GooglePlus released their ‘pages’ offering yesterday, so that businesses and brands can get on board with the newest network on the web.
They had a massive take-up, with thousands (possibly millions) being created. But the overall reviews of them was pretty lacklustre.
Even Robert Scoble – the self confessed champion of GooglePlus- was not impressed.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
People say they want changes, but when they are given what they ask for, the masses tend to react badly.
Often there are nasty comments, protest websites and aggressive facebook pages.
Common people don’t REALLY like change. They especially don’t like changes to how things work on the internet.
Which is interesting, since the internet is made to be an agent of change.
If nothing else, the internet does offer one thing to the masses that they are all happy about – it gives them a voice.
Sadly, the bad thing about the internet is also that it gives everyone a voice. EVERYONE.
Good , Bad or Uneducated and Ignorant.
The Empire does not require your true name.
But Google+ does.
So does Facebook (up to a point)
The uproar online regarding Google’s policy of requiring you to use your real name to join their G+ network has spawned the term “Nym Wars.
Many are concerned about the reasons they need to give their true identity away to some of the social networks, as they prefer to use an alias when performing online activity.
As you may have noticed, I don’t use my real name for most of my online identities. However, I am not precious enough to insist that Google and Facebook have no rights to know what my given name is.
In my opinion, if they REALLY want to know it, they either;
a) already know it
b) will be able to find it out pretty easily
I can understand why people are getting upset over this, but I think they also need to step back and think for a minute about a few things.
1 – These social networks are free. You don’t pay them so you need to realise that ultimately you do not get to dictate their rules and guidelines for them.
2 – These social networks are a “nice to have” and not a given right. They don’t have to play your game if they do not want to.
3 – Pseudonymity is NOT anonymity. Just because you use a Pseudonym does not mean that no one will ever find out your real identity.
4 – If you don’t want to give your real name to Google or Facebook, then don’t and choose not to use their product. It really is that simple.
But I do agree that control over our identity matters online. It will be interesting to see who wins these wars – us or them.
Of course, the points above are just my personal opinions.
In the interests of providing a balanced argument, please read this article about the reasons why pseudonymity is important : On Pseudonymity, Privacy and Responsibility on Google+
Navigating the seas of online social networking can be tough.
Yep, this is another comic making fun of circles on Google+.
Oh, look! What a lovely bandwagon. Let me just get on it and find a comfy seat…..