no, its myspace
Well I must say I feel as though a burden has been lifted ever since I got off of myspace. Since that time I have realized more and more what a waste it is. This has also made me consider how productive and useful blogging is, though that is a whole other issue. Myspace in itself is not bad, but there are so many outlets for foolishness and 99.9 percent of the time it is used in that way. And yet it has become a cutural phenomenon, exploding in every level and age of society. Here is a excerpt from an article in businessweek.com about the myspace generation:
"A preeminent spot among these virtual hangouts is MySpace.com, whose membership has nearly quadrupled since January alone, to 40 million members. Youngsters log on so obsessively that MySpace ranked No. 15 on the entire U.S. Internet in terms of page hits in October, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. Millions also hang out at other up-and-coming networks such as Facebook.com, which connects college students, and Xanga.com, an agglomeration of shared blogs. A second tier of some 300 smaller sites, such as Buzz-Oven, Classface.com, and Photobucket.com, operate under -- and often inside or next to -- the larger ones."
"Although networks are still in their infancy, experts think they're already creating new forms of social behavior that blur the distinctions between online and real-world interactions. In fact, today's young generation largely ignores the difference. Most adults see the Web as a supplement to their daily lives. They tap into information, buy books or send flowers, exchange apartments, or link up with others who share passions for dogs, say, or opera. But for the most part, their social lives remain rooted in the traditional phone call and face-to-face interaction."
Why is myspace such an attraction? Myspace has reduced communication to its cheapest form, made it okay to be somebody that you're not, and has created another way to waste time. Users can leave comments, much like on a blog, on the person's profile. These comments usually amount to nothing but childish gibberish. I would put some samples of comments in here, but most would be too vulgar or crude to post. So what is the deal? Myspace has become a "cool" thing to have. Whether you're college age, high school age, or even still in jr. high, myspace is something that you have got to have to fit in and keep in touch with your friends.
In the most recent episode of "Dateline," the topic was online sexual predators. This is nothing new in our society, but they happened to specifically mention myspace.
"When “Dateline” surfed MySpace, we found scenes of binge drinking, apparent drug use, teens posing in underwear, and other members simulating sex, and in some cases even having it. We also found less provocative pages like Shannon's was, but potentially even more dangerous. Teens listed not only their names, and addresses, but even cell phone numbers and after school schedules.
Parry Aftab, Internet lawyer and safety expert: '[It’s] one stop shopping for sexual predators, and they can shop by catalogue. '"
I was not suprised when I saw this episode. Being that the main range of myspace users are young people, it is a candy shop for sexual predators! Not only is there access to soft porn, but kids give out personal information left and right. Here is an article from Yahoo! News:
HARTFORD, Conn. - Police are investigating whether as many as seven teenage girls have been sexually assaulted by men they met through the popular Web site MySpace.com.
The girls, ages 12 to 16, are from Middletown and say they were fondled or had consensual sex with men who turned out to be older than they claimed. None of the incidents appeared to be violent, said Middletown Police Sgt. Bill McKenna.
The social networking Web site allows users to create profiles that can include photos, personal information and even cell phone numbers.
Having said all that, I would challenge young Christians to rethink this whole myspace thing. Is it really something worthwhile? Is it helpful in our walk with Christ? When I was on myspace, I felt as though I were just like everybody else. I would leave comments that had no value, and my profile was just a very vain way of boosting my ego. I thought I would go insane if I didn't have myspace, and I am all the more happy now that I am off. I encourage all of you to seperate yourself from the world by not reducing friendship to stupid comments, but instead to challenge the norm and not do what everybody else is doing. It is a fad, and it is one that I will not be a part of.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. "
Romans 12:2
I suppose now I'll have to quit blogging. Oh, but I could never do that........
posted by stephen @ 9:02 PM
36 Comments:
Steve, I commend you. I rejoice in seeing God at work in you. Sanctifying you, for His good pleasure. Thanks for the heads up, on the subject of myspace.
God bless you much
You didn't come to group for this.
Yep. Too much "homework."
You know I realized if you replaced the word "myspace" with "blog" or "blogging" it would still make sense. I think there is a big difference, though.
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This was homework?
No, Brian this was not homework.
Exactly. And yet you posted it at 9:02 which means that you had to write it while we were at the study.
Hey Stephen maybe you and Anne want to come see Curious George with me, Kev, Claire, Grace, and Jimmy on Friday. I don't know what time. You should give me a call.
I don't know If I can cause I work on friday. Saturday would work for me, though. I want to see it. I bought the soundtrack off of iTunes.
I recently heard of that report regarding the sexual predators on Myspace. Indeed, Myspace is a fad and to certain extent, it can be bad stewardship of time. But the same could be said about TV or any other pleasure. Although, most of my friends on Myspace are family or friends from church (for contact purposes), I have to agree, there are many users of Myspace that use very little discernment and wisdom when posting private information.
