I’ve read and reread Michael Arrington’s screed on the state of PR today. No doubt he’s had his full of moronic pitches from overly enthusiastic types pushing this story or that. Many of the pitches will be totally inappropriate for TechCrunch.

If you’re an entrepreneur, he’s got some great basic advice laid out. He also has some dangerous ideas that, once again, show me that some of the people out there who become somewhat successful in a relatively short time have: a tendency to assume that most aspects of marketing are somewhat frivolous and that all one has to do is follow these small steps.

Competition and one upmanship are natural in SNS's. I think they're essential and happen whether they're designed into the SNS or not.

Back in 2000, Amy Jo Kim wrote the best book on best practices and strategies on how to start, build, grow, and maintain online communities in Community Building on the Web : Secret Strategies for Successful Online Communities

Creating a space for your members to “show off” or “express themselves” is less important than giving members to interact. They crave connection and will pursue any perceived connection such as shared interests, hometowns, movies, orientation, or schools.

The main reason why SNS’s are so appealing is not because people are exhibitionists but because people crave connection and community. Too many folks who are jumping onto the Social Network Services bandwagon lost site of what an SNS actually is, including the real motivations for joining them as a registered member.