Attention Seekers

Twittering our own trumpets [by Amelia Harris, mX, p 5 - 4 Sept 2009]

Our love affair with social networking sites, such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, is turning us into narcissists, a new research reveals.

A poll of university students reveals that more than 50 per cent believe their friends use Facebook, MySpace and Twitter [not to mention blogging sites!] for self-promotion and attention-seeking.

Two-thirds of the 1068 students interviewed by Ypulse and Associate Prof Jean Twenge of San Diego State University [California USA] said they thought their generation was the most narcissistic ever.

Twenge said students weren't afraid to dish the dirt on their friend's self-centred habits.

"Students are right about the influence of social networking sites - research has shown that narcissistic people thrive on sites like Facebook, where self-centred people have more friends and post more attractive pictures of themselves." she said.

But social media expert Dr Jason Wilson, of the University of Wollongong [in NSW Australia], said it was imporant not to generalise.

"Some people use it for career advancement, some to keep in touch with family and some just to muck around," he said.

Wilson said his observations of Australian university students using social networking sites, specifically Twitter, showed they wanted to "point to interesting things on the internet, converse and muck around."

"It may not be about showing off and being narcissistic, it may just be a desire to engage with other people and have fun," he said.

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For me, networking sites provide the basic of most human need - to socialise, to interact with fellow human beings. In a busy world that we live in, what better way to connect but via the internet and mobile/cell phones?

These two technologies have revolutionised the way we interact with each other. Even in third countries like the Philippines, "texting" and messaging have created a new form of communication, with its own slangs, abbreviations and mores.

To paraphrase Graham White,  it gives us individuals power to shape our own destiny: our own individual activity gives us the power to shape our social experience and perspectives. Instead of the traditional role of socialization - of society and institutions creating the individual.

This generation have the advantage of these two intertwined technologies to leave their mark on society and future generations: individuals creating norms. On the way, we tend to muck around, advertise ourselves and have fun! What's wrong with that?

What is your experience and motivation in using MySpace, Friendster, Facebook, Multiply and blogging?

For me, to network with like-minded individuals, not necesarry my "friends"; but more of acquaintances, old and new. Reconnecting with old mates, relatives and in the process either rediscover old friendships or create new ones. This is so exciting and I can do it in the privacy of my office, home or even while commuting. In the end, if I meet a friend it is all worth it the effort of typing in a small and tiny keyboard!