Social Networking in the 1600s

Thought provoking piece in the New York Times, “Social Networking in the 1600s“, by Tom Standage.

Standage says that although social networks stand accused of being enemies of productivity, such worries arose as early as the 1600s.  He says that In England, very similar concerns were expressed about another new media-sharing environment: the coffeehouse.  It was the social-networking site of its day.

He says, “No doubt there was some time-wasting going on in coffeehouses.  But their merits far outweighed their drawbacks.  They provided a lively social and intellectual environment, which gave rise to a stream of innovations that shaped the modern world…and that the spirit of the coffeehouse has been reborn in our social-media platforms.  They, too, are open to all comers, and allow people from different walks of life to meet, debate, and share information with friends and strangers alike, forging new connections and sparking new ideas.”

Interesting perspective.

 

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