I agree that they are failing at all of the above.
I disagree that they are attempting to solve any of those problems.
There are websites aimed at helping you with #3-- but that's a pretty narrow type of "social network".
For questions like #1, there are sites such as this one, and relevant blogs, where you can discuss business ideas and find like-minded folks.
For questions like #2, you're probably better off walking away from the screen, and mingling in the flesh.
It seems to me that "social networks" are aiming at a different kettle of fish altogether, which is to reduce the friction in maintaining certain types of casual relationships.
Right, and the question remains, are they after the right goal? I think the three I outlined above should be the real goals of a social network -- getting me in touch with the people that I don't know but should know.
I kind of disagree with you on #2. While I agree that it is important to walk away from the screen, social networking can tell you in which direction you should walk. There is no substitute for mingling in the flesh, but it helps if the place you are mingling at is a place visited by people potentially worth mingling with, and there online networks can help a lot.
I disagree that they are attempting to solve any of those problems.
There are websites aimed at helping you with #3-- but that's a pretty narrow type of "social network".
For questions like #1, there are sites such as this one, and relevant blogs, where you can discuss business ideas and find like-minded folks.
For questions like #2, you're probably better off walking away from the screen, and mingling in the flesh.
It seems to me that "social networks" are aiming at a different kettle of fish altogether, which is to reduce the friction in maintaining certain types of casual relationships.