Media Monday: Foursquare--Fun, Creepy, or Pointless?

Do you FourSquare?

Chances are you have one of two responses:

"What is FourSquare?"

or

"ZOMG I TOTES CAN'T STOP!!"

FourSquare is a new social-networking site/phone app. It uses GPS and a user-generated listing of businesses, and users "check-in" where they are. They also can leave "tips" about the business. Users get points for checking in at multiple locations, and if they check in at the same place enough times, they can get become the "mayor" of that place. There are also badges to be earned for acheiving different objectives.

This whole system of points and badges and acheivements is a huge part of FourSquare's appeal. Savvy businesses in larger cities are also starting to catch on, creating "Mayor's Specials".

Not everyone gets the point, though. One of my friends called it a "flashy way to trick you into invading your privacy" and that "Now serial killers don't have to stalk you for days, they can just go on a website". Many of my other friends haven't even heard of it. And it's hard to explain it to them:

"See, you just tell your friends where you are, and you earn points for doing that..."

And, as with every other site, there are the users who are naive enough to post where there homes are, or give false or misleading information about a business. But it's a hell of a lot of fun.

For every Facebook, there's a thousand other social networking sites that don't make it. I'm not sure how long FourSquare has been around, but for now it seems to be gaining steam.

Btw, if you want, you can follow me.