Rise of the Status Update

The growth of Twitter, Facebook, Myspace and numerous social media sites has been phenomenal. Millions of users all over the world are reconnecting with their classmates, friends, family and colleagues. They are posting comments, sharing photos and links and updating their 'status' from the web & mobile.

What drove users to flock to social media sites, to share their views and update followers with up to the minute account of their activities? Why are people all around the world getting addicted to Facebook, Twitter or Orkut? These people are from diverse backgrounds, races, nationalities, education and social upbringing. Yet they are all flocking to social media sites. They are updating their 'status' with up to the minute report of their activities.

I believe it all comes down to the inner need for people to be recognised, to be heard and for the longing for the 'one minute of fame'. Human beings are social in nature. From the ancient times, we have lived in groups and had a social connection with other humans. We all like to be heard, for our views to be respected and to be 'liked' by others. We love to share our feelings and to connect with other people.

The rise of the status update is an example. Do people really care if you are eating a fat free ice cream while watching Avatar in 3d, at the premiere show? Do we really need to know where you are at this minute and how bad the traffic was?

Yet, we continue updating our status with up to the minute information. We all want to be heard. It feels nice to express our feelings, our views and our life updates. We all hope that others will be reading and commenting on our actions. We all have a voyeuristic tendency within us.

Status updates gives us our instant 'one minute of fame'. We love it when users comment on our witty status update or tell us how happy they are for us. We love to feel connected and that we are socially liked in this world.

After all, no man is an island.