Life is complicated enough without a cluttered Internet. Social networking Web sites have just given this muck a megaphone.
Despite everything that’s wrong with the Internet, many Web sites have the tendency to succeed in their original goal ‘- bringing people together.
Unfortunately, users are starting to neglect this original goal, instead choosing to obsess over the content of their profile pages and news feeds. They are spending less time concentrating on the quality of messages they send to others.
The intense popularity of these networking sites has made our lives louder, and that in turn has forced other Web sites to evolve into something bizarre.’
Web users have abandoned the notion of belonging to a community in lieu of becoming narcissists who only want to look at their own reflections.’
Ironically, they are losing their lives by paying attention only to themselves. Social networking Web sites were created to help Internet users get to know others, not tirelessly expound on themselves.
Bringing people together is an honorable goal. Internet sites have the ability to organize people into interest groups and allow users to reach individuals from all parts of the world. ‘
Social networking can be more useful than just a time-killing tool. As people funnel toward a common goal, they can quickly improve what can be accomplished.’
A recent video created by students at the University of Quebec at Montreal featured dozens of students singing and dancing along to the Black Eyed Peas’ recent hit ‘I Gotta Feeling.”
The video is unedited, showing students’ ability to organize and come together in a composed manner. Its content is not serious in nature, but it represents UQM students’ ability to work together.’
Enhancing viability and productivity is what students should be using social networking Web sites for.
There may always be negativity surrounding these Web sites. But with thoughtful effort, operators can redirect the megaphone and send a message of unity and not vanity.
Travis Hensley is a philosophy and communication senior and may be reached at [email protected]
