Social Networks and the Couch

The term “couch surfing” is not new and for most of us means sitting on the couch using your laptop to surf the Web. No doubt for most that’s mucking around on Facebook or Netlog catching up and emailing. But how about couch surfing for…a couch?

I’m often looking into how social media tools are impacting our daily lives. Looking for the changes, subtle and significant that are happening to our society. I was intrigued to see a change in vacation options/services that prior to Social Media tools would have been extremely hard to pull off. This is CouchSurfing.com and home swapping for vacations.

Couch Swapping: Not for the prince and princess. This service is free and you might end up on an air mattress, futon or lumpy old couch. But you do get a free place to stay.

Home Swapping: Just as it sounds. You swap your home with someone else in another country for a vacation period. There are a few of these, mostly with paid annual memberships such as Home Exchange and Home Exchange Vacation. Here you’ll have a better idea of what you’re getting into.

Prior to the Social Web and the tools therein, these services would be extremely hard to access. Newspaper and magazine ads would have to be taken out, letters exchanged and phone calls. Very clumsy and high in friction in terms of the transaction cost to operate.

It’s these little services that not only show the value of social media to our direct lives, but also shows that such tools enable us to better experience other cultures and communities. In these small ways not only do we get better vacation options, but we come closer together as a global community. I’ve had the privilege to travel on business and pleasure all over the world…it’s these social tools that keep me connected to friends in Europe, Africa and Asia….maybe I should send one of my freinds an new couch…

(Author: Giles Crouch, Principal)