Tuesday 10 April 2012

Virtually You.

Have you seen the new Google+ ad?

I love it, for two reasons:

1.  Unlike many TV ads which rely on almost cinematic standard spectacles, this ad tells its story through the copy - whether that be from the voiceover or from the words that appear in the ad itself. Beautifully crafted words that form the heart of the story the ad is trying to tell. In many respects, what you're seeing plays second fiddle to what you're hearing.

2.  Perhaps more than this though, I love it because it raises such an interesting question:

What role will social media play in 20, 30, 40 or even 50 year's time?

We often talk about the growth of social media platforms. Google+ has seen its user base rise from 10 million in July 2011 to 62 million by the end of 2011.

But rarely have we discussed the role that these platforms will play in our lives in decades to come. Our lives are now almost entirely recorded (and for some, lived) within these virtual environments. Social media platforms have exploded into our lives so rapidly and each generation seems to have adopted them in the way most relevant to them. But what will happen in decades to come - as one generation becomes the next and our social roles fundamentally change: youngsters become parents, parents become grandparents and so on?

"We all look so...young."

Is there a point at which we'll all commit 'social media suicide'? Will we switch platforms as we enter new life stages? Or will we continue to belong to those virtual worlds that we're so embedded in today?

Our entire lives recorded online - from birth to death - in one place.

Does this ad give us an indication that Google+ is positioning itself as the 'lifelong' social platform?

And if this is the long term strategy for Google+, then let me ask you this: how do you feel about having your very own virtual autobiography?

Only time will tell, I suppose.





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