Don't Be A Tool, Use A Tool

Reading through this week's reader (...as you do) I can't help but notice that a majority of the problems inherent in online socialisation are caused by those who seperate themselves too distinctly from the real world. E-mail, Messenger and sites such as Facebook can be fantastic tools to the common user if only they take care in using them. These services can connect us to our friends instantaneously to share information, photos and to make plans and arrange meetings easily. Even a blog like this is useful. The simple reason for this is that when you know who you are talking to, when you use the internet to communicate with a friend or aquaintance for the sole purpose of improving real life communication, then the results will always be more favourable to you. Why people with full knowledge of the risks of anonymous online interaction still continue to waste away their precious hours of life communicating in a way that will in no way improve their social self is beyond me. If you want to talk to someone or play games with someone online, meet some people with similar interests first, join a club! Thereafter, you will be able to socialise online in safety and in good humour with someone you know and can interact with in real life. Use the internet as a tool to improve your real life socialisation, don't be a tool and waste this technology which can be so beneficial to the social flower and the shy wall-flower alike!