Lab+4

Connected and Disconnected?

When we log on to various social networking sites, I believe that we are becoming more connected than we are disconnected. I'm going to use Facebook as the prime example because it is the social networking site I frequent the most. Facebook was first introduced as a way for University and College students to get in contact with one another. To talk about various assignments and readings and to find people that go to their same school's and are maybe majoring in the same subject. Today it has grown into a social networking phenomenon. I believe that it keeps people more connected than ever.

Facebook has allowed me to connect with people from my past whom I had thought I would never see again. Although I connected with them digitally, there was still that physical meet-up that was planned. I think that although people are using social networking sites to connect with others, they are using it more for the initial connection. I believe that once the initial connection is made, there is still the idea of an exchange of information to plan to meet up. This may happen in the form of making an event. I once attempted to delete facebook and found that I was very out of the loop when it came to different events coming up. This doesn't include parties with friends, this includes social rallys and protests that were going on that really interested me. I think that as much as Facebook "controls" our lives, it also allows for us to make connections that we otherwise would not make. It allows for a rapid exchange of information that can inform you of a new social topic or even find yourself at a reunion party with all your old high school friends. I think the disconnection is only felt by those who do not utilize these social networking sites properly.