The Thing with Online Social Networks

Ask any person aged 16 to 35 (who has access to the internet) if they are members of any of the online social networks, i.e., Friendster, Multiply, Facebook and the like, and I'm willing to to bet my bottom peso that they most probably are. The fact that the recent decade has seen a phenomenal increase in the membership of these online social networks is a testament to the very basic need of people to socialize, and to a more base extent, to project oneself as someone they aren't. Don't get me wrong, however. Online social networks do have their advantages--for one, they actually help people touch base with old friends, and they could serve as a cool alternative to emails in terms to messaging. But that's about it.

More often than not, the network of friends or contacts of people in online social networks are composed mainly of friends of friends, or people they've only met once, and who they deem worthy to call their friends. In fact, some people even invite complete strangers to be their friends or contacts--something that defeats the purpose of having online social networks as a means of updating oneself on the goings-on of friends or contacts. In effect, these online social networks are merely popularity contests--a race to see who has the most friends or contacts, and who has the most comments or testimonials left by friends and contacts. Not only are they pseudo-popularity contests, but also, these online social networks are a PR tool--an effective way of putting one's best foot forward, even though most of the time, the best foot may actually just be what one aspires to be. Indeed, if you carefully read the "About Me" pages of Friendster and Facebook or Multiply, you would be surprised at the fact that most of your friends would have probably read Plato's "The Republic" or the Bible, or even Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" or "Anna Karenina"! Wow. And you thought that the book "Ibong Adarna", which you read in High School but deemed fit to put in your "About Me-Books Read" Profile was gonna impress. And what's funny is, you never knew that you had such scholarly friends, or that in fact, your friends, at the very least, actually read.

What's also creepy is the fact that I know more of my online friends (meta-friends) than I do most of my real-world friends. And I'm sure most of my online friends know more about me than I do myself. Obviously, they know that I like drinking myself to death, given the fact that I'm always on the receiving end of a barrage of all types of drinks in Facebook. They also know that I'm most likey to corrupt the minds of young people, or most likely to get rich or die trying. My online friends also know that I liked to be poked a lot, or being cock-blocked, or being high-fived, etc. How very presumptuous! In the first place, only my real-world friends who are also my online friends have the right to poke or send me drinks since they probably know me well enough to figure out what my likes and dislikes are. All others should get to know me first. While online social networks can be fun to use, sometimes, the annoyance that I get from friends and contacts who are "feeling" gets to me real good.

8 and Counting

My org batch recently celebrated its 8th batch birthday without the pomp that usually attends my batch's birthday celebration. In fact, it was a fairly quiet birthday celebration at my house, with only a few other select orgmates outside the batch in attendance. Despite the no-frills feel of the party, I'd like to think that it was one of the best, if not the best party we've ever had--evidenced by the fact that the Sweet Inspiration Mongolian buffet, the keg and 5 cases of beer that we ordered, including the several bottles of Johnnie Walker Black and Blue, were consumed by the time the last orgmate left at around 5am. Everyone had his fill of song and games, as there was a long line of songs in the karaoke system waiting to be sung by over-confident singer orgmates, followed closely by a long line of athlete-wannabes eagerly waiting to play the Nintendo Wii console. By the end, everyone was buzzed on his own accord, and not even the most junior orgmates could complain that there was any hint of irrational seniority that pervaded the air that night. It was truly a night to be enjoyed, for the spirit of true camaraderie and genuine kinship was, as it is true for all our batch birthday celebrations, present.

It was especially fun to see my org batchmates, 8 years older than the first time we met each other, goofing around and doing the same antics we did 8 years ago. Perhaps it was also through divine Providence that none of my org batchmates whom I so detest made an appearance that night, lest they ruin everyone's night altogether. What made the night more special was the presence of my org buddies, save for Doc Dasma (who was doing the rounds in the hospital) and the basketball player (who had already gone home to the province for the holidays). Ever so dependable, they helped me entertain the guests, and were the last to leave, helping me clean up the hundreds of bottles strewn all over the place. Also worthy of note, and very consistent, is this orgmate who, when he says that he will go (despite the fact that he couldn't stay up late and couldn't drink much), always finds time to go (and even stay til late) and drink even a couple of bottles (if only to humor me, probably). These are the orgmates I'd go the extra mile for--people who can depend on me because I know that I can depend on them, too. Irksome, however, was the fact that a couple of orgmates who confirmed their attendance did a no-show, and did not even bother with the simple courtesy of informing me that they wouldn't be following anymore, especially since I included them in the headcount for the food preparations. How very disappointing, to say the least. I hope they all curl up and die for all I care. I'll make a mental note never to agree to any favors they ask of me again. Another hitch was the car accident that my boiler room buddy got involved in. Thank God he's OK, although I couldn't help but feel a bit responsible for him figuring in the accident. Next time, I'd be sure to serve some hot soup or congee, or coffee to help my guests sober up before they leave for home.

It was also nice hanging out with the younger orgmates. It made me realize that they are more mature than most people in their age group, brought about by the training that the org gives us. Surely, PROPER guidance from the older orgamtes can help them do well in whatever things they want to do or accomplish for themselves. My org batch party also reminded me that old habits, good or bad, never die. On this matter, my org buddies would know what I'm talking about. It's best to leave it at that! Happy Holidays everyone!

Frankfurt or Bust!

I recently received my letter of acceptance for the Master of Laws in Finance Program from the ILF in Frankfurt, Germany [click on the title of this post to view the ILF webage]. I was also granted a scholarship so I'd just have to pay a token amount as part of the tuition fees, in addition to my duties as a student librarian, where I have to put in a couple of hours a week. The feeling is surreal, as I wasn't too confident in getting accepted, given my rank in class, which is slightly below the requirement for acceptance of the ILF. However, I suppose that my extra-curricular activities and work experience more than covered for the academic shortcomings, if one would even consider such as a shortcoming in the first place. I am actually very pleased considering that I applied only in 2 schools, the ILF and the LSE in London, the results of which will come out mid-January. However, in case I get accepted in the LSE, I am still inclined to enter the ILF (despite the LSE's sterling reputation), because I feel that studying in Germany will open new doors and opportunities--the opportunity to live in a truly foreign country, the opportunity to learn a new language (which I wouldn't be able to do in London), and more importantly, the opportunity to travel around continental Europe. I have a feeling that people in my position would take the easy way and opt for London. The adventurer in me tells me otherwise, and so I'm taking the road less travelled. ShaiSe!