Is the interconnected Web bringing us together, or making us all distracted voyeurs?
Apparel company Diesel – who’s aggressive marketing is consistently noteworthy – has rolled out perhaps the first-ever integration of Facebook “likes” in a dressing room….
Diesel boutiques in Spain now come equipped with the Diesel Cam, where shoppers can try on garments and then instantly take and upload photos to Facebook, where friends can presumably lie about whether a halter top is a good idea.
Is this a great way to bring remote friends’ commentary into a purchase decision (fashion) that is driven by peer feedback? Or is this just creepy? Either way, it would make me double-check how I have the privacy settings set for photos on my Facebook page. The last thing I need is a dressing room photo of me modeling Diesel brand fat pants hitting the public News Feed on Facebook.
How Much Friendship Do We Need?
While the merits of this particular implementation of Facebook-fueled connectivity can be debated, it’s a good example of the increasing frequency and intensity of “friend” involvement we’re going to see in the next 12-18 months.
We sure as hell don’t lack for information at this point. There are something like 150 million blogs. 500+ TV channels. 2 million tweets per hour. The killer app isn’t information, it’s curation.
In addition to their desire to be the hub of the Web, and create the greatest analytics-driven advertising platform imaginable, Facebook wants to enable our relationships to curate the world for us.
The real genius (or ruin) of Facebook’s Open Graph API is that it makes our interpersonal relationships as available as air (as Charlene Li predicted 18 months ago). Instead of you having to go to Facebook to see what your friends are up to and what they think, that information can be exported and embedded so that it becomes omnipresent. It’s as if your friends are sitting in your pocket at all times, waiting for you to ask their opinion. (I hope you have HUGE pockets, or some sort of cargo vest)
In practice, this could be incredibly useful. On the curation front, you need only look at something along the lines of likebutton.me to get a glimpse of the potential for friend-curated information. Want to know what your friends are reading and commenting upon? Presto! At a glance, I learned that my friend and client Andy Reierson from Flint Communications shared the awesome Shaggin Wagon video from Toyota. I’d heard about it, but hadn’t made time to check it out until I saw Andy’s recommendation. Social curation at work.
Curation works in an e-commerce environment, too. Instead of relying on Amazon or Netflix’s algorithm to tell you what book or movie you might enjoy, you can rely on the opinions of your friends. If you want to read reviews from everyone, great. But the default view will be the opinions of your Facebook friends.
And that’s both the solution and the problem.
With Friends Like These
To me, the flaw in the Facebook Open Graph model, and the corresponding move toward curation by friends, is that it’s occurring simultaneously with a shift in Facebook usage morays.
It wasn’t that long ago that Facebook was the place where you connected solely with people you actually knew in three dimensions. Many people still use it that way. But, as Facebook continues to grow like John Candy at an all-night buffet, the number of possible connections for each person multiplies correspondingly.
I’m faced with several yes/no decisions every day with regard to new Facebook connections, and I can’t imagine what a famous person has to sift through vis a vis Facebook invites. So far, I’ve pretty much held the line on Facebook, and the vast, vast majority of my friends there are people I’ve actually met (if you’ve asked to connect with me there, and I haven’t responded, that’s why. please take no offense)
But, I know this is unsustainable. We all do. Over time, we start to fudge the margins a bit, and eventually we’ll open the Facebook “friend” kimono more and more until we’re wearing nothing but a smile and a warm breeze. Everything Facebook does is tilted toward that goal – to massively increase the number of people to whom we’re connected, and the number of ways in which we are connected to them.
And this is what will kill curation. As my “friends” become more numerous and less hand picked, does the judgement and input of that group provide a meaningful advantage over the judgement and input of everyone?
Ultimately, I see Facebook friends becoming a more equals less problem that will force Facebook into adding significant group and subgroup capabilities, to maintain even a shred of curation value.
What do you think? Do you value being able to access your friends’ opinions and preferences around the Web (and in the dressing room)?
Do You “Like” How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/de6Svr
Is the interconnected Web bringing us together or making us all distracted voyeurs? http://bit.ly/aOq2Ni Gr8 food for thoughts from @jaybaer
Jay Baer Blog: Do You “Like” How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/cpnp7H Full http://bit.ly/bYWLdm
Have you read this? Do You “Like” How I Look In These Jeans? http://ow.ly/17Annj
Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans? – Is the interconnected Web bringing us together, or making us all distrac… http://ow.ly/17AnmX
Privacy concerns around Facebook are still an issue for myself. If Facebook can address those issues satisfactory it would be great.
