One thing that has always frustrated me with social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and now Google+, is that people overshare. People that I value for insights into certain topics almost beg me to debate them in unrelated fields: do you know how many Christian Socialists are out there? 
With Twitter and Facebook, you see everything someone distributes. What if you could just choose the stuff you like? Why do I have to ban every goofy game on Facebook? Why can’t I just say, “NO GAMES”?
This led me to believe that I am probably oversharing: do you know how many people with autism aren’t Lutheran? Why should you suffer through all of my technology posts when you may be my family and all you want is the cool things my kids do?
Google+ Circles are half the answer. A circle is a group of people that I give a message to. I can ensure the people in my Family group only see things about the family without having to wade through everything else. Less stuff for them to read means they may pay more attention to the stuff I’m putting out there. You can’t do this with Twitter and Facebook at all without separate accounts and pages, respectively.
Here is the other half of the answer, which nobody is doing. What if a Google+ user could look at some of my circles that I make publicly available, and request to join those circles? What if a Google+ user could see that they are in my family and my religion circles, and just want to be in my family circle? What if a person just wants the Time Out podcast commentary, without the political posts?
There is a way to do this: I as a Google+ user announce which circles I have where people can opt-in or opt-out. It’s not as efficient as you just being able to pick your topics, and I might suffer a little ego hit when you don’t like my politics. But what a way to cut down on the information overload. What a service to one’s neighbor, when you only give him the stuff he wants to read.
So, beyond the normal Google+ circles, I have circles for my church, Lutheranism in general, autism, and politics. I may add a technology circle, if there’s interest. If you have a Google+ account and want to join a circle you don’t think you’re receiving posts for, let me know.
You hit on exactly the problems I’m having with G+. I don’t want the political and religious views of most software developers, but there’s no way for me to get just the technical posts. Or if someone uses circles to discuss something but I’m not included in that circle because they didn’t think I’d be interested I won’t ever see them.
Your autism circle is the perfect example. Definitely something I’m now interested in, could you please add me, but wouldn’t have known you had this circle without this post.
Done!
I have had the very same thoughts! Just joined Google+. We’ll see if it wows me.
I’m a bit confused. I’ve been doing the “Circle” thing on FB with Groups for over a year now… well, not as much as I could, but I have a Family Group, one for fellow pastors, one for high school and college friends, one for my various games, etc. Maybe you can help me understand how circles are different than groups.
I originally did it so I could quickly see immediate family members’ posts w/o having to wade through everything else. but I learned I could set the post security to Specific People, and then type the group name in the blank.
Hmmm. I may have to try the Facebook Groups thing out, especially since there’s no Google+ love for BlackBerry yet.
Thanks!
Just created a group in Facebook. It looks like its own wall, not just a group of people I can assign access to anywhere. Am I understanding that correctly?