Ask YC: Why do people share on social websites (like Youtube, Digg, Reddit, YC)? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask YC: Why do people share on social websites (like Youtube, Digg, Reddit, YC)?

#21

Post by mixmax » Mon, Jan 28, 2008, 5:57 PM UTC

Darwinism adequately explains the phenomena of social networking. It is basically just like when we sat around the campfire telling stories to each other. The men would tell stories about their great and dangerous endeavors. The women would want to mate with the man who had the best stories (had done the greatest thing, had most appraisal from his peers) because there would be a greater chance that he had the support and power to support the children.

This is a derivative of the campfire.

This is of course simplified tremendously, but it gets the basic idea across. When you think about evolution it is amazing what it can explain in terms of human behaviour.

Re: Ask YC: Why do people share on social websites (like Youtube, Digg, Reddit, YC)?

#22

Post by DarrenStuart » Mon, Jan 28, 2008, 7:20 PM UTC

JayNeely wrote: post #15

DarrenStuart wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

so thats 206% of people? I am confused by those numbers. I personally do it to share cool stuff and engage with people with the same interests as me.

I'm assuming people were able to choose more than one option. Check-boxes rather than radio buttons.

yeah good point.

Re: Ask YC: Why do people share on social websites (like Youtube, Digg, Reddit, YC)?

#23

Post by nextmoveone » Mon, Jan 28, 2008, 7:22 PM UTC

I share on YouTube for family. I share on YC cause the idea of digital karma is interesting. I only consume from Digg and Reddit, I dont feel significant on those sites.

Re: Ask YC: Why do people share on social websites (like Youtube, Digg, Reddit, YC)?

#24

Post by curi » Mon, Jan 28, 2008, 7:43 PM UTC

nostrademons wrote: post #18

Social approval. People seek recognition and acknowledgment. Social websites let folks feel like they're important. You notice that other than outright trolls (who seek attention through infamy), few people will continue to use a social site where they repeatedly get negative karma? And the aphorism "Don't feed the trolls" attempts to make them go away by denying them attention?

I lost about 24 karma on a thread yesterday. I'm still here :)

Re: Ask YC: Why do people share on social websites (like Youtube, Digg, Reddit, YC)?

#25

Post by Prrometheus » Mon, Jan 28, 2008, 10:04 PM UTC

Karma. I'm hoping to come back as a walrus.

Re: Ask YC: Why do people share on social websites (like Youtube, Digg, Reddit, YC)?

#26

Post by atlacatl » Tue, Jan 29, 2008, 5:54 AM UTC

mixmax wrote: post #21

Darwinism adequately explains the phenomena of social networking. It is basically just like when we sat around the campfire telling stories to each other. The men would tell stories about their great and dangerous endeavors. The women would want to mate with the man who had the best stories (had done the greatest thing, had most appraisal from his peers) because there would be a greater chance that he had the support…

I don't agree. Specially when most users post anonymously.

For example, I participate here, digg, and reddit, but never give any personal information.

For me is more like the getting my turn at the podium without fear of anything, as what I say is not going back to the real me. Of course, if someone really wanted to know who I really am, he or she could find out. But it's not worth the effort.

What I really don't get is the people that are so active in these type of sites that it seems that it is all they do. And they are proud of the fact of being so active. I find the comments interesting; however, for me, they are not enough to cover all my social needs.

I guess with time, we'll know the full effect of "socializing" with cute user-names all day long.