Years ago I worked at a major tech publication right about the time things like Facebook and Myspace were becoming popular. Consequently my colleagues and I received emails nearly daily that all shared one phrase that we all rued. We hated – and still hate – the term, “not just another social network”, because every time another social network was launched the phrase used it to try to explicate just how “special” it was. The words cut us. There was a “not just another social network” dedicated to Toyota Prius owners; one for yo-yo enthusiasts; and even one for those who collect World War I era dummy firearms. Few social networks, then, made us take note, and fewer still do today. Those scars run deep.
But then I made friends with a charming social network called Crushee. It was awhile ago and it was in a closed private beta. I was asked to take a look and share my opinions with the small cabal in charge of the site. It was cute, but obviously still growing. The most important thing, however, was that it operated in a totally different way than the big social networks, like Facebook.
Crushee isn’t about keeping in touch with the awesome people in your life; Crushee is about meeting and gathering new awesome people into your life. Going in, I had only one or two people I’d be able to say I “knew” on Crushee. Now I’m best friends with everyone there.