I received a number of interesting comments in response to my post on managing my social networks. I’ve received feedback in the comments here, on Twitter, via IM, in the LSW Meebo chat room and in privately sent email. Lots of people have lots of different ideas as to how to manage their own social networks.

One person took the time to explain why some might be put-off by my relatively aggressive extroversion.* And I get that, I really do. But I’ll take my chances on making a real connection with four people for every one person that isn’t looking for that kind of interaction. Heck, I’d probably take my chances on making a real connection with one out of the five, but that’d be a discouraging rate of return after a while. Either way, it’s better than missing out on all five by not trying.

I was listening to an old episode of C.C. Chapman’s Managing the Gray podcast earlier this week. There was an audio comment from Julien Smith where he elaborated on the concept of one-way intimacy.

Here’s what he means: Content producers who have established a solid community around their content, often succeed in doing so because they are authentic and transparent with their audiences, putting a lot of themselves out there for people to see. Consumers feel that they really get to know the producer in meaningful ways.

But there’s little to no reciprocation. The audience has no real commitment to the producer in exchange for that intimacy. The usual development of mutual intimacy through the two-way sharing of personal insights, secrets and experiences does not exist. The producer doesn’t know the individuals who consume the show in the same way that they know her.

I am fairly open with the audience here in a lot of ways. I share frank, honest, not always popular opinions. I announce the birth of my children. You might say that, to some degree, you know me. And yet many of you have no real intimacy with me. Exceptions notwithstanding, I don’t necessarily know who you are at all.

And, as much as I’m comfortable with that here, it’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid on Twitter and Facebook. I don’t want either of those spaces to be yet another zone of one-way intimacy.

So if you just want to read what I have to say, but don’t want to interact, then you’re already in the right place. I demand nothing of you here, other than a modicum of respect for me and for each other.** But if you’re asking to follow me in Twitter or friend me on Facebook, then expect that I’ll be asking something of you in return.

I was told by a friend that I am “eccentrically counter-cultural” in this regard. And I’m good with that. If I’m not counter-cultural, who is?

* My extroverted appearance is a learned behavior. I’m an introvert by nature and do not function well without a few hours to myself every evening.

** That said, I’d be happy to connect with you. Drop me a line. Introduce yourself. Start a conversation.