Lots of end-of-year internet usage stats are coming in. For the first time, in the US at least, Facebook surpassed Google as the most visited website.
This is from Reuters (by Jennifer Saba):
The social network site edged out Google.com (GOOG.O) with 8.9 percent of all U.S. visits between January and November 2010, while Google.com ranked second with about 7.2 percent of all visits, according to online measurement service Experian Hitwise.
Facebook’s move to the top spot shows just how quickly the site has grown in popularity. Within the span of six years, Facebook has become the world’s largest Web social network with roughly half a billion users worldwide.
Google.com dominated the top spot as the most visited website in the United States in 2009 and 2008. News Corp’s (NWSA.O) MySpace was the No. 1 visited website in 2007. It is ranked No. 7.
However, when all of Google’s properties are considered — such as YouTube and email, for instance — Google still reigns as the most visited site at 9.9 percent between January and November 2010. Facebook follows at 8.9 percent. Yahoo (YHOO.O) and all of its properties ranked third at 8.1 percent.
So connecting with others has become more important than finding things for oneself. In the language of my previous post about basic human needs and self-determination theory, the need for ‘relatedness’ has triumphed over the need for ‘autonomy’. That’s my vastly over-simplified way of looking at these huge cultural shifts!
Bridges and Tangents 
Is there e a message behind this desire to relate to others? Is it a need for recognition, a form of lonesomeness, or an ego-driven narcissistic desire to have their voice heard? Is it perhaps a desire to remain anonymous to their peers while expressing derogatory opinions of them or perhaps all of the above?
turbut your old friends who are lonely could probably give you a better answer, But I think Its probably to Love authentically and respectfully and in deepest truth. To share life from their perspective, to encourage understanding and insight to other ways and trials of life, whilst integrating and learning from others and all growing in grace together.
Blessings of Peace and Love to everyone in 2011 x
Unlike Turbot, I think there is more a desire to be able to relate to others, albeit under less risky circumstances than face to face contact. Networking sites like Facebook allow users to do this without the risks associated with normal relationships and I am sure this is a part of their huge attraction for so many people.
“So connecting with others has become more important than finding things for oneself. In the language of my previous post about basic human needs and self-determination theory, the need for ‘relatedness’ has triumphed over the need for ‘autonomy’. That’s my vastly over-simplified way of looking at these huge cultural shifts!”
I don’t think one is more important than the other. One allows the other to triumph, and the cycle is turned back on itself. I think one is crucial to the other. Autonomy is the catalyst that propels us to discover find and accept ourselves in a way that allows us to less selfishly relate to and Love others.
I think of solace and community
Of backpacking before settling down
Of rebelling then conforming etc etc.
I know these are stereo types but they mirror the journey of autonomy and relatedness and ultimately the momentous journey of birth life and death.
But I think to just remain defiantly autonomous is never to faithfully allow the Beauty of Love and the Truth of God to fill us.