What Is All the Fuss About???
Monday, October 18, 2010
The ever popular mobile game Foursquare is set to hit 4 million users this week.
According to an article by Jennifer Van Grove, it was reported to online site Mashable that Foursquare will reach its 4 millionth member some time this week. That number has come as a surprise to many since it was only 50 days ago that Foursquare gained 3 million members.
For those who do not know what Foursquare is here's a brief explanation. Foursquare is a mobile social media game in which users check in when they reach a destination listed by Foursquare. Users earn points and badges for where and how many times they check in during a month.
Users can also track where their friends are through foursquare and it links up to other social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Now why has Foursquare seen such a huge rise in usage? Well it appears to this blogger that Foursquare is sort of an interesting social media tool that society can use. However what is really the point of Foursquare.
To me it just seems like another crazy game that can distract people from important events in society. It seems like people would spend more time trying to rack up points at different places when they could be doing something more productive with their day.
Now I have never used Foursquare so in essence I should not judge a book by its cover, but it really seems pointless to me. My honest opinion is that Foursquare holds no true value in society. It may be a good and fun way to track your friends and others but it really seems like a waste of time.
Maybe I am wrong but this just seems like another social media entity that is taking over our society and whether it is for the better or not who knows. In my opinion we would be better off without distracting games like Foursquare.
At some point there has to be too much in regards to the social media options. I think sticking with things such as Facebook and Twitter are good because they can actually provide some newsworthy information. Foursquare and its counterparts do not do any of that. Some of this social media stuff is really just becoming a waste of time.
Photo courtesy of Flickr, Nan Palmero
4 comments:
I have never used Foursquare, and I don't think I ever will. I don't like the idea of having people know where I am at every second of the day.
I know that criminals have been using these forms of social media to their advantage. They can know when you are and aren't home based upon your current location, which sets them up to go rob your house going unnoticed.
I also don't think it's necessary to use social media 24 hours a day, though it may be handy in some circumstances.
Well I think the concept of Foursquare is great. I haven't used it yet either, but I don't think it is a bad thing.
The likelihood of criminals using Foursquare as a way of potentially committing crimes is a bit far off. I'm not saying it can't happen, but I highly doubt that criminals who would be looking to commit any level of petty theft would look to Foursquare as a means of locating a possible hit. They aren't going to care to look at a site tracking you when they could just sneak in when you're asleep...comforting, I know.
But the whole point of Foursquare is to build community. Much like any other social media, it links people with common interests/ideas. If a 'follower' sees you like a certain coffee shop or sports bar, it's a good conversation starter, which could potentially lead to networking and other opportunities for jobs, etc.
It could be looked as a more efficient way of stalking people, but the motives are harmless. The majority of people who use it are probably professional-type people looking to connect with a 'fan base' if you will. It might not be looked at as practical compared to Twitter or Facebook.
Very fitting title. I agree that it is pointless and mind numbing--however, everything to do with Social Media is in essence pointless and mind numbing.
I have gone back and forth for the past year about deleting my facebook page. I spend too much time on it and it is for the most part completely unnecessary, but it is a lot of the time the only way to keep in touch with people easily.
I think this game is just another way for people to waste time. It is a way for people to feel like they are a part of a larger community and maybe even a way for people to stay connected. But really? It's just a waste of time and energy. It seems as though the people creating these social media outlets are simply mastering the art of procrastination...
I agree with everyone here. While Foresquare sounds like an interesting social "game" i'm not sure it holds much purpose.
Erin has a good point that Foresqure is meant to create a community, just like all social media.
I recently noticed that there is a Foresquare sticker on the south entrance to the BSC. It's interesting that Simpson College is part of this thing that is so big.
In the end it's a personal choice to use it. So if you like it, use it. If you dont, don't use it. Simple.
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