Is this the new Facebook?

One of the interesting debates about the internet in the early days was whether it was a communitarian development or one that would make our society more anonymous.

Would it destroy community - because everyone was at home on the computer instead of going out to meet people - or create communities - because everyone could find someone somewhere with the same interest as them?

The creation of social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace definitely suggests that the optimists were right.

But here's an even more exciting development - outside.in

The designers, led by the brilliant author Stephen Berlin Johnson, are aiming to create local networks, linking together posts about a local area that you can access when you register for that area.

This is from Johnson's description:

You sit at a computer and type in a street address, or a neighbourhood name, or a zip code - perhaps for your own home area, perhaps for a place you're visiting or interested in - and within seconds the screen gives you a glimpse of all the textured, real-world issues and conversations and news unfolding in the location you've entered.

Not just restaurant reviews or upcoming concerts, but the broad, bustling range of information flowing through a lively neighbourhood: complaints about the local school; rumours of a new bar opening up next week; a crime report for a mugging the night before; a promising open house this weekend. Up to now, only the most connected local experts in any neighbourhood could keep up with all these evolving conversations. outside.in is designed to let you see it all in seconds.

I think this could be huge. Are you coming to the UK soon, Stephen?