Comments on: Social media loners and outsiders are real

By: Mark Dykeman

Mark Dykeman — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 01:02:16 +0000

Sure, you're welcome.

By: Kimberly Bock

Kimberly Bock — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:24:53 +0000

I'm one of the lone wolves. I feel as if I lose my identity when having to be in compliance with a group. A loss of individuality in conformity with the majority. I fit in much nicer with others who are the same.

I like associating with those who do not feel obligated to conform. It seems they are more 'real' and transparent. In essence, more trustworthy. I've experienced the outgoing netsterisms and made a go of it. But since I've removed 'group think' from my vocabulary, I am able to create and innovate much more fluently. More clarity, less noise.

Thanks for getting the thought ball rolling Mark, as usual.

By: Mark Dykeman

Mark Dykeman — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:33:34 +0000

Thank you, kind sir!

By: AdamSinger

AdamSinger — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:06:11 +0000

I'm definitely the lone wolf, but make connections with those I feel are just so intellectually compelling or outstanding people that I know I can learn so much from. You're in that category, Mark.

By: Mark Dykeman

Mark Dykeman — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:44:40 +0000

That's cool, I'll check out those links!

By: Mark Dykeman

Mark Dykeman — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:44:19 +0000

Thanks for your insight. Maybe nomads is a better term.

By: Tori Deaux

Tori Deaux — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:02:03 +0000

I'm not really a lone wolf, but the patterns of social media trends are as unnatural for me as they are for the "outcast" type. Last year, I was so frustrated about it that I wrote a really long post on the topic which led to a really long series on the topic. I'm convinced that one of the reasons Twitter has taken off the way it has is that it allows and rewards many different interaction styles. (And I hope those links are ok, they just seemed really relevant)

By: digiphile

digiphile — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:32:51 +0000

Loners are certainly out there online, Mark. I don't see them online as much, perhaps because so many netizens choose to read and move on. That's changed in recent years as the tools for feedback and contribution have become more frictionless but I'm uncertain about this premise. If we're talking about social media, wouldn't loners inherently be unseen outliers? If the discussion is about tribes or affinity groups, I can see where movement from one to the next will be worth examining. Loose ties, etc. But if the focus is truly on loners, like the hoary woodsmen I've met in northern Maine or true nomads roaming the steppes, I'm not sure whether you'll find them coming into the social media campfire unless they need something — news, a review for a product or service or other information. At least, that's if offline behavior transfers over. I've observed many loners offline become quite social on the Internet once they find kindred spirits on message boards, in virtual worlds or in gaming environments. But then, they aren't true loners — just social outliers in whatever part of the globe they happen to be on.