Social NetworkingI don’t think there are many people left in this modern world who haven’t at least heard of social networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace.  Heck, a quick look at the membership rolls on some of these sites would make you wonder if there’s anyone in the modern world who hasn’t signed up with one or the other.  The question that I can’t help wondering about is whether or not this is a good thing or a bad. 

On the one hand, it’s pretty cool to see the Internet opened up as a massive party line.  People from all over the world can share ideas, art, and entertainment.  Communities form, and society grows… right? 

It’s also just plain fun to be able to log on, locate old friends from high school, or meet new friends with shared interests.  You can sit down to a hand of poker with people from all over the world, or promote a cause (real or silly).  You can share photographs and videos with family and friends, or with the entire network. 

But there’s a downside… some people just don’t think about the possible repercussions of putting certain information out there for the world to see.  I’m sure most of us have heard the stories about politicians or public figures brought down by some photos, videos, or writing they thoughtlessly posted for the whole world to see (remember Sarah Palin’s bikini pictures?).   There are tons of anecdotes about job applicants being rejected when the employer got a look at something the individual had posted. 

Where am I going with all this?  The social networks are certainly not a new thing, at least not in the foreshortened time scale of the Internet.  It’s not news. 

But I am interested in how these things are impacting the hunting and outdoors community.  I mean, think about it.  Some people think it’s a benefit that the Internet connects people, and encourages communication… and for the most part, I agree.  But I think it’s also generated an entire culture of people who never have to actually go outside or meet face to face.   I know some individuals already who spend their hours tapping away at a keyboard for almost every social need… willing and able to live “virtually”.  For a community of hunters and outdoorsmen, how does this translate?  Good for the sport?  Bad?  Irrelevant?  I don’t know.

Do outdoors-related social networking sites such as CamoSpace offer a benefit to our sport, or are they encouraging more people to plant themselves at the computer or TV?  Are they bringing more people into the outdoors, providing a platform for discussion of important, hunting related issues, and linking hunters and fishermen around the world?  Or are they simply an outlet for the industry to promote itself, selling and advertising. 

There’s an awful lot of importance attached to the Internet these days, and while much of it is well-deserved, it also worries me a little bit.  It is, unquestionably, the future of entertainment.  But I also think it’s the future of communication… of information… and that presents one heck of a risk.  It’s an uncontrolled format, where fact and fiction dance toe-to-toe on a shady stage.  Lies and reality mingle, and the challenge to the thinking person is to discern which is which.  The problem is, sadly, I just don’t believe there are enough people out there willing to think for themselves. 

I’ll be mucking about with more on this general topic soon.  In the meantime, what do you folks think about all of this?

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