[gordonc]

I dunno, I'm 26 and equally baffled by every new mobile/social fad. I think technology and late stage capitalism does something strange to culture, leaving a void where religion, music, or some sort of dialog traditionally exist, so young people are following the logic of consumerism, going to whatever gives instant gratification and a semblance of meaning.

That's the best explanation I can come up with the success of things like foursquare, instagram, etc. and the rise of online gaming.

There were probably assholes like us saying the same shit back in the 50s though - why do these people stay inside and watch TV when they could see ART at the Cinema!?

[patrickk]

" I think technology and late stage capitalism does something strange to culture, leaving a void where religion, music, or some sort of dialog traditionally exist, so young people are following the logic of consumerism, going to whatever gives instant gratification and a semblance of meaning."

I think humans have an inbuilt desire to worship, or believe in, something higher than themselves. Even if such desire is deeply subconscious. It manifests itself in all sorts of ways, including Apple fanboyism. Just a theory.

Btw, I think "social" is an utterly over-hyped fad, and I've predicted this on HN in the past (I'm 24, to give perspective). We could even be looked back on "social" ten years from now, the same way we look at the internet bubble ("what were we thinking?!?").