Social media has been great for connecting, business networking, conversations.....but in a sense it has taken us away from the real world. It is in essence the exchange of bits and data. Words can be very emotive but they still lack that physical world attribute of touch, taste or smell.
That is why I believe social media will merge into a new social business model. My PhD is looking at how 3D printing can be a catalyst for a new social model.
Instead of transfering "bits and data" we will have the ability to transfer real objects. We can design something for someone else to print out...we can send a photo of our family table, and someone can print it out wherever they are....
This social aspect of being able to share real world items, allows the sharing to become even more emotive, even more.....well, human.
Social media has brought the world closer in terms of connecting but social business will bring the world closer in terms of physical items.
It's an exciting time to be alive.....a time when distance doesn't stop sharing of ideas or even things...
