This document discusses how applications and playful elements in social networks like Facebook can help create "third places" or online social spaces separate from home and work. It argues that playfulness, rather than formal games, helps foster sociability and community through a shared mood or attitude. Specifically, it suggests that playful activities on social networks allow them to function as virtual "third places" by encouraging performance and identity building through symbolic actions. The document concludes that understanding playfulness and its role in online spaces will provide insights into participatory culture and the dynamics of social media.

1. Facebook Applications, Playful Mood, and the Construction of Online Third Places Valentina Rao / / Factory Girl @ Brunel 2nd Annual Postgraduate Conference 16.9.2008

3. Applications in social networks

4. Applications in social networks

5. Applications in social networks

8. Random outcome, no skills, 2-clicks actions, text instead of gameplay

9. Representation? Performance?

11. Is Facebook a virtual “third place”?

12. Playfulness is a more important consideration than play. The former is an attitude of the mind; the latter is a passing outward manifestation of this attitude (Dewey) Playfulness: cognitive spontaneity, social spontaneity, physical spontaneity, manifest joy, sense of humor (Barnett)

17. Thank you for your attention! Valentina Rao [email_address] www.factorygirl.org