Love it or hate it, Facebook has become a phenomena in American society. Did we ever “friend” someone until a few years ago?

In The Accidental Billionaires, author Ben Mezrich (21: Bringing Down the House), himself a graduate of Harvard, chronicles the beginning of this social networking site at Harvard in 2004 when it was still called “The Facebook.” Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin, undergraduates and friends, recruited two other students to fine-tune an idea that began when Zuckerberg hacked into the Harvard computer to link to dormitory “facebooks” of student residents. Coming close to being expelled, but getting 22,000 hits in the first two hours of his initial attempt that he called “Face Mash,” Mark Zuckerberg and friends went on to found “The Facebook” with each having a percentage stake in their fledgling venture.

A rival group of Harvard students, who had the idea for a similar site called “HarvardConnection.com” (later to become ConnectU) complained to the President of the college of an honor code violation, since at first, they had spoken to Zuckerberg about helping them build the software for HarvardConnection.com. President Lawrence Summers choose to stay out of the matter, The Facebook continued to exist, and some of the founders moved to Palo Alto for the summer of 2004, never to return to Harvard as students. The group sought and found venture capital investors, but not without a re-incorporation maneuver by Zuckerberg to dilute the 30% stake originally held by Eduardo Saverin.

Hence the name change to “Facebook” and Mark Zuckerberg retained a controlling interest as the major stock holder. He remains heavily involved in the venture and has become one of the youngest billionaires in the world.

As to the adjective “accidental” in the title, why not read the book or listen to the audiobook to decide how much that term should apply to the founding of Facebook?

Jean Salkeld – Administrative Offices

Anyone know what’s going on with Jon & Kate this week? Or where Megan Fox ate dinner last night? How’s Mischa Barton doing after, you know, the thing? How was your sister’s date with that guy? Did she text you from the restaurant? Have you uploaded those pictures of the kids to Flickr yet? Have you pulled up the real time traffic for your commute?

Moving beyond “how to” guides, Hal Niedzviecki’s provocative new book The Peep Diaries is one of the first efforts (that I’m aware of) to marshal the latest evidence and ask a deeper question about this surfeit of information. If technology and the “instant update” have radically changed both our information appetite and our information diet, what are the social consequences?

Starting at the point where pop culture and technology intersect, Niedzviecki catalogs the emergence of what he calls “peep culture” and argues that “we’re all learning to love watching ourselves and our neighbors…. You need to know. You need to be known.” Niedzviecki cites blogging, reality television, celebrity gossip, and social networking as the pillars of peep. He argues that this “perfect storm” of new media developments and new technology has radically changed both the rules and possibilities for the exchange of personal information in society. In aggregating our fractured pop culture this way, Niedzviecki holds a mirror up to our appetites and concerns. “Suddenly, all things once sacred and private… are to be observed and consumed.” As we indulge the impulse both to watch and be watched, Niedzviecki argues that our identities and values are challenged and transformed.

Niedzviecki’s investigation is a must-read. He uses a range of examples (some of which, by way of warning, are mature in theme and content) to suggest that recent changes in our attitudes toward celebrity, privacy, media, and technology are pervasive and transformative. Ultimately his is a thesis about our voracity for information and knowledge in the twenty-first century, and about our changing perception of what constitutes valid or essential knowledge. Take a look at The Peep Diaries, then come back and share your comments about peep culture.

John Jewitt – Savage Branch

Everyone knows what April 15th is, right (and I’m not talking about the last day to file your taxes)? If you’re drawing a blank, check out the image on this page; today is Highly Recommended’s first birthday! Exactly one year ago we launched our staff blog (available 24/7 via cyberspace) with the intent of doing what we do best – suggesting outstanding books, DVDs, music CDs, and Library classes and events. (BTW we have recently expanded the scope of Highly Recommended to include materials for teens and children.)

Let me take a few minutes to both wow you with our first year statistics and highlight how you’re using the blog:

• The number of hits received on all pages during Highly Recommended’s first year: 75,000+ (I have to confess that, as the current editor, I may have contributed "slightly" to this figure!)
• The number of blog entries thus far that have been posted on Highly Recommended: 258
• The five categories receiving the most hits in descending order: DVDs, fiction, audiobooks, music, and nonfiction
• The number of views for the most widely read blog post — Grey’s Anatomy Original Soundtrack: 810
• The average amount of time spent on individual pages in Highly Recommended: 2 minutes

We love hearing from you. Based on the numbers above, we know we’re connecting with the community; but your ability to comment and interact with Library staff creates a dynamic synergy, taking Highly Recommended beyond just annotations. Web 2.0 gains its uniqueness and power via the collaboration among users. Through feedback you can tell us what you liked or didn’t like, as well as pass on suggestions. We also encourage you to relay similar or read-alike titles — both library staff and the public will benefit from the dialogue.

I speak for all staff bloggers when I say we have thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to propose stellar choices for our readers. Thank you for visiting Highly Recommended. We look forward to hearing from and interacting with you!

Fritzi Newton – Miller Branch

Sites like iTunes or Napster require you to purchase music, but did you know you can share music without buying it? And it’s legal! Web 2.0 has ushered in a revolution in the world of music. Explore how to create, listen, and share music playlists for all tastes.

Brian Auger and Beth Tribe will demonstrate several music-sharing Web 2.0 sites. Then learn how your music from your computer can follow you into your living room with the Squeezebox. This class is a must-attend for any audiophile.

Please join us for the music-sharing class on Wednesday, October 27 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Miller Branch. Register online or by calling 410.313.1950.

Beth Tribe – Central Library

What does the term "social networking" bring to mind? Do you immediately think of MySpace or Facebook and feel it’s only for kids? Flickr, YouTube, LibraryThing, Geni.com and del.icio.us are all also considered social networking sites. But what do photos, videos, books, genealogy, and bookmarks have to do with networking?  

Join Katie George and Beth Tribe for a class on social networking. They will explain what the different Web 2.0 sites have in common, and what defines them as social networking. You will also see demonstrations of Facebook, LinkedIn and FriendFeed. Learn how moms, dads, grandparents, and businesses are all using social networks to connect, participate, and interact on the Web.

Please join us for the social networking class on Monday, October 27 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Miller Branch. You may register here or by calling 410.313.1950.

Beth Tribe – Central Library

Are you confused or intrigued by such phrases as Web 2.0, the read-write web, or user-generated content? Have you heard of sites such as Flickr, YouTube, or Facebook? Have you ever read a review of a product by a consumer, commented on a blog, or tried to keep track of family and friends? If so, you may be using Web 2.0 features or applications and not even know it. 

What started as a very static and passive way to view information is now YOUR Web. It is a collaborative, dynamic, and fun place to visit, contribute, and explore. Web 2.0 is everywhere – businesses use it, politicians use it, libraries use it, and now you can learn to use it.

The Library is offering a 5-part series (attend any or all classes) on Web 2.0. Join me and several other staff members as we explore what Web 2.0 is all about.
 

Beth Tribe – Central Library