One of my favourite bloggers was complaining the other day that he had come to the conclusion that "social networking" sites like Friendster, My Space and Big Muscle are just an excuse for good looking, photogenic people to show off and elicit compliments. It started me thinking about it all.
The whole "profile" thing is apparently rampant. It seems like everyone has an internet personae or two squirreled away somewhere – even my mother. But what are they and why is it so hard for people to come out from behind them? Does communicating with someone via a profile mean you can (usually) get only a two dimensional experience, a binary connection with them?
I must admit that for me this thinking has been kicked on by someone I know*, who claims he is in a satisfying relationship. The strange thing, to me at least, is that both he and his partner check out Big Muscle every day. Not just most days EVERY DAY. Now I enjoy looking at hot guys as much as the next red blooded fag, and I will admit I have had my own high consumption periods, but I am single. And when I have been involved my interest in outside distractions has been much lower.
It seems weird and a little sad to me but maybe I am naive.
When I discussed it with one of them, the other one being about as emotionally approachable as pack ice, he explained that for him it was about getting positive affirmation. OK, I get that too. BUT EVERY DAY? Dude, you're with someone. Doesn't that fill SOME of the gap?
Thats my reaction, and I really like positive strokes.
So its time for another little poll, lets see what the internet has to say about this one. Please feel free to leave a comment if you have something more to say.
[poll=8]
As a final note, let me say that I am not a prude. I think its up to any couple to work out their own balance. In the end it really is none of my bloody business what anyone else does. I am not judging, I am questioning. Since my own last relationship went pear shaped I have been trying to work out how things work so that I will be in a better position next time.
Oh and I know this topic will stir up some contention soI thought that might bet interesting.
*Absolutely NOT who you think
2 Responses to Whats in a profile
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An interesting, but not surprising result from this survey, since lets face it we always set them up to support our own biases.
The only interesting resutl is the one vote for “No. And burn in hell soulless sodomite.” You would ahve to ask what someone giving that answer would be doing here reading my blog. But due to the magic of the internet, Googles fabulous analytics and some deduction on my part I have a 99% certainty that I know who that one is from.
And its a personal “burn in hell” for me rather than a general one – which is nicer dont you think?