Going along with the post Jennifer posted a couple days ago, I stumbled upon a Dr. Phil episode that was about the impact that face-book has on intimate relationships. The show focused on how face-book and networking sites have taken over "real" life relationships. He mentions how not only do online sites take over and even ruin everyday relationships, but for some people online sites have altered their way of "social contact." For example, one of his guests, a 19 year old boy, was using face-book to meet girls to "hook up" with. Instead of going out in the real world to meet people, he was using the internet as a substitute. Another guests was telling his story about how face-book ruined his relationship by other's comments which can provoke unnecessary fights and or jealousy.
My take on this issue: Dr. Phil explains to the audience how intimacy in face to face relationships are being dominated and somewhat destroyed because of the convenience and popularity of these online sites. It is so available and open for the public to learn and actually know what one individual is doing at any particular time. Face-book's Status updates and news-feeds cater to exactly that. Twitter is also a culprit to the notion of losing relational intimacy between people. If every can read about one another's interest, favorite books and movies, favorite quotes, jobs, education, friends, and general basic information like one's birthday, the idea of "getting to know someone" goes straight out the window. The idea of a stranger is no longer present. Since everyone and their mothers are a part of face-book, face-book can look like an online database of our society. Online networking sites are so prevalent and influential in our society that it has changed parts of our culture. This can be proven simply by looking at language. Terms such as "friend" are being used as verbs, i.e: I'll "friend" you on face-book.
I don't necessarily think that online networking is a bad thing. However, i do think that online sites should not interfere or act as a substitute for meeting people or having intimate relationships in real life. Online sites should support or act as an addition to everyday face to face relationships. I think that having real life face time with another is far more meaningful and influential to a human being rather than using online sites to do the work for you.
Check out this clip from the Dr. Phil episode.
If you don't want to watch the whole thing, fast forward to about 4:45 and meet Vince. In my personal opinion i find him quite repulsive in the way he views how social life/meeting girls should be.
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