In the past, Trend Hunter has covered social networks which are exclusively for the elite. This month, Forbes picked up on the trend, running through their own list of sites for the social elite.
I used to think that the internet was the only place where I could feel as equal as everyone else. Discrimination and alienation based on status, sex, and class does not exist online….right?
WRONG! Now, there are social networks that are exclusive to the rich and famous. In an article on Forbes.com, it is stated that according to Pedraza, too many invites, “pokes” and unrequited connections found on networks like Facebook and MySpace, coupled with the leaks in privacy, made exclusive sites more alluring.
So, a new breed of social networks was born, and you will be surprised of how difficult it is to join one of them. Forbes recently profiled a list of their Top 5:
1. aSmallWorld (320,000 members): This is by far the most active and well-known exclusive social networking site on the web. In order for your membership to be accepted without paying a fee, you need to know someone who is already a member but with a high status. Factors such education level , profession and their network of contacts play into the application. If you don’t know anyone who has good connections, don’t even think about joining. This sounded like real life elite club memberships doesn’t it?...How depressing…
Snark alert! Since I won’t EVER be in this clique, it is my duty to make fun. A banker has launched a VVIP Social Network site that is by invitation only. Yes, a banker with serious self-esteem issues obviously. “Those who make a SmallWorld’s cut must adhere to strict criteria,” Luxury Launches ex… [More]
2. Squa.re: The site features community-generated Internet TV focusing on nightlife, style, high living and luxury travel. The content is uploaded by members who have been approved by the Squa.re staff depending on its quality and class. To become a member, you need to email Squa.re and ask them for an invite. You will need to prove that you are a trend setter, or as I would say it, hot ####!
3. Diamondlounge.com (Follow up, only 150 members?): Modeled on real-world club Studio 54, less business, more fun and dating. In order for you to ‘get in’, you need have good connections, and might need to pay a 50 dollar monthly fee. Yikes!
On October 1st, 2007, Diamond Lounge, an elite online members club, will open for business. A social networking site for the ‘genuine’ elite, Diamond Lounge is very selective on who it lets join (supposedly only 5% of the 5,000 who applied). What does it take to be a member? Success. Sophistication.… [More]
4. HotEnough.org - An online dating site and network for good looking people only:
You may be brave and you may be desperate but you may also be barred from the hottest new online dating website: HotEnough.org The website is exclusively reserved for those rated Hot Enough to gain access. You must be attractive, fit and rated as attractive enough to enter the pool of eligibles, pr… [More]
5. SnubClub - At Snub Club, you actually get to vote on who makes the cut…
Snub Club is one of a growing number of dating sites where members get to vote on who gets in based on how they look. You will be denied entry unless you get a rating of 75% or higher. Exclusive online snobbery seems to be a growing trend amongst elitists who wish to ban less attractive folks from t… [More]
6. ClubOne on Facebook - Not even Facebook is safe from high tech snobery…
For a lot of people, Facebook is a convenient way to keep in touch with others. But Zach Wade also suspected that an equal amount of users use their Facebook profile to project “an ideal image of themselves”. In other words, they want the most friends, they want the most wall posts and they want to … [More]