This Reuters article on the “Twitter Effect”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31969740/ns/tech_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/
follows Deborah Sinder’s article on Social Networking in how basically what is “gossip” can impact public and peer perception thus.
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/10things/?p=875
To quote the Reuters article:
“If people don’t like the movie now on Friday it can die by Saturday,” said Paul Dergarabedian, president of tracking firm Hollywood.com Box Office.”
The IT industry has seen the same effect with software such as Microsoft’s Vista. While Vistas lack of adoption centered on a lack of driver support with older but still functional peripheral devices like printers, scanners, the “gossip” did hurt Vistas sales.
Discrediting negative and often untrue gossip and inuendos is very tough to do once enough people believe it.
Does social networking gossip effect you or your company? Is social networking simply a venue for individuals who like to gossip?