"What Facebook Can't Give You"

"What Facebook Can't Give You" is the title of an article in the Wall Street Journal, November 25, 2009, D1, discusses an "old-fashioned social network". It is interesting from several perspectives. Called the "Wednesday 10" a group of men in their late 20's started meeting in 1957. There were approximately 20 men in the group. The reason for 20 was to ensure at least 10 individuals were able to attend the meetings. The concepts found in the article are useful today.

Now when we hear the concept of "social networking" it usually means online software that allows people to converse, share, show, discuss, etc, electronically online without a face to face meeting. Face to face meetings and talking with people are still extremely important and can't be replaced. A few highlights from the article are listed below.

1. The article highlights the need to remember people are also sources of information versus using only online sources.
2. The article demonstrates the value of face to face meetings.
3. The article shows how surrounding yourself with thinking outside your field and knowledge is valuable, "you don't learn anything from talking to sameness."
4. The article shows that times have changed. In 1957 the group was all men of white ethnicity. "In 1957 it didn't occur to us to include women....if we formed it today, it wouldn't occur to us not to include women." Hopefully, that goes for diverse populations as well.
5. There is nothing old fashion about calling and meeting with people, it is just plain smart and rewarding on many levels.

In my opinion, one key thought to keep in mind when social networking is discussed is it includes calling and meeting people. Not much replaces the value of human interaction when you hear and see other people.