Tagging enables social coordination that is simultaneously more direct and abstract than collaborative filtering. More abstract since we are exchanging conceptual information. More direct, since there is no algorithm mediating our connection. When we navigate by tags, we are directly connecting with others.This feels especially timely to me given the recent relaunch of Freshtags, which is all about the construction of community in the blogosphere through the use of tags, and the appropriate display of relevant information.
Flickr and del.icio.us both show that tagging helps in the spread of ideas, memes, trends and fashions. A related question - what role does it play in concept development, in social consensus building? ....What role do tagging systems play in ebb and flow of concepts."
Filed in: tagging, tags, webtech, folksonomy
It's particularly interesting in the way people are using it. Only a few have tried to write a phrase as opposed to single worded (or condensed) tags, and most are currently sticking with generic tags such as 'sexy'. Only a few have ventured 'out' to create more interesting ones, one of the most frequently used being 'nakedunderneath'. After that tag appears a few times, we've noted that other users have begun to use it when tagging.