Facebook. Who hasn't heard of it? Walk into the lobby of the classroom building or the lounge where the commuters hang out and you will see at least 3 people with their laptops open, drooling and pointing at the newest gossip on Facebook. Social networking goes far beyond Facebook (there's Myspace, Twitter, bebo, flickr, tumblr...just to name a few), however Facebook seems to be all the rage among college students. It is even, on occasion, integrated into the classroom. 98% of my friends have an account, as do I. But at what cost?

Privacy is hard to keep on the internet, and as a young, carefree, excitable college student, I am eager to jump on any kind of social bandwagon that's going to allow me to communicate with my