I do think this is an awesome step for Diesel. This is an excellent marketing and promotional step that will ensure their brand is recognized world wide.
Do You “Like” How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/de6Svr
Do You “Like” How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/de6Svr
I agree with you that one of the the problems plauging Facebook stems from the fact that “Friend” no longer means what it used to mean. No longer are your friends actual people that you have met in real life and had a conversation with instead friends are now a metric of popularity where many feel if they have a greater number they are superior. These same people are then shocked to discover that a photo of video of themselves they didn't want publicly available is now available for everyone to see and then they blame Facebook for not protecting their privacy. They should in fact be blaming themselves for not learning the methods to control their own privacy.
As for Diesel jeans, for me personally I wouldn't shop in any store that had a camera in it's dressing room as I don't think I would feel comfortable having a camera right there and not 100% knowing if it was recording me or if it was off.
I agree with you that one of the the problems plauging Facebook stems from the fact that “Friend” no longer means what it used to mean. No longer are your friends actual people that you have met in real life and had a conversation with instead friends are now a metric of popularity where many feel if they have a greater number they are superior. These same people are then shocked to discover that a photo of video of themselves they didn't want publicly available is now available for everyone to see and then they blame Facebook for not protecting their privacy. They should in fact be blaming themselves for not learning the methods to control their own privacy.
As for Diesel jeans, for me personally I wouldn't shop in any store that had a camera in it's dressing room as I don't think I would feel comfortable having a camera right there and not 100% knowing if it was recording me or if it was off.
I agree with you that one of the the problems plauging Facebook stems from the fact that “Friend” no longer means what it used to mean. No longer are your friends actual people that you have met in real life and had a conversation with instead friends are now a metric of popularity where many feel if they have a greater number they are superior. These same people are then shocked to discover that a photo of video of themselves they didn't want publicly available is now available for everyone to see and then they blame Facebook for not protecting their privacy. They should in fact be blaming themselves for not learning the methods to control their own privacy.
As for Diesel jeans, for me personally I wouldn't shop in any store that had a camera in it's dressing room as I don't think I would feel comfortable having a camera right there and not 100% knowing if it was recording me or if it was off.
RT @jaybaer: Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/btwxzN
Do You “Like” How I Look In These Jeans? – Is the interconnected Web bringing us together, or making us all distrac… http://ow.ly/17AqJH
Deisel is also partnering with a furniture company creating furniture for young urban types. They are branching out for sure.
This creeped me out.
I'm not talking about diesel – I'd die before I asked anyone how I looked in something. Actually, I'd almost rather die than shop for clothes. But.
The whole Facebook thing has me flummoxed. I don't think I'm comfortable with the privacy issues, but then again, although I'm “on” Facebook, I rarely go there; it's more that “everyone” is on there, and I kept being asked to “like” them.
I don't like the way everything is becoming more beige. If everyone likes everone, or is friends with them, then we're all the same, and I for one am not yet ready to give up my individuality.
Sorry for the rant.
This is brilliant RT @jaybaer: Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/btwxzN
That sure shows a lot of confidence on their part, making that kind of investment on technology that could be altered tomorrow. How many businesses had to redo their in-store print advertising so people would “Like” them instead of “Become a fan?” I don't doubt Facebook's Like elements will be around for a while, since they've spent so much time and money making sure we all know about it. But it just seems like a bad idea integrating on this level with a site that's constantly changing it's own rules. It's like building a house on an ice flow. It's hip, but not very long-term.
Aside from that, philosophically, I don't really have a problem with it. More enterprising social media users (“Socialists?”) have likely already been taking pictures with their cell phones and posting them on their own. My Facebook footprint is also made up of people I already know – if someone is hell bent on connecting with everyone on Facebook already, I'm guessing they have a bit of exhibitionist in them already.
That sure shows a lot of confidence on their part, making that kind of investment on technology that could be altered tomorrow. How many businesses had to redo their in-store print advertising so people would “Like” them instead of “Become a fan?” I don't doubt Facebook's Like elements will be around for a while, since they've spent so much time and money making sure we all know about it. But it just seems like a bad idea integrating on this level with a site that's constantly changing it's own rules. It's like building a house on an ice flow. It's hip, but not very long-term.
Aside from that, philosophically, I don't really have a problem with it. More enterprising social media users (“Socialists?”) have likely already been taking pictures with their cell phones and posting them on their own. My Facebook footprint is also made up of people I already know – if someone is hell bent on connecting with everyone on Facebook already, I'm guessing they have a bit of exhibitionist in them already.
I guess the main problem with pretty much any social site is that you don't really have control what's on there. You don't need to be on Facebook, for example, to be tagged in a photo, nor on Twitter to be in a TwitPic.
The same's true offline – people can get images of you from their desktop and share anywhere they want (making funny mock-ups, for example, or humorous greetings cards).
Then again, there are a bunch of folks already using their smartphones to send images to friends offline, and asking their opinion on something. While it's obviously not as public as a social network, it seems that the mindset is, “I trust their opinions, I'll ask them a question.”
Perhaps if Facebook's new privacy terms allow you to have complete filter control, more stores will adopt this approach? At the end of the day, I guess it's another service and it boils down to the question – what do I tell and share about myself?
Interesting times, for sure.
Really great thoughts. I do agree that eventually Facebook will have to apply sub-groups of Friends for any meaningful insight. You can pretty much do this right now through privacy settings and creating lists, but it's a bit tedious. Also, hiding on your feed “friends” whose advice you haven't really vetted out is an option. Then again, maybe they have a great nugget of wisdom in there. The oops factor comes into play again when you post something personal on Facebook you'd rather not have privy to that non-friend “friend” and the entire world. To that I say, don't post anything you wouldn't want everyone to see. Comes back to self moderation.
Thanks for sharing this @JayBaer, Do You “Like” How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/augUcC
Thanks for sharing this @JayBaer, Do You “Like” How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/augUcC
Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans – Social Curation – http://bit.ly/aKPYeG
Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans – Social Curation – http://bit.ly/aKPYeG
RT @bkmacdaddy Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans – Social Curation – http://bit.ly/aKPYeG
RT @bkmacdaddy Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans – Social Curation – http://bit.ly/aKPYeG
RT @bkmacdaddy: Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans – Social Curation – http://bit.ly/aKPYeG
RT @bkmacdaddy: Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans – Social Curation – http://bit.ly/aKPYeG
Liker du hvordan jeg ser ut i disse jeansene? http://bit.ly/dzGkbJ #meningsfull markedsføring
Liker du hvordan jeg ser ut i disse jeansene? http://bit.ly/dzGkbJ #meningsfull markedsføring
Um, that's just weird. I couldn't see doing anything like that when it comes to a dressing room. Kinda creepy.
I highly value my friend's and follower's opinions, but in a different realm. I'm sure most can agree with that. The day I take a picture of what I'm wearing to get people's opinion, is the day I'm entered into Social Media Rehab.
RT @jaybaer: Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/btwxzN
RT @jaybaer: Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/btwxzN
How far will you go to get your "friend's" input?
Do You “Like” How I Look In These Jeans?
http://ow.ly/1T26A http://bit.ly/aFPxz7
How far will you go to get your "friend's" input?
Do You “Like” How I Look In These Jeans?
http://ow.ly/1T26A http://bit.ly/aFPxz7
RT @jaybaer: Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/btwxzN
RT @jaybaer: Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/btwxzN
RT @jaybaer: Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/btwxzN
RT @jaybaer: Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/btwxzN
Do You “Like” How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/augUcC
Do You “Like” How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/augUcC
Do You “Like” How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/augUcC
Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/ba1hVF – Strange or interesting on a few levels (via Jay Baer)
RT @jaybaer: Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/btwxzN (Facebook, friendships, and voyeurism) SCARY!
RT @jaybaer: Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/btwxzN (Facebook, friendships, and voyeurism) SCARY!
RT @jaybaer: Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/btwxzN (Facebook, friendships, and voyeurism)
RT @jaybaer: Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/btwxzN (Facebook, friendships, and voyeurism)
RT @jaybaer Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/btwxzN (Facebook, friendships, and voyeurism)
RT @jaybaer Do You "Like" How I Look In These Jeans? http://bit.ly/btwxzN (Facebook, friendships, and voyeurism)
Interesting cross between physical and online marketing, through Facebook and Diesel. http://bit.ly/augUcC