I think there's a problem here with "doomed to frivolity" in the
framing of the question. Frivolity doesn't necessarily mean lack of
meaningfulness.
Although the definition of frivolous is supposedly to be without
serious purpose or value, the same is often said of play and it's a
false division. (Longer rants on this on my blog - also see Pat Kane's
book, The Play Ethic). Most of our face to face conversation is gossip
and gossip nurtures social bonds and structures.
Social networking is actually what we would naturally do all the time
if we didn't have to work and it is what we do when we aren't working.
That's why you go for drinks at the end of the day, have dinner, hang
out, play sport together, etc., etc. Social networks are the movement
back into normality, a reaction against the Industrial Revolution's
Protestant work-ethic mind/body and play/work that has dominated our
culture for the last 150-200 years.
The question should really be, "Are work environments doomed to
seriousness?" Answer: http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/2006/cubes/
Best,
Andy
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Andy Polaine
Interaction & Experience Design
Research | Writing | Education
Twitter: apolaine
Skype: apolaine
http://www.polaine.com
http://www.designersreviewofbooks.com
http://www.omnium.net.au
http://www.antirom.com
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