(posted by Ton Zijlstra at June 17, 2005 12:21 PM)