Generalizing Bitcoin: Social Networks, FOAF on Bitcoinesque Network

[chetrasho]

Hi,

Sorry if this is a terrible n00b idea... But would it be possible to integrate open source social network crap (eg. friend of a friend) with a bitcoinesque network? So like only users with the proper keys would be able to access your private data over a public, encrypted network.... Just curious what people who know more about this think..

Thanks,
cheche

[BeeCee1]

An encrypted, distributed social network is a neat idea, however, bitcoin relies on broadcasting all data to all clients so everyone would end up with every single post, picture, and video on their computer.  They wouldn't be able to access them without the key, but the amount of data would be staggering.  Nice idea, but unworkable with a bitcoinesque network.

[chetrasho]

But is it necessary for the network to carry all this information?

I imagine that users could manage their own public, encrypted profile. But the network would only keep track of profile relationships and permissions.

So basically the bitcoinesque network would only contain the "social network." Each individual node would contain an encrypted profile containing profiles/images/tweets/etc....

Does that make sense or sound more likely?