Microsoft has recently launched a movement called the 'Save Social Energy' movement which encourages users to save their social energy. Saving social energy is about having the right attitude and using the right tools to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of time spent online.
What is Social Energy
Social energy is the extent to which people can enjoy being social - both in real terms and online. According to Scott Young, a blogger that seemingly coined the term, "Social energy comes from spending time in a stimulating environment with other people."
Why save social energy
Research has shown that people spend significant periods of time updating their various social networks and checking their emails. According to ComScore, social networking takes up over 18 percent of time spent on the web in Singapore.
Users are spending far too much unnecessary time on online social networks. With new social networks popping up every month, users are spoilt for choice and are engaging with many different people on an increasing number of social networks.
The truth is that if users ask themselves how many of their online 'friends' they are actually in touch with, they might get an answer of about only 20 percent? What about how many emails can a user read per day or how many social networks are users actively on? With all this online social networking, users get exposed to a lot of clutter, and can end up missing out on the conversations that are truly important to them. Worst of all users can also end up feeling socially tired, leading to a lack of productivity, agitation, boredom and restlessness.
Microsoft believes that users should be socializing in a more efficient way, and Hotmail, Messenger and Essentials can help users do that. Connect on their 'Save Social Energy' facebook fan page to find out more.