DISQUS

Guido from Boston · 10 months ago

ok... I agree with you about the trust/recommendation angle. But, social networks like linked in, facebook, and twitter create a connection between you and many others. This connection is not only visible in volume of status updates from your connections but also as a directory of folks who associate with you.

First, the issue of value/volume... Especially when using twitter you can be overwhelmed by the amount of posting that goes on, isn't it important to not follow back everyone who follows you? Shouldn't you be stingy with follows? Doesn't your following also count as endorsement?

Second, the issue of people who associate with you. Having had headhunters call me at my place of business from looking me up in linked In I have become very cautious of who is associated with me on linked in. Apparently some people don't understand that the whole purpose of linked in is more about connecting through your network, not just collecting info about you. Hence, someone associating to you become a bit of an endorsement as well, no?

Can't wait to here your thoughts, (twitter is no place for a in-depth conversation where you need to present examples)

Christopher S. Penn · 10 months ago

I don't view following back as an endorsement, more of a subscription and a way to direct message. But that's how I approach it - some people view it as an endorsement. However, when you follow back thousands of people, it's pretty clear you're not endorsing all of them.

As for people who pester you - immediately disconnect. The follow/friend association is not necessarily an endorsement, but unfollowing or breaking connections clearly is an un-endorsement of their lack of any redeeming value.