Friday, February 21, 2014

New Social Network Emphasizes Connecting With People You Don't Know

http://www.forbes.com/sites/matthickey/2014/02/20/crushee-is-a-new-social-network-for-best-friends-that-havent-met-yet/
A new social network called Crushee has been introduced recently, and it differs from most other social networks in a very unique way.  Whereas most social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace have all been focused on connecting and keeping up with people you know, Crushee places emphasis on connecting with people you don't know. 
It works like this: You can see posts and pictures from random people, and if you like what you see, you have the option to "crush" them.  This lets them know that someone likes their profile, but it doesn't tell them who.  They have to figure it out.  The article describes it as a "secret admirer".  And if that person you crushed also crushes you, you both develop a mutual crush and can send private messages, and a new friendship is born.
The website also has what the creator calls a very effective policing system.  In order to successfully register, the existing community must review your profile and approve it.  This is supposed to prevent "trolls and creeps" from registering and polluting the community.
I think this new website has the potential to be a great new social network.  It's interesting to see something new being tried for once.  I like that this site focuses on creating new friendships, rather than keeping up with existing friends, which is something I can do without an online social network.
My only concern is that not just anyone can join.  Despite the review and approval process being created to keep out people who would disrupt the community, I feel like it will be used to keep out anyone people on the site would deem "unworthy".  There is already an established community on the site, and I feel like anyone who doesn't jive with that community will not be welcome, regardless of their intentions.

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