Social software design and group politics

Before the Internet existed we communicated by talking over the telephone and through the media, such as newspapers, and before that by telegraph. Having a group meeting usually meant getting together in one place. With the invention of the Internet and Web we are able to easily communicate with people instantly over vast areas. We do this using social software, such as forums, email and MUDs. Designing the social software that allows people to come together in group ‘meetings’ over the web though, has unique challenges from other types of software.

Clay Shirky first published an article titled “Social Software and the Politics of Groups” on March 3rd 2003 that explained the complications that have arisen from having a, many times anonymous, social network. “The thing that makes social software behave differently than other communications tools is that groups are entities in their own right,” he said. Designing software for groups cannot be done in the same way as typical software because behaviors of people interacting with one another cannot be predicted as an individual user. Trust and reputation are concerns that need to be addressed, along with trolling, flaming and off topic conversations.

In order for groups to be successful they need to be able to focus on their topic. Because the Internet has allowed people to express themselves individually, and covet that, the needs of groups are often disrupted by the needs and desires of the individual. Groups that are free and open often fail miserably. Successful groups have used some type of moderation and/or registration.

I’ve participated in a large active focused forum before, and I found that the interaction can be fun and at times exhilarating. But I’ve also found it to be extremely frustrating with people hijacking threads and talking off topic, and trolls causing all sorts off trouble. I remember someone once saying that a forum with paid membership has less of those problems. I tried one of those and found that to be somewhat true, but even those were not immune. While the social software has been getting better and better, we still have a lot to work on, on the way we use it.

Tags: Social+software+design, group+politics, Clay+Shirky