The 19 Strangest Social Networks On The Web: Zombies, Hamsters, Implants And More (PICTURES)

With over 500 million members and a blockbuster movie based on the company's beginnings, Facebook may feel a bit too mainstream for some users.

If you no longer get your kicks from the world's largest social network and are looking for something more personal or unique, alternatives abound.

View our slideshow (below) to see the craziest social networks on the Web--from the strange and sketchy, to the curiously niche.

Vote for the "craziest" and tell us which you'd most or least likely join. Have you seen any crazier social networks? Do you belong to any? Let us know in the comments below or email us at technology [at] huffingtonpost.com.

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[bemgelado]

12:28 PM on 01/07/2011

I for one would like to say that Ravelry is NOT a "strange" social network. With over 1 million users, it's rather mainstream. Although there are groups (such as CPAAG and the Rubberneckers) who use Rav for its social aspects, much of the site is devoted to the expansion of knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning and dyeing. It's a site where crafters can come together and share their projects, ideas, and questions. It's also a place where a lot of people have fun! (CPAAG, you know what I'm talking about.) Anyone who joins Ravelry has joined a community of people who are not necessarily like minded, but who encourage each other to become crafters. (Or to 'neck the drama llamas.)

HP, I say disagree (1)

[Sarah Hankins]

07:18 PM on 01/06/2011

I'm a little puzzled at the selection of "strange" sites. I mean, the sites that are mentioned are for very specific likes, but not so strange. There are odder things out there.

[A Crazy Knitter]

04:23 AM on 01/06/2011

I find it rather odd that Ravelry is considered a "crazy social networking site" when the forums are but a small portion of the site.

The founders did a great job planning and executing features in beta before it went public. Those of us who were members at that time contributed opinions and suggestions are still being taken. With over 1,000,000 members and growing, Ravelry is one of the sources best known to most knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers, and fiber-related business owners as THE go-to website.

Sure, there can be a social aspect for those who choose but it's not mandatory and many members don't access those functions. One of Ravelry's strengths is that its varied features meet most needs of the fiber-related community.

Other website developers could take a lesson from how well designed and properly coded the site is. It's a database, provides a marketplace for patterns, a library for materials owned by each member (individualized), a gallery of in-process and completed projects, and then also the forums. It's cohesive.

Why are so many Ravelry members speaking up? Because we recognize the value in more than just the social networking aspect of a tool we use.

[jtvancouver]

08:41 PM on 01/05/2011

I assure you that Ravelry is not crazy! Ravelry is a wonderful way for knitters to join together in a 21st century revived tradition! Knitting is a wonderful hobby and I have been so happy to join with women and men of all ages to join a true worldwide community. I hope your post inspires others to look into and try this craft. Its not your grandma's knitting anymore....but if it was, that would be okay too!

[TheCarCzarsPage]

11:20 PM on 01/04/2011

Best b2b social site: http://carczarconsulting.com/

[uhenninger]

11:43 PM on 01/03/2011

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am afraid that you (and, sadly, me also) are just feeding a troll. Not in the traditional sense, but still.
This is obviously an article born from "Oh sh** - deadline in an hour and no idea. What am I gonna do?". Catharine: I feel your pain. I've been there myself. (I did write an article about public toilets in such a situation. I'm still ashamed of that.) Still, this is - let us say - rather low.
I don't know about any of the communities you mention. Nor do I want to. That doesn't actually matter. But they exist, they have followers, and quite a few of them seem to be successful. And as far as I can see, none of them is offensive in any way. They are just "Special Interest Groups".
Yet you label them as strange (your choice of words, not mine)
You see, there is this knitting/homecrafting/whateveritis group. Oh yes, people like that are obviously strange. Which probably is why whenever I visit my favourite tobacconist, I see about 12 different magazines catering to people who like to wield a needle one way or another. That outranks even the nudie or computer mags (if you don't count gaming). Makes one think, doesn't it?
Let's just say - yes, there are strange communities out there. The ones you mention are not among them. Not even close.

Somewhat annoyed,
Ulf

[Aria Clements]

11:33 AM on 01/03/2011

I think this list is a paid list. I think the website admins paid to be included on this list. Most of these sites are normal and even mainstream. Ravelry? Really, HP? A million people is a niche?

[Elliott James]

10:03 PM on 01/02/2011

Are the "free" implants really free? Could it be the "gentlemen sponsors" expect something in return for their generosity, and the website exists to make that transaction happen? I find that hard to believe, I mean really hard... to believe.

[Loki42]

02:43 PM on 01/04/2011

Then you don't know men. Many men would happily pay a few bucks to some girl getting implants. Boobs make most men stupid (including myself). Not every guy will fork over cash for nothing. But you only need a tiny percentage of them to put in a few bucks to make a tidy sum.

[the sue]

02:22 PM on 12/30/2010

Catharine Smith should step away from the computer and possibly take up a hobby; something to give her a positive outlook regarding the time and efforts of others.

I would suggest knitting, but I'd hate to see her venture into such strange and unusual territory. Who knows what could develop from creating hand-crafted items for herself and others. Perhaps it is best that her efforts are engaged in random snarking and in creating forgettable posts that show little effort or imagination.

When will women denigrating traditionally female efforts become blasé? (Not a slight against the Rav guys...I know you're there and your inputs and interactions are much appreciated; just going with societal impressions.)

For the Rav creators, if you're reading...the interface is one of the best on the net. Thanks for that, and for building a community.

[Evelyn]

12:47 PM on 12/30/2010

People who post pictures of themselves getting drunk are considered normal, but people who use their own two hands to create beautiful and useful items and then talk about this are considered odd? Hmmm, that's odd.

Ravelry has the best user interface I have ever seen on any discussion board.

[GsCraftsNthings]

04:15 PM on 12/29/2010

Ravelry is AWESOME!!! It's not just about yarn and fiber it's a place where PPL who do have a love of yarn and fiber can meet and discuss other interests in it's ever expanding groups. If you knit and cook, knit and ride motorcycles or are really into one of the fandomes out there they have a place for you to be you! Or if you just want to knit and talk about knitting or find patterns (or publish your own) or even meet PPL locally to you (where ever you are) it's the place to be.

[mksr13]

01:24 PM on 12/17/2010

What happened to the liberal embracing of diversity? Went down the tubes for the sake of your own personal prejudices? Tsk Tsk Huffinton Post.

[TheModernBunny]

03:35 AM on 12/28/2010

I'm a liberal and I agree with you. I don't understand why this piece is supposed to be amusing. The Internet is the broadest umbrella ever, and that's a wonderful thing.

[stinger d86]

01:06 PM on 12/17/2010

I'm shocked they didnt include www.fetlife.com in this list. Its the worlds largest free social network dedicated to alternative lifeststyles of all your kinky friends. From better homes and dungeons, to that couple who has a couple sets of fuzzy handcuffs.

[St Ives]

06:38 PM on 12/15/2010

They forgot beautifulpeople.com, the site for beautiful people

[pastorD]

05:41 PM on 12/10/2010

Another Raveler here. Really, what's strange about sharing patterns? Knitters and crocheters have always done so. Is it a surprise that now it's done on the internet?

A year or so ago, Mo Rocca made a disparaging remark about handmade sweaters on "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me", and a group of Ravelers made him a sweater and presented it to him after one of the shows. There's now a whole thread about HuffPo on Ravelry, with people speculating about whether someone here was hoping for the same treatment? Anyone know Arianna's size, and whether she prefers alpaca, merino, or cashmere? :-)