Why have we got a Facebook group?
Maxine Clarke
Thursday, 17 July 2008 08:00 UTC
Hello, I have joined this forum and the Facebook group, but I don’t understand the point. Isn’t Nature Network a social online network? I am probably being dense, but why do we need a group on Facebook as well? In any case, I think I posted an “event” on Facebook about the Science Blogging conference (if I got it right), but I am still not sure of the function of the group there – or indeed, this group here on Nature Network. Craig, can you explain what we are going to do in them? Many thanks!
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Since I am the guilty party for starting the Facebook NN group I will talk about it.
It was started first as an “experiment” of sorts. Web 2.0 for all it’s glory still is very underused and fractured in its style and ability to provide substance. The use of multiple platforms (i.e. sites) that allow related individuals to connect is likely a necessity to get it (web 2.0/3.0) to work the way some people envision it.
NN does a great job for blog hosting and forums. However, Facebook (and similar sites) allow more of the “human” information to be shared as well. While NN has the ability for us to share our professional information, we can’t easily share the parts that really drive a connection between people.
In a way, though imperfect, the combination of Facebook and NN is like being in a lab. We can see each others accomplishments (publications, blog posts) but we also have the opportunity to get to know more about the individuals (where they went to school, do they have kids, are they having a good day – to wit Twitter is also maybe “necessary”). The human connection is what will drive the success of web 2.0/3.0 in combination with the ability to share more “usefull” information.
So, in short, Facebook could be thought of as the coffee-station for NN. A place just to get to know each other a little better, to make the connection a little stronger.
Craig
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These are all really nice responses but I think everyone is missing the point of my question.
I’m quite familiar with web 2.0 and several of the arguments made here.
What I am asking is a very simple question. What is this actual group on Nature Network for? I am the only person who has ever posted on it, and my post is to ask what the group is for.
Other groups on NN are doing things – good paper, ask the nature editor, bioinformatics, nature protocols, citation in science, nn bloggers, etc. People use these groups for specific purposes, round an event or a particular activity, eg how to write a paper, to ask editors questions about Nature, to discuss issues in a field of science, etc. What is this actual NN group doing: what’s it’s mission?
It isn’t showing people from Facebook anything about NN (the NN bloggers group is for new members and does a good job). It does not seem to be doing any partner projects with FB.
I am not being critical here, I am just curious. Probably Joerg said it best – because to me this NN group seems like an abandoned house with a garden full of weeds. What is the point of being here or in joining? I think a group actually needs a point.
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