The Social Frontier

Social networking: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the modern human. Their continuing mission: to connect virtually with everyone they know, to discover information about others without their notice. To boldly post just enough pictures and words online so as to be properly represented but not stalked and ridiculed.

Unless you are ancient, like my grandma who “doesn’t do the computer,” it is almost a requirement to belong to some form of social media, because without it you might become lost. There seems to be an infinite amount of social sites but most people in the world have signed up for Facebook, a lot are commenting on Twitter, and united nerds tend to geek out on Tumblr. They aren’t mutually exclusive but whichever portal is your main internet home tells a lot about who you are.

Facebook was made, as reported by The Social Network, to connect college students, and fulfill one man-child’s dream of being the cool guy. But it has transformed into the modern day acropolis. Everyone who wants to be a part of society starts by creating a profile. Unfortunately for those first inhabitants, that means their mothers can now read about all of the minutiae of their previously guarded lives. This effectively has changed what was originally a bustling community of people craving a wider range of worldly adoration into pictures of children and overly sentimental status updates. Going on Facebook is a trip down memory lane, literally looking at the timeline of your friend’s and families’ lives. The best part about having a Facebook these days is the little “f” buttons elsewhere on the web that mean you won’t have to personally plug in your own information to sign up for a different site.

Twitter, on the other hand, is a much simpler program than Facebook, but is harder to become good at. On Twitter, anyone who wants to comment on the world can by telling a story in 140 characters or less. That is its’ basic function. You put the words in and publish. But the goal of Twitter is to become a person that can stand on a soapbox and have people actually care about what you’re saying. This platform is ideal for aspiring comedians and writers. If you want to be known then you have to tell people who you are. But thank goodness the word count is restricted, because if you can’t tell people who you are in a succinct way, no one is going to care. Tweeting can be entertaining and informative, but it can also be a way to let people know just how crazy you are, so be careful. Or you can be one of those specialty Twitters that go on to get a TV deal, which will eventually tank (seriously, are any of them still around?).

And then, there is Tumblr. If Facebook is a family reunion, and Twitter is a party line, then Tumblr is a dark basement plastered with all of your favorite things. Fangirls (and boys) basically run the show here. If you have an interest in obsessing over anything you are greeted with open arms. You have complete control over what you look at, whom you interact with, and how often you emerge. Tumblr is home for creative and nerdy people alike. The amount of pictures, words, videos, or gifs you can look at or publish is endless. If you are interested in a particular band or TV show or even a specific artist or writer you can find it. If you want to share your knowledge, skill, or just your profusion of feelings you are welcome to do so in abundance. And even better, you will be able to find those who are obsessed with exactly the same interest. While Tumblr seems to be a solo sport between you and your computer, the community online is a supportive and excitable group. Follow the blogs you like, spazz over the celebrities you will never be able to meet, and in the interim find your people.

Social networking may be in its’ adolescent stage, it probably hasn’t even reached puberty yet, but its’ purpose boils down to one sentiment: “I just want to be a part of the conversation.” No one likes being left out and so as the world seems to become more and more interconnected it is important to have places for like-minded people to gather. Is a virtual meeting any less meaningful than a “real” one if what is being discussed is important to the people taking part? I certainly don’t know the answer, but that won’t stop me from spending my days hearing only my own laughter echoed off my computer screen.