WildBlueSkies - Trends and strategies in Digital Media

The Internet after all is a reflection of our society, so should we be surprised to see social networking websites cropping up which thrive on exclusivity? Just one more way for the trend towards niche social networking websites.
Take ASmallWorld.net for instance - launched in 2004 and only for the rich and well-connected who don’t want to rub elbows with those who aren’t. Membership is closely guarded, with only a subset of established members have the power to invite new users to join. Discussions here would no doubt center around private islands, jets and political fund raising.
Beautifulpeople.net described as an “elite online club where every member works the door”, is an elite and exclusive community, founded for the purpose of creating personal and professional relationships between people who stand out from the majority because of their attractive appearance and personal qualities.
To become a member of BeautifulPeople applicants have to be voted in by existing members of the opposite sex. Over a three day period members will rate all new applicants based on whether or not the members of BeautifulPeople find each profile ‘attractive enough’.
DiamondLounge, which bills itself as a private members’ club for the rich, famous, and powerful, plans to launch Oct. 1, while Luxuxyratings.com is due to launch sometime next year.
As Vincent Cerf put it, “If we do not like what we see in that mirror the problem is not to fix the mirror, we have to fix society.”

Related reads:
Way Too Good for Facebook or MySpace?
A Facebook for the Few

Filed under: Business, Digital culture, Ideas & Innovations