My Space or NOT?

Why is it that sometimes one hears about something and then it seems as after that point you run across the item repeatedly every where you turn. This is true for me and “My Space.” Lately, my friends have sent invitations to join My Space or I guess actually add ‘my space’ to ‘their space’. Yes, I always DECLINE! Why? Not 100% sure but the whole concept gives me a strange vibe.

Maybe its too close and personal into another’s life… Maybe I have my own network of friends and do not feel that commingling them is best all the time (learned that back in college)… Maybe I choose to keep my friend’s comments private…Maybe it is that I might just get addicted and begin believing I can hang out at home and thus would never exit to network…Maybe I feel as if I would spend useless hours reading “nothingness” when I could be gaining knowledge on important events, policies, and such.

Yes, as evident, I BLOG; however, I would like to think the topics or feelings portrayed in my rants are fundamentally based in knowledge, inner thoughts, and/or reason and not intended for socialization. Who knows why I choose not to join but all that aside, recently increasing controversies over the site and its lack of commitment to the safety of minors have surfaced. I even have a personal friend (sorry, don’t even ask as I am sworn to secrecy) placed on probation from their teaching career because minors (who should have never been allowed access) entered the site. The parents complained that the other “friends” on the site were questionable in nature. I complain that the parents were enabling their children admittance to the profiles. Today the AP released the following article in regards to the social networking site.

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=1575129

So, yes, ultimately it is the responsibility of parents to ensure the safety of their own while outside and INSIDE the home but lets get real and take a swift look around!!!!! Even in the suburbs where you would anticipate parental guidance to be of utmost importance, it is failing. This past month, in my own hometown, a mother was accused of throwing a huge party including alcohol and numerous minors. So even though Internet Privacy and Security Lawyers list tips such as those found in the below link, it would not surprise me in the least if the majority of parents with children on these sites never take the time to research and ensure proper procedures are in place.

http://www.myspace.com/misc/tipsForParents.html


Back to my friends… do I think any less of those who choose to partake in the exchanges of the site? Heck NO, I believe to each there own; that is what makes us all unique in our own little ways. If others want to hang out and network, socialize, what ever, I am fine with that – it is just NOT really my cup of tea (I prefer plain black when cold & green when hot - thanks.) Okay, all humor aside, just as I would not invite EVERYONE I know to the same get-together (for reasons I am sure you all can imagine); likewise, I do not wish to gather everyone in the same environment in cyberspace. And to make matters worse, anyone can attempt to crash the “Private Party” or at the least, view & research your sanctified circle. Oh, the DYNAMICS AND DRAMA that brings to the table! As my New Years resolution was to stay away from drama and my progress report is already appearing obstinately dim, My Space is the last thing I need in my life. Okay, so maybe I am just selfish!!!! Or worse yet, I guess it is just because I am plain weird (in a good way I think.)

Usually when people meet me in a social setting they write me off as just your average girl. Evidently, it becomes evident I am not! While others are pounding the track at the gym with their new Ipods & jamming to their latest crazes, I am listening to news radio. In fact, yesterday during my work out I was educated on the Dream Act, http://www.nilc.org/immlawpolicy/DREAM/Dream001.htm.

Topics also included: what Texas is doing to aid in pollution control, the trouble the Texas Parks system is facing and the history of Al Jazeera. It has been this way my whole life, back when I was forced to swim the mile, I would compose speeches in my head on current affairs. Meanwhile, I believe most of my friends were mentally singing their favorite CD. Others keep thinking it will change, but it never does - this is how I am wired. Last July when my best friend came to town, she rifled through my magazines and asked “Is this for real, where are the good ones?” For some strange reason she still can not fathom that I would rather read “Industry Weekly”, “World Oil”, & “Fortune Small Business” over “In Touch” & “Style.”