Do Community Models Mirror Search Models?
When I think of “search” I think of two models: general and vertical. General search is Google; vertical search is Kayak.com. Google is good for surveying the universe; Kayak.com is good for targeted, accurate, up-to-date travel deals and information. A research tool for helping you decide to go to Mars instead of Neptune? Google. An application for helping find the best times and fares for hopping a ride on the next intra-solar system probe? Kayak.com. So you get the picture.
Communities, however, raise some deeper issues. Communities are not just about fact-finding and getting something tangible; they address a far greater range of issues. While one might consider Facebook a broad-based community a la Google in search, as it is populated by students, entrepreneurs, professionals, professors and many others types of users, there are countless more narrowly-focused communities based upon specific areas of interest, i.e., pets, technology, bereavement, tattoos, whatever. But my question is: Google is great for general search, and vertical search engines work well for more targeted inquiries. But do we want more from our communities? Do we want communities that are effectively the intersection of broad-based and specialized, where those with whom you interact on a more general basis are also able to connect with you on more specific issues as they arise, be they business-related or personal in nature?
It seems to me that, in the off-line world, communities are great when people need help or are in crisis, but are less effective when things are ok. I’ve heard from some clergy about this issue, where they feel good about how their communities can rally around a member when they’ve sustained a loss, but feel less effective and connected to their membership on a day in, day out basis. Something seems inherently lacking in this model. It is great that communities come through when the chips are down, but don’t people benefit from community even in the absence of crisis? Or does one need to say either “I’m in crisis” or “I love my pug” in order to the power of community to kick in? On a personal level, I felt tremendously supported by my blog and Facebook communities in the wake of the loss of my friend, about whom I wrote two weeks ago. And I can’t tell you how much this meant to me. But after that outpouring of support, then what? Should there be a then what? Or is that simply an unfair and unrealistic expectation to have of the community? I don’t know.
People have a need for affiliation, no doubt. And I think this is part of the reason why people join communities in the first place, regardless of whether the motivation is ostensibly personal or business. One of the most amazing things I heard during my friend’s funeral is how her different communities came together as one during her crisis, and that she hoped one of her legacies would be the melding of these communities into a whole. And not just because of her illness, as this was simply a catalyst, but because her friends were all good people with lots in common that could help each other get through the pain of her death but to also move forward in life together. A beautiful, simple goal. But is it realistic and is it what members of this newly-formed community really want? I’m not sure.
I find myself unusually inarticulate around this issue. I just feel that something is lacking in the way we are currently defining “community.” Is there something more? Or do I just want something more? I’ve got to figure this out.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Andy Swan
EMAIL: andy@andyswan.com
DATE: 08/02/2007 12:04:44 AM
I don’t know if it’s so much when things go wrong vs. when things are OK.
I think it’s more of a “when there is an event” type of thing…good or bad.
We go to ball games to cheer as a group, birthday parties and so on.
But when there’s nothing to do, there’s just nothing to do together.
That’s why community establishments are either centered around hosting events or serving alcohol, which simultaneously increases the probability of an event (doh!) and decreases the need for an event (social lubrication).
Now we just need to figure out the internet’s version of alcohol….
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Rishi Khaitan
EMAIL: rishi@itsrishi.com
DATE: 08/02/2007 03:13:12 AM
I think it really gets back to the idea of situational relevance: What is relevant to me right now, or in other words, what do I need right now?
Looking for a job: LinkedIn.
In school, looking to meet people and classmates: Facebook.
When I’m busy in a new relationship, my social networks are less relevant to me. I’m on Facebook, MySpace, etc a lot less. When that relationship ends, suddenly my social networks are very relevant to me. I’m looking to hang out with friends and find a date.
Ultimately, like any other activity, people spend their time participating in communities in order to fulfill a personal need. Such needs may be entertainment, knowledge, companionship, financial/career advancement, … Each of these types of needs are constantly shifting in importance as our life situation shifts.
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COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Vera
EMAIL: VeraBass@gmail.com
URL: http://verabass.blogspot.com
DATE: 08/05/2007 10:10:23 PM
Hi Roger,
I don’t believe that search models (to turn it upside down) come anywhere close to modeling communities.
“But do we want more from our communities? Do we want communities that are effectively the intersection of broad-based and specialized, where those with whom you interact on a more general basis are also able to connect with you on more specific issues as they arise, be they business-related or personal in nature?”
Imo, the answer to that is a resounding yes. Your question, and my answer to it, are one of the basic premises of every post I’ve ever written on web development ideas. My business background is urban real estate re-development, and my interest in and involvement with communities and their development has long been central to almost all my business activities.
Your point about how communities and the people in them draw together in times of need is apt …I’d like to add that we also draw together when the interest of all parties to do so is clearly expressed. I commented on your poignant post about losing your friend as did many others. There would not be, though, any reasonable place or way to extend or build on any connection that you made in those exchanges within the context of your blog, or using the communication avenues that we have here so far. It may not be exactly the right example, since it is so very personal, but that lack of context and avenues for connection is very real regardless of the topic and situation.
Vera
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3 years ago
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