Call me a cynic if you may. I, however, think that the majority of people who use the social network are not very social. If fact, I categorise them as downright rude and selfish. It is no strange sight to see people having conversations on their cell phones at the theatre or in the cinema. What about the annoyance of trying to hold a conversation with someone who is sharing your time with numerous BBMs? Let’s not talk about the power to be nasty to others that anonymity gives. Left to me, I would re-name the phenomenon “The Unsocial Network” as I find the “nays” outweigh the “yays”. Well, now I have to make an about turn. Not exactly a one hundred and eighty degree turn. It’s more like ninety degrees. Why? Redditgifts.
Redditgifts is an international secret Santa (earthlings and angels) programme. On the site, after signing up, the computer assigns you to a gift recipient. You are then to find out all you can about the stranger that you got. On the assigned date, you ship a gift that you believe is appropriate for your recipient and there you are, a happy secret Santa bringing a smile to the face of someone perhaps across the globe. You will also receive a gift from your secret Santa. On CNN it was reported that the gifts ranged from the costly to the personal. There were gifts like wide screen televisions to personalised mittens.
The owners of the site make absolutely no money with it. Their only request at times would be something for some charity or other. So I take back all the acrimony. redditgifts.com has shown me the social network can actually be…social.
