Social Networks and their contribution to our twentysomething "Maybe generation" - Something to think about.

During my weekend I rethought our discussions during class and in the course of our group work. It was fascinating how much can be done with Social Network analysis and how easy it is to surprise yourself even when analysing your own network.

Nevertheless, in a retrospective it is frightening at the same time how much information is exchanged and what can be done with it. Facebook and other networks became such a big part of my life that I cannot imagine to live without it anymore even though I know how much information I spread into the world. This is not the only threat though and that is where I would like to share the content of a book I recently read with you.

The main topic of the book is not exactly related to Social Network Analysis but without the information exchange on Facebook the Analysis would not be possible and therefore, it is also necessary to point out the risks social Networks can bring along for an individual user.

The author, Meg Jay, is a clinical psychologist who suggests in her book, called “The Defining Decade”, that many twentysomethings (our generation) feel trivialized during what is actually the most transformative and defining period of our adult lives, our 20^th. This age is a time when the things we do and the things we don´t do will have an enormous effect across years and even generations to come. However, many still act as if the 30^th are the new 20^th.

One main driver that leads to this loss of focus and a lack of taking essential decisions is the everyday comparison and redefinition of own goals with goals and paths other people take and share on the social network platforms. Today, a lot of unhappiness comes from the fact that others tell us what is right and what we should do with our lives. If somebody has a goal he is motivated to do so from the insight out. If this person listens to everything people suggest him to do he will be paralyzed by all this possibilities. We need to take our own decisions to find our own way.

In social networks, such as Facebook, every day we get the feeling that everybody is happier, more successful and even prettier than we are. Facebook is full of successful cosmopolitans that learn French in Thailand, work for an NGO to make the world a better place while they are working on a third university degree. The truth is that it only makes you unhappy to compare yourself with others on because nobody would ever share what does not go well in their lives. Pictures and tales are whitewashed.

If People concentrate too much on other whitewashed lives they will spent too much time with the goal to whitewash the own life. As Meg Jay states, it is important to focus on own goals and dreams in order to make something of your life before you take all decisions in a hurry right when you get 30. Therefore, be careful of how seriously you take the information that is shared upon social Network sites.

Best,

Annemarie

Here is an additional TEDtalk from Meg Jay about the book: