APRIL 14, 2009

The New Definition Of Community

I am back to my favorite topic - Web 2.0 and how it has transformed the way we connect with each other. Specifically, I find online social communities fascinating in the way they form links and bonds between people who, in all likelihood, would never otherwise cross paths in life.  Two of these communities - CouchSurfing and ClutterCast - have recently stood out to me for the way they deliver mutual benefit, fill very specific needs, and even create lasting bonds.

CouchSurfing is a social network that links travelers with people all over the world who are willing to offer up a bed, a couch, or even a floor - for free.  A recent post about CouchSurfing on the Frugal Traveler blog at The New York Times says that it “fosters an atmosphere of cultural exchange and friend-making” and is “the first step toward cross-cultural connection and the idea that… ‘there’s more to love out there than fear’”. Lofty goals for a website run by volunteers, yes, but that’s the point - the simple site is able to accomplish so much just based on the spirit of the community.  Last month, CouchSurfing’s membership reached 1 million people, and the stats on CouchSurfing’s home page are impressive: 1,041,032 “Successful Surf or Host Experiences”, 1,215,264 “Friendships Created”, 1,959,877 “Positive Experiences”, and 231 countries and 56,910 cities represented (all as of today, April 14, 2009).

This quote from a CouchSurfing member sums up why this site is making such a difference:

I have met and stayed with some incredible people through CouchSurfing. These are warm, friendly local people who a regular tourist would never meet, and their travel experience would be far richer if they had. Besides the obvious benefit of not having to pay for accommodation, CouchSurfing allows travellers to experience a country and its culture from within, instead of just as an observer. Inevitably, a CouchSurfing host will introduce you to his or her friends, and take you to the places that they enjoy. Basically, you can become part of their life for the time you’re visiting. I promise your life will be richer through your membership to CouchSurfing.

ClutterCast is another site that connects members with the mutually beneficial goal of allowing one person to clear out clutter and the other to get something he or she wants or needs. Darryle Pollack started ClutterCast in January because she was drowning in clutter and had resolved to start getting rid of it. Rather than just donate it all, she decided to give it away, item by item, to people who demonstrated a need or desire for it.  She has tinkered with the format a few times since January, but now she posts a new item every day, and, based on the comments she receives on the post, chooses a deserving winner and sends the item out. All she asks in return is that the recipient send her a photo of her item in its new home.  She has also launched a forum to connect other cluttercasters.

Today’s Cluttercast post features links to an online radio interview with Darryle about the site, as well as to other bloggers who are starting to cluttercast from their own sites. I love that this concept is catching on - that there are increasing amounts of connections and links being created all over the world with the simple goal of getting things from people who don’t want them to people who do.

The possibilities for the use of these social networks are endless: Petfinder, BookMooch, AnySoldier - these are some of my favorites. I truly believe the world is a better place for all of them.