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

Re:Ask YC: Why do people share on social websites (like Yout... by mixmax on Monday January 28, 2008 @12:57PM (#105665)

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.

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Re:Ask YC: Why do people share on social websites (like Yout... by atlacatl on Tuesday January 29, 2008 @12:54AM (#106005)

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.

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