Stephen
I forgot you were working. I don't know about Saturday morning. Kev said he might have to be at work at 11 instead of 2. If he is working at 2 then we could probably go in the morning.
or we could go sunday
Maybe
T&Z-
I agree that myspace can be a waste of time just like many other things. I play halo online proabably alot more than I should. The problem with xbox, tv, movies and things like that is that we we have to limit ourselves on how much time we spend doing whatever it is we do. I am certainly not accusing you of this, but it is hard for some young teens to define the line between play and "social needs." They view myspace just as a regualar part of life, and they have no convictions over how much time they should (or should not) spend on msypace. They wouldn't spend hours and hours watching television, but they would spend hours and hours on myspace. And because so many people are doing it, why should they think about whether or not this is helpful to them. I'm just speaking generally here, of course.
If only I had an Xbox... I guess the PS2 will do for now... :)
Anyways,
"... but they would spend hours and hours on Myspace."
What I'd like to know is how all these young teens spend so much time on Myspace? How does anyone spend so much time on Myspace? What is there to do on Myspace? Even if one left a few comments or messages with their friends on Myspace, that'll only take no more than 5-10 mins.
Hi Cuz!
Long time, no talk. How about getting together sometime? Miss you. Great post!
T&Z-
I'm not neccesarily saying they would (or could) spend hours and hours on myspace, Its just that they wouldn't think twice about doing it (unlike tv, xbox, ps2, etc.). Young people think they need social connection at all times, however cheap it may be. You are a grown man so I'm sure you can only spend very little time on it with a full-time job and all.
"Dateline" interviewed myspace and they asked what age group uses myspace most. They said 75% of users were above 18 which really suprised me.
Useless fact? I think not.
actually,i bet that statistic is not true, because people have a tendency to lie about their age. and i see no distinction between the blogging world and myspace steve-o.
You're right about that Jordan. But I think it is true. Most people I know who have myspace are over 18. Especially here at RCC. It seems like an epidemic here or something.
As for the difference between myspace and blogging, I think most people would agree there is huge difference. There are so many reasons why, but I don't have time right now. Lets go get coffee or something. Call me.
POST SOMETHING ELSE!
Matador I would have to disagree with you. Here's why:
Nuclear Power Nuclear energy in California has produced 36,186 million Kilowatt/hours of electricity in 1995. The total dependable capacity of California’s nuclear-supplied power is 5,326 megawatts, including the two operating nuclear power plants in California and portions of nuclear plants in other states owned by California electric companies. There are two ways to release energy from nuclear reactions: fission and fusion of atomic nuclei. Electricity generating technologies are available, whereas fusion is still in the early stages of research and development. Nuclear fission is the process of splitting the nuclei of atoms, which releases energy from within those atoms. Nuclear fusion is the process of joining, rather than splitting, these atoms with similar releases of energy. There are several types of fission reactors in the United States but the most common is light water reactors. The reason they are called “light water reactors” is because normal (light) water is used to cool the reactor core; some reactors use heavy water, which contains hydrogen atoms with an additional neutron in the nucleus. Pressurized water reactors (PWR) and boiling water reactors (BWR) use uranium-235, a naturally occurring radioactive isotope of uranium, as a fuel. As the nucleus of a uranium-235 atom is hit by a neutron, it splits into smaller atoms of other elements, and releases energy and extra neutrons. Those neutrons hit more atoms of the original uranium-235 creating a fission chain reaction that releases more energy and neutrons. In a PWR, water passes through the nuclear core and is heated. The power plant’s primary circulating system passes water through the reactor core, where the water is heated by the nuclear reaction. That water (under high temp and pressure to prevent boiling) is passed through a steam generator, where it releases its heat to the secondary circulating system. Water in secondary circulating system is allowed to boil, and the resulting steam is used to drive a steam turbine-generator. In a BWR, there is no need for a steam generator and a secondary circulating system, as the water in primary circulating system is allowed to boil before exiting the reactor and is then routed directly to a steam turbine-generator. There are only two nuclear power plants out of six that are still used in California. The first one is owned by PG&E named Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant near San Luis Obispo. The Plant has two units; the first unit is a 1,073-megawatt PWR, which began operation in May 1985. The second unit is 1,087-megawatt PWR, which began operation in March 1986. The second plant is owned by Southern California Edison Co. and San Diego Gas & Electric named San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Unit two of that station is a 1,070-megawatt PWR that began operation in August 1983, while unit three is a 1,080-megawatt PWR that began operation in April 1984. Below is a chart of nuclear power plants in California: Nuclear Power Plants in California Name of Plant Capacity (MW) In Service Owner Diablo CanyonUnit 1Unit
Elementary, but useful nonetheless.
Forgive me. I too often refer back to my juvenile past.
Okay Stephen enough of this.
POST SOMETHING ELSE!
(I took Matador's job of encouraging people to continue with their blogging)
Maybe you should continue with your blogging. Did you ever think about that?
Steve, This is Tracy from church. I just wanted to tell you that I am impressed with your blog. You have very interesting things to say. I also saw that Dateline special about sexual predators and that was the first I had heard about myspace. It was a good warning to anyone about putting personal info on the internet.
BTW Denis and I like a lot of the same music as you.
Okay Stephen enough of this.
POST SOMETHING ELSE!
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Gracious, Brian. You weren't even on myspace.
HA! Now you have to delete your comment.
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Guess who it iiiiiiiissssssss... So I was pretty bored today and decided maybe I will try this blogging thing out. Anyway spread the word, I want friends so I don't get bored of this thing haha. Later
I've tagged you. :)
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