I've heard two "Platial Encounters" recently which inspire and even direct our efforts for 2008.
Here they are.
A Platial member who we'll call "Theoretical" was a pretty passive user who social mapped some of his most important adventures including an obscure kibbutz in Israel. A few months ago he got Platial mail from someone who had spent time at the kibbutz and they exchanged stories about the place, the people and how they were drawn there. Theoretical lives in Portland and his new/old friend lives in the UK but they found each other on a map and they've kept in touch since! Theoretical is somewhat of a savvy social software skeptic since he has no time for "making new friends online" and prefers sites which just keep him in touch with people already in his life.
Scootdown is also Platial user (actually we met him on Platial and now he's a good friend too). He's more active than Theoretical and has seven interesting maps. One of his maps even won an award last year. Scootdown created an architecture social map of RM Schindler buildings. After a little research adding to what he already knew he had mapped six buildings. Just last month, he got Platial mail from the owner of another Schindler building that he missed. This property is now on the map and he keeps in touch with his fellow Schindler enthusiast collaborative mapper.
I'm sure there are lots of Platial Encounter stories but I heard these right before the holidays. This is what social mapping is about...The possible chance encounter on a social map of "People Like Us" no matter how niche. It will get easier to meet people anywhere in the world no matter where you want to go. The places we go especially those that are obscure say something about us and meeting other people who've been there is a good starting point for having even more in common. It's the most exciting thing in the world to me! Have any Platial Encounters to share? Please send them.
Happy New Year and Happy Mapping. Big Shout outs to all of the great maps and mappers of 2007. Soon well be sending out nominations for the 2007 map awards, Winners will be announced at the end of January.
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