Culture: Socializing via Social Networking Sites

I recently got a Twitter. I had an account years ago when it first surfaced and I found it to be the stupidest thing ever. Most of my friends who used it pretty much utilized it to argue with each other subtly or just brag about the things they got or the stupid crap that they did, etc.

Well, after a good 3 years of not using it, I’ve gotten another account.

Why? Well, I joined a social networking site for the city of Columbus for new people to meet each other. The only way that you can really get to know each other or communicate is if you have a website, Twitter, or a blog. Or you just randomly cross in the street one-day and shout to them, “HEY! I saw you on Cbusr! I think you’re cool! Wanna chat?!”

I get the feeling that wouldn’t be very smart. Nice way to start a conversation, but it may not last very long, or they’ll just keep walking away from you.

A few of the people whom I let know that I wanted to meet on the site have added me on Twitter, since they have their own accounts. But I don’t communicate with them too much (via Twitter or in person).

Honestly, I’m still trying to see the point to using Twitter to begin with. You can only type 140 characters. Most of the stuff you’re going to say could be said on Facebook in a more detailed fashion.

True, you can connect to celebrities, musicians, politicians, news networks, artists, writers, etc. But they don’t know you personally, so what’s the benefit in adding them?

In a way, I think it desensitizes people from communicating in real life. Honestly, I think most social networking sites do.

You can talk to a person online through all of these social networking sites and get responses, whether it’s friends, family or complete strangers.

But can people do that in person, face-to-face, anymore? With family and friends, sure! Complete strangers, hell no. Unless they are really good at bull-shitting, meeting people on the fly or flirting.

Me? I personally suck at meeting people unless it is planned ahead of time. If I went to a random party where I knew no one (and I have before, several times), I just cannot interact with a random stranger. It’s not because I don’t have the confidence, because once you get me talking, I’m pretty laid-back, friendly and comfortable.

But throwing myself out into a sea of strangers just doesn’t work well for me. I’ve even approached someone and tried to start a simple conversation a few times, but it eventually dies within 5 minutes.

Is it because we are becoming a culture were verbal communication is no longer needed? Don’t get me wrong, I love writing! I think I express myself more when I do write.

But I know for a fact that I can hold down a conversation on several subjects for hours. I’ve done it before.

It’s just getting people to actually talk and respond back, especially people who do not know you, is a problem. It’s like random, social interaction is just shunned now. How does everyone think we procreated before technology? Our ancestors openly talking to each other. Heck, even our parents probably just went up to each other, started a conversation and fell in love.

I’m seriously coming to the conclusion that I am just odd and I should just stick to sitting in random cafés across the city with my Macbook Pro or a book or even a notepad and pen while I people watch, my iPod with ear buds planted in my ears and drinking a Chai Tea Latte because its my favorite drink from a coffee-house and because I hate coffee.