I'm always amused, bewildered and somewhat saddened to see articles like this one. That somehow a piece of software will increase the level of human interaction in the world. That somehow a community will be formed devoid of real human interaction. By real I mean face-to-face interaction. An example being actually leaving your dwelling and, say, talking to your neighbour.

The piece of software mentioned in the article will purportedly enrich the lives of its users because "the traditional library system doesn't do much to foster community." People always like to make things complicated and writing a piece of software to deal with an issue that is purely social is definitely a good way to make things complicated. How about taking all that time spent on the piece of software and actually go volunteer at your local library?

Another amazing thing to me is the view presented by these types of articles which is that we are all somehow naturally antisocial: "if you try to talk with someone holding a book you like - you'll probably get shushed." Where is your library? In a prison? People love to talk about what they like even if it takes a little prodding at first.

Another feature of the software mentioned is the silly personal ranking system. As if real friends can be found by the quantification of the books you like to read. Undoubtedly common reading interests can play a part in friendship but I just find the whole notion that a piece of software and its algorithms lining you up with a good chum proufoundly naive and just twisted. Imagine making children use this method? I think that would pretty much be the best way to cripple them socially for life. Letting some selection process choose who they might associate with. That would be just crazy.

I'm sure the author of the library software isn't advocating the wholesale abolishment of real human interaction, it just seems to be an ever more common view that computers and software will somehow herald a new era in human understanding. Somehow I don't think so. The only way that will happen is if you get off your ass, go outside and actually talk to someone.