Just what the world needs -- another social networking site

[5300cs]

I dislike social networking sites, actually. I have no accounts with any of them.

Same here. I barely have any friends off-line, I see no need to make fake ones on-line

 

[DrStrange]

i like forums much better. it's much more intimate.

 

[Ttownbeast]

I think we can all agree that legitimate human interaction is preferable to various online methods. But you make it sound like these people would be social butterflies if the online option did not exist - an assumption that sounds crazy when you actually verbalize it. Even without the option of online only communication, these people would probably not be seeking "alternative 'real world' connections" anyways. So it's another case of something vs. nothing.

I think that the social interaction deal when it comes to online vs offline has more to do with inhibitions of a polite society, many users have developed a dual psychological nature thanks to online communications in my opinion such as the anonymous good girl acting out their private slutty fantasies, or the average Joe blow who plays it up like they are some rich successful playboy who can do or say anything and a lot of these are people who have decent social skills in the real world the internet is not just for lonely introverts seeking connections there are a lot of well socialized outgoing people out here in the digital medium who on the surface seem rather boring until you turn on your computer and crawl inside a few of their heads nympho sluts aren't always as slutty as they make themselves out to be in real life (yes they do enjoy the sex of course but are a bit more reserved compared to what they type--I've yet to have one last all day as advertised, but still pretty good ) and some of the tough guys not quite as bold in reality but quite personable. And before anybody points at me about fantasizing myself I am a realist when it comes to sex with women online, I never had a ten nor would I claim such but I have had plenty of 1-5's and a few 6's

Of course I like how George Carlin said it better "I've never had a 10, but I've F****d 5 twos!"

 

[anjinha]

Although, I think there are cases where that would be true, I don't think I agree 100%. I think that there are a lot of people that choose to socialize over the net because it's an easy way to fill (though not completely) the social void in their life. I believe that everyone has a 'hunger' to socialize, so to speak. If the net wasn't around, I believe many of these people would force themselves to go out and make friends so that they could be socially fed.

I've experienced this very personally in my life. There was a time where I was feeling rather lonely and it wasn't until I made the decision to get out there and just talk to people that the loneliness started to fade. I think to myself that if I had chosen to set up a facebook account and make friends that way, that I wouldn't have developed many of the social skills that I have gained from my experiences talking to others.

Of course, I'm no sociologist. Right now, all I have is a bunch of theories about the effect social networking is having on people. Are teenagers that are growing up on the internet going to be missing vital skills that will help them in the work force because they never were forced to just get out there and make friends? I'm not sure and I look forward to the eventual studies that will inevitably come out based on this topic.

P-Worm

You're only looking at the negative aspects and at the extreme cases. Facebook can be used right:

- I have an aunt that moved to the Netherlands 2 years ago. She likes to check my FB and twitter updates to see what I've been doing and sort of keep up with my life. We also talk on the phone sometimes but because calls are expensive and with the timezone difference and my messed up schedule that's not always possible, so FB and twitter are good ways to keep her posted.
- When I go to my hometown instead of having to call all of my old friends I post it on FB and it's actually a great way to reach everyone who is available to make plans all at once.

So it's not that I use social networking instead of actually meeting people: I use it to keep contact with people I can't see all the time, and it's actually quite effective.

Also, I had a friend who recently had leukemia. He was in a sterile room in the hospital for a long time so visits were very limited. He started using FB and Twitter and started a blog to keep in touch with everyone who couldn't go visit him. It was a great way for all his friends to know how he was doing.

 

[redwarrior]

Me neither. They're stupid.

Funny that you say that. (Pardon me please for not reading the whole of this thread.) But, I just took a real estate social media marketing class, and the service at the top of the list was Facebook. They actually recommended that, instead of driving potential buyers around, pound the virtual highway, specifically networking sites - facebook, twitter, and then linkedin, plus bunches others.

So that is what I've been spending my time doing. I've already connected with several business people that should help to further our careers. It's kinda sweet actually, if managed properly.

Of course, it's all business. Socially, I'm still an introvert.

 

[Dmac77]

...I'm no addict tho. You know...the ones that update their status every 2 minutes.

Oh like my aunt? She only comes out of her bedroom to eat (or should I say, to put food on her plate, then she crawls back into her cave), and to use the bathroom. Otherwise she lives in her bed with her laptop on Facebook. It's really kind of creepy.

But anyways, I don't mind Facebook. I'm not addicted to it like my aunt, but it's a good way to stay in touch with people. I don't see the point in any of these other social networking sites.

As to Twitter, I just don't get it. Why do I care if you're doing your nails, or if your on the toilet, and why should I care about your moo shu pork?

Don

 

[.Andy]

Oh like my aunt? She only comes out of her bedroom to eat ( or should I say, to put food on her plate, then she crawl back into her cave), and to use the bathroom. Otherwise she lives in her bed with her laptop on Facebook. It's really kind of creepy.

She's living my dream.

 

[Dmac77]

She's living my dream.

I could see taking a break and doing it for a day or two every so often, but she does in 24/7/365. It's disgusting.

Don