Rock My Network (excuse x2)

Firstly, I wanted to apologize for not getting my blog in on time. This is becoming a nasty habit of reading the essay on Friday and then waiting to do the blog and never having time. I was at the Browns game and instead of having computer access all weekend our internet was out.

Ironically, I read this essay almost three weeks ago FOR FUN, so I was happy that I could read it again knowing what I already did.

I think that the author of this essay is like everyone else in that she craves that 'social satisfaction.' She wants to have friends and more friends and basically, it boils down to I have lots of friends so I'm a special person. BUT, she defines friends different than anyone I've ever met in person. For me, personally, I have a handful of close friends -- maybe five to ten. Then, I've got dozens of other friends, in a much more general sense of the word -- people that I've met, and I see usually twice a week. We get along and enjoy each others company, so I consider them a friend.

I think that in Rock My Network, the author lumps everyone into one large category of "friends." She uses all of the social networking sites to make more 'friends' and meet new people. Having used a couple of notable sites, I think that is absolutely fine, but I found it pretty sad that she found herself recognizing people in real life and yet she still called them by their online username, which brings me to another point.

Reading through it a second time it become ever more clear to me that her perception of the people she meets is diluted. I've talked to many people on the internet through forums and such and it is very hard to gather a perception of what they are really like in real life. Even when a picture is provided someone who seems outgoing and bubbly could actually turn out to be shy and even cold. So, that being said, I'm pretty sure the author is obsessed with the virtual friendships and in return neglects the true friendships that she formed as a child and into her adulthood.

Since mostly no one will discuss a late post I'll put down two thoughts.

1) I personally feel that the author is too wrapped up in the virtual word of friends and thus she will hurt her family relationships and even childhood relationships.

2) The author seems pretty honest in her intentions of meeting new people of 'social' levels. I think that she needs to understand that having a bazillion friends doesn't make you a complete human being.