The release of Google+ has brought all sorts of tumult to the world of social media, and it got me thinking about what our online experience has really become. These days new websites are forged and destroyed with every passing week, and our allegiances to our favorite online domains are constantly tested by the guile tactics of ambitious competitors. What is Google+ but a way for the search giant to combat its greatest foe, Facebook, on the only ground it has never conquered….the fabled world of social media. In this social media realm, people flock from every corner of the Earth to bask in the glory. It is a land where families with great lineages sit in quiet nobility, where friendships are formed, where romantic tales of love blossom, and of course where gold is pilled high enough to reach the sun. We might not realize it, but the peace of this realm is all but certain, as the lords and kings who rule over it constantly battle for its dominion.
My idea for this post is largely inspired by the hit new HBO series Game of Thrones, which is also an excellent book series. It tells of the epic tale of love, adventure, honor, and betrayal, and I feel I see much of the same drama unfolding every week in the social media world. Therefore, I will now present to you my take on the realm of social media, and the great houses that rule over it.
“Never stop searching”
The current King of the Internet and all of its lands. Yet for all its massive power and knowledge, Google has still been unable to marshal the social realm under its banner. One of the oldest houses of the Internet, it provides its loyal subjects with, seemingly, all they could desire. It brings them the finest items for trade both near and far, carries letters from one end of the realm to the other, and its impressive grasp of technology renders new feats of science at an astounding pace. Yet, despite the fact that Google is the largest of all the houses, it has still been unable to plant itself in the social realm. This is not to say it has lacked ambition, as many of its conquests have sallied forth from its gates only to be found broken and shattered on the field. The greatest enemy to the King is Facebook, and the young house has had little trouble thwarting Google’s past conquests. Though the King is not without hope, as a new champion has arisen to conquer the social realm. Whether or not Google+ can finally make progress in the social realm remains to be seen, but to be certain, this new champion is not lacking in fortitude, reputation, or in valor.
“Defend the Wall”
The most powerful lord in all the lands and sworn enemy to Google the current King, Facebook may be one of the youngest houses, but it more than makes up for its youth with ruthless ambition. Indeed, the aspirations of this young house are so great that it seems to be unwilling to accept anything other than being anointed King. Of course there are those who say that the Facebook house is more fit to be named King then Google, since it is Facebook who now firmly holds the social realm in its iron grip. The social media frontrunner has already accumulated enormous riches from the social realm, and certainly has the ability to reap even greater wealth from a kingdom whose true worth is not yet fully known. More and more, people swell the ranks of Facebook with every day, and it seems certain that the powers of Facebook and Google will soon clash again. Though Facebook is not without faults, as would be expected for a house with such ambition. The social realm is not as safe a place as many would like to believe, and tricksters, thieves, and brigands roam the roads of Facebook freely. It also seems that Facebook has little regard for the rights of its people, and it oft seems that the young house would sell the privacy of its followers to the highest bidder. The Facebook wall may be guarded by millions and protect immense wealth within its keep, but the wall is not without cracks, and those cracks are beginning to show.
“WE WILL BE HEARD”
Another young lord of the Internet, this house may be lacking in size when compared to the powers of Facebook and Google, but it certainly does not lack in presence. Not long ago Twitter sought to challenge Facebook in the social realm through sheer numbers alone, but it quickly became apparent that such a tactic was not likely to succeed any time soon. The members of this house are boisterous to a fault, known around the Web as loud-mouthed braggarts with sharp tongues. To be sure, the house is well known for making bold accusations and has a propensity to share useless drivel with its followers, or simply besmirch the honor of a bitter foe. Though, as brash and simple minded as this house may seem, there is something to be said about those who make a habit of accumulating powerful and influential friends. The Twitter house is always ready to receive the famous, the wealthy, or the incredibly powerful, and it is not oft that their halls are not graced with the upper echelons of Internet society. Though for now the great potential of this house remains squandered, as it lacks consistent leadership or any semblance of a cohesive strategy for conquest. Until such a time comes when a true leader can marshal the masses of this powerful house, it will remain nothing more than a raucous den of jests and rumors; a glorified back alley brothel for the prominent.
“Business as Usual”
An older lord who has only recently risen to a prominent position in the social realm, this house has recently experienced an influx of membership and riches that most houses merely dream of. Taking the age old saying of “It’s nothing personal, just business” to heart, this house has chosen to make business relationships the cornerstone of its empire. This house serves as the focal point for all professionals in the social realm, and its doors are open to traders, guild members, and even mercenaries for hire. While in the end it remains a social house at heart, this house holds little regard for its principal competitors like Facebook, and feels confident with its smaller contingent of experienced professionals, in contrast to the endless rabble that swell the ranks of rival houses. If there is a deal to be made or an alliance to be forged in the social realm, this house will see it through, and watch their coffers fill with gold all the while. Yet, while the men and women who undertake most of the business transactions of the social realm are proud to swear their allegiance to this house, the vast majority of so called “commoners” find little use in the business oriented house. Whether this shall serve as a blessing or a curse remains to be seen.
Myspace
“Never Forget”
This ancient Lord founded one of the first great houses of the Internet, and was the first to sit the throne as King of the social realm. It is now nothing more than a shadow of its younger self, having long lost most of those who pledged their allegiance. It was undone by the guile of a younger competitor, for it did not comprehend the extent of the ambition that the young Facebook house had for claiming control of the realm. It did not take this new foe seriously, and was unable to match the clever ploys and attacks of its new competitor, and before it could grasp the graveness of the situation that had befallen it, Facebook had usurped the crown right off its head. Now the lands of this house, once vast and populated by millions, are scarce large enough to earn it the title of Lord. The deserted hovels of its previous subjects are numerous, and once where you could find gleeful chatter and harmonious music drifting through its halls, now lay only dust and abandonment. The house has enough retainers to earn it a title, but its once brimming vaults of wealth have long since run dry. There are few who remember this once proud King of the social realm, and even fewer who mourn it. This house now serves as nothing but a reminder to other houses that the allegiance of the masses is only as worthy as those to whom it is sworn. The social realm may be vast, and full of wonders and riches, but the trait that has always held most true for this magical realm, is that it is ruthlessly unforgiving.
Today’s blog post was written by Brice Sanderford. As he is off to bigger and better things he left us with this lovely article to remember him by. In true feudal fashion, we threw candy at him on his way out. Cheers Brice!
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