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I still remember that one of the most widespread expressed issues and concerns at the Web 2.0 conference 2007 edition were about the asserted impossibility of finding available room for new social networks, in light of the fact that it was entirely occupied by well established social networks of the likes of Myspace, Linkedin or Facebook.

A new and different position appeared at the recent Web 2.0 Conference European 2008 edition (Berlin 21-23 October): the already established social networks are actually providing a lot of room to possible newcomers because they fail to offer facilities that accomplish more "noble" purposes to their users.

Based on this consideration, new kinds of social networks are being born:

1.Social networks dedicated to pursuing humanitarian, ecological, not for profit purposes

2.Social networks designed to boost and manage common projects, even for local communities

3.Social networks targeting niches

Here are some examples of each kind of network:

1. Green thing
www.dothegreenthing.com
Green Thing is a community created to help as many people as possible in as many countries as possible to "do the Green Thing". A community of Green Things across the world will not only result in considerable CO2 saving, it aims to encourage governments and businesses to do the Green Thing as well.

Green Thing is an independent, not-for-profit network powered by grants from foundations and individual contributions.

2. Amazee
www.amazee.com
It was presented as a promising start-up at the Web 2.0 Conference. It is a "more evolved social networking site designed to empower individuals and small groups to launch global initiatives".

Amazee was built to channel activism and provides powerful tools to help project initiators organize, cooperate on, promote, and fund projects of any size with participants from anywhere around the world.

The fundamental reason behind the Amazee start-up is the fact that it is designed to satisfy the higher ranks of Maslow’s pyramid of human motivations, meaning the need for self-esteem and self actualization, while Facebook and co. normally do not exceed level 3 (need for love and belonging): this is the thesis reported by Dania Gerhardt, co-founder and COO of Amazee, at her pitch at the Web 2.0 Conference.

An Amazee project example: to take the children belonging to an African village to the movies http://www.amazee.com/kids-dixie

3. Kozarac.ba
www.kozarac.ba
It is a local social network to support returning immigrants in a Bosnian town. It is so local that it is not even available in English.

The network helped significantly with town reconstruction after the war and refugee evacuation.

(Check Lee Bryant's great slides about "niche social networks" on Slideshare)

So far, so good.

Let's not argue about the relevant business models, we are now in a higher moral sphere. The question is: are we really sure it won't come to a point where it will be much better to lean out of the window to initiate social networks with our neighbours?

Posteribus arduam sententiam...