| One of the 21st century's youthful social phenomena | | | | humanity to a lot of exciting, new technology and it |
| is probably rewriting all known sociology textbooks. | | | | is a wonderful thing. So many things that were once |
| The authors of those textbooks never would have | | | | tedious are now incredibly convenient tasks. I have |
| even dreamed of such things like instant messaging, | | | | to admit that texting has been useful for me as well |
| texting (or SMS in some areas), MySpace, Friendster | | | | but the difference is my relationship with those who |
| and blogging. Put the sociologists of yesteryears in | | | | are dear and close to me does not revolve around it. |
| today's wired world and surely they would be left | | | | I do not say this to admonish today's youth. The |
| scratching their heads and wondering where the | | | | point is I still prefer the personal communication as |
| humanity in relationships has gone. | | | | far as my relatives and friends go. |
| "Dude, you don't get it!" | | | | A web analyst once remarked that the popularity of |
| For those of us who probably "don't get it", we | | | | sites like MySpace and Friendster is due to the |
| should reach really far back and call up the idea of | | | | immediacy of the members' personal information such |
| pen pals. If you were one of those who had a pen | | | | as their hobbies, likes and dislikes, photos, as well as |
| pal, remember how you used to look forward to | | | | a level of anonymity for all the members. Up to this |
| receiving your pal's letter in the mail? Never mind if | | | | day, I still have a hard time reconciling how |
| the letters came every other month, there was no | | | | anonymity can be an ingredient in personal |
| other choice at the time. The main thing was that | | | | relationships. Does it not take away from real |
| the pen pal cared enough to write and you | | | | communication? |
| enthusiastically wrote back. And what about the | | | | "Chill dude, we're just having fun!" |
| stories you shared in your letters? Detailed | | | | Fair enough. I am just worrying that today's |
| communication! Nowadays, there are text pals or | | | | teenagers' idea of communication is using words |
| text mates. A typical message would probably read: | | | | made up of consonants and numbers and no vowels. |
| "C u l8r at 7". The reply would be a simple "K". Come | | | | Maybe this is also part of the convenience that |
| to think of it, I suddenly feel sorry for K's one-time | | | | technology has afforded us. It would be a pity if |
| inseparable partner, O. | | | | some of today's youngsters become slaves of |
| This, I humbly submit, is where all humanity ends. | | | | technology instead of putting it to good use for |
| I am not implying that the human race will end | | | | themselves. Picking up all these bad habits early will |
| because of social networking, but rather what makes | | | | be harder for them to break later on. |
| us humans. Life in the 21st century has introduced | | | | "Dude, you worry too much. |