Sessions at SXSW Interactive 2011 matching your filters

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• Engineering vs. Psychology in Social Media: A Conversation

  by Stephanie Dub and Jesper Andersen

  As we continue to embrace all forms of social media, we unwittingly allow privacy settings and engineered functionality dictate the evolution and devolution of our relationships. We're beginning to see a new model of relational progression that is constructed by the levels of 'friendship' or 'following' allowed on sites, not necessarily what is psychologically beneficial.

  With establishing social sites in an industry where success and product value are measured by data sets, user base growth, and scalability comes an ever growing ignorance of the distinction between building a successful service using computers and building a successful model of relationships.

  Is it possible that the immediately fulfilling and addicting satisfaction of social media site use conceals the concept that the rules, metrics, and system preferences which define the world of tech and internet are not necessarily the ones that should be defining our relationships?

  This presentation will take a look at the differences between psychological relational progression and the new world of engineering defined relationships. We will discuss the nuances and experiences that are important to relationships and how they integrate, or don't, with the informal new relationship model that social technology is creating. We'll then discuss how we foresee coming back to a middle ground between socially engineered and naturally occurring relational experiences.

  LEVEL: Beginner

  • Psychology
  • Social Media

  At 9:30am to 10:30am, Tuesday 15th March

  In TX Ballroom 1, Hyatt Regency Austin