nosoproject.com - Say No To Being Social

Sometimes, modern life gets too overwhelming. If you need a break and want to disengage from being social by abandoning your networks, ditching your phone and taking a vow of silence, check out the NOSO (short for “No Social) project. Not unlike the quiet “Be-In” protests in the ‘60’s, the NOSO project provides an outlet for those stressed-out by the increasing pressure society places on us to be social by allowing participants to schedule “NO” events. In a “no” event, which could take place at a café, park, or other public venue, participants gather together anonymously and silently for up to half an hour. After the event is over, everyone disperses and returns to normal daily activity. Want to continue being antisocial? Create a profile (“Nofile?) on the site and tell everyone where you didn’t go to school, where you don’t live, and what you’re not interested in.

“NOSO is a real-world platform for temporary disengagement from social networking environments. The NOSO experience offers a unique opportunity to create NO Connections by scheduling NO Events with other NO Friends”.

This bold backlash against social networks could acquire a huge following, especially in urban environments where people are bombarded 24-7 by noisy communication. It should appeal to those jaded by sites like MySpace and Facebook, Blackberrys, and iPods. The site’s interface, in compliance with its motive, is similarly unassuming and discreet.

Based on its very nature, how will NOSO become popular? Wouldn’t that be defeating its purpose? How can the site increase publicity without “selling out”, thereby betraying its message of antisocialism?