So it’s Halloween, it’s origins in the ancient festival known as Samhain which is derived from Old Irish and means roughly "summer’s end".
With this we venerate the dead and other such things.
However, I was in Whitby the other day and something else happened … The Whitby Goth festival.
They venerate the dead to boot, but the interesting thing is the manner in which it comes about.
Firstly lets put Whitby on the map. Whitby, seaside town in the North Yorkshire Moors. Not only that but where Bram Stoker first wrote Dracula and subsequently the rest should be history.
It’s a beautiful fishing harbour/beach on the moors but twice a year it is desended upon by "Victoriana" in it’s finest and those of a "Gothic nature".
Fantastic.
I have never seen a group of well dressed people in my life. Decorum.
Here’s the rub.
Social networks.
Think about it. Whether you subscribe to the Victorian nature of the fascination with "perambulating" or "Death" you have to respect that these people typify a "social network". Moreover, I would suggest that they surpass most "networks" by years. the Whitby Goth Festival has been going now twice a year for over 15 years – longer than the beginning of the web – ish. Quite remarkable.
So when I hear of "business networks" or "social networks" I find it hard to let them gain respect when networks like the one I have seen have been going for a lot longer and with more impact.
And this impact has an effect on the economy too. Whitby, as a by-water, relies on the festival to support it’s economy. And so it should.
I have tremendous respect and regard for those that have seen through the tyranny of ignorance. Most of us on this forum have had to put up with ignorance, and it take strength to see it through. These people have, now whether you subscribe to their dress sense or not you HAVE to respect their faith and drive.
This is what it takes to have a social network.
Social networks can exist on a number of planes, social, business, pleasure etc. But all have one thing in common – Network, and non are more special and rewarding than social ones – even business ones.
From the outside world their fascination with "Death" and "Victoriana" may be "weird" but, with respect, no more weird than Corporate life – from the outside you live a strange existence!
It seems, therefore, that social networks work on all levels and so they should. … and so we should embrace them,
I also expect you all to be at the next Whitby Goth festival, I am – it will do me good.
Happy Halloween.
Regards N
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