Commentary

Hangin' Around

BOSTON -- I write from the courtyard of the Boston Public Library, enjoying a sunny, 60-degree afternoon in an outdoor venue with free WiFi.

I'm on a 10-week internship with mtvU's College Media Network in Boston, so Craigslist became my best friend while apartment hunting weeks ago. I landed my summer sublet after some exhaustive searching - and I never had to drop a dime on classifieds or the likes.

Mind you, I'm a native Hoosier - Craigslist is a foreign concept to most of my Midwestern friends. Most have heard of it, but few use it. The most popular venue I've stumbled across seems to be a) The Ball State Daily News (campus paper), and b) LiveJournal.

Say what??

Check out The Ball State Hangout, a community of LiveJournal users who have some sort of tie to BSU, either as a student or alum. It's more than Craigslist, in that the hangout is still a technically a blog/message board that allows social banter. Still, there are business transactions being made if you pay attention.

When grades are posted - you'll hear about it there. At least one user will post a link to the grade site, allowing others to follow with subsequent complaints or bragging rights.

Need a subleaser? Countless posts promote off-campus apartments with space for the summer. Transfer students also post looking for places to live.

Students screwed over by the big bad book companies often post their textbook collections, waiting to sell or exchange.

As an editor, I directed reporters to the hangout to search for story ideas and anecdotes. When it comes to challenging topics such as sex, drugs, alcohol, there's no easier place to turn than an online community. People are much more willing to discuss their vices online first and in person later.

Granted, not everyone at Ball State knows the site exists, but those who do seem to take good advantage of it - especially incoming students. Transfer and soon-to-be-freshmen often post asking about random things, from the size of dorm beds to the way the showers work. It's an honest, open and bureaucracy-free environment, so incoming students know they aren't getting an "admissions spin."

Cruise through the site yourself and see another form of "social networking" in action. You don't have to be a member to view the site. Pay close attention to the running commentary, too - it tells you a lot about our generation's desire to converse about trivial matters.

60 comments about "Hangin' Around".
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  1. Adam Zand, May 15, 2007 at 11:25 a.m.

    David,
    Not really a reply to your post (although this MTVu news is interesting: http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/interactive/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003584962), but an invitation to share as you're in Boston for a bit.

    Any interest in attending this week's Social Media Club Boston event on May 17 at the Harvard Club (hoity toity for social media but we'll adapt) - we're looking at Second Life and social media issues over food and drinks. Check out this link for more details: http://topazpartners.blogspot.com/2007/05/social-media-club-bloston-may-event.html#comments

    I'll try checking in with the editorial team for your contact info.

  2. Sean Mulholland, May 29, 2007 at 5:04 p.m.

    You hit upon a point I've been bringing up as well, that 'social networking' is not something new. In fact, most Web 2.0 stuff isn't 'new'. It's just easier. The 2.0 refers to the accessibility, not the core of the community.

    I've been on forums for many years now and they truly are social networks, and as you surely know sometimes they're more real than the 'social networks' if you know what I mean. Anyone can accept a friend request, but it's hard to fake conversing online for years with the same internet-friends.

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