Will social networking replace traditional networking?

Being a part of an Optimist Club is very much like being part of the social networking movement.  You gather followers, friends and compatriots (members) by expressing your thoughts in an open forum (meeting).

As people listen, they decide if the forum (club) is for them: some leave, some stay, some bring others, some watch and never say a word while others contribute to the conversation and make dreams and desires known (project planning) and work to accomplish their goals (project implementation).

Both in an Optimist Club and on a social network, you choose to follow people who entertain, inspire or educate you; people who generally enrich your life.  You would never, hopefully, choose to stay in a group that didn't fulfill some of the basic needs of human contact and social interaction.

Just like in real life, you have choices to make when someone asks you to follow them or their cause on Twitter, Facebook or to read their blog:

• The first choice is where does this fit in my life?  
• The second choice is do I want to create an account? Soon not having an account will be akin to not having an email address or a phone number.
• The third choice is do I want to participate or watch and take it all in? 
• And finally, you can choose if you will tell others about your choice and ask them if they are interested in getting involved as well. 

What do you think? Does it sound a lot like joining a service club to you?   While some people are more social and better at including others, to some degree we all crave interaction.    Social networking tools are a way to reach out anytime of day, from any location, but they do not replace the face-to-face contact that our bodies thrive on.

Thank you for joining me on my online social networks.  May I introduce you to some more traditional social network-ers at my next Optimist Club meeting?  Lunch is on me!  Just let me know when you are ready to go.