Jyri Engeström claims that the problem with some social networking services is that they focus solely on people and links, ignoring the objects of affinity that those linked people share. He invokes the concept of "object-centered sociality" (borrowing from Karin Knorr Cetina) to explain how the inclusion of shared [digital] objects, such as photos, URLs, and events, can enhance online social networking. Jyri’s post was sparked by Russell Beattie‘s report of why he stopped using LinkedIn, which was largely due to Russell’s assessment that it was not useful [to him]. It’s worth noting that Russell suggests that if he were to rejoin LinkedIn, he would only link to friends he has met in the physical world. If we combine this emphasis on the physical world with object-centered sociality, it highlights the value of presenting objects (or "affordances") that can catalyze social networking in physical spaces, e.g., using ordinary name tags or perhaps photos or other digital content shown on a large, peripheral display, or worn on a small, personal display … topics discussed in my last post.
Object-centered Sociality: Digital Affordances in Physical Spaces
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2003 Red Flyer: Wine-label-centered Sociality
Another great value from Trader Joe’s ($6 per bottle), Red Flyer is an inky-dark wine, with medium to full body, and a lot of spice.
Locks and Keys to Object-centered Sociality in the Physical World
After packing up our proactive display equipment from the Zino Society event, we headed over to BalMar Lounge to observe another kind of technology used to enhance interactions among people attending an event: a Lock and Key Party organized by
Place-centered Sociality
Jyri Engestrom first introduced me to the concept of object-centered sociality almost 5 years ago, through a blog post in which he argued that social networks consist of people who are connected by a shared object. Jyri suggests that the…
That is completely true, a agree with him. Those social network services should provide more what people really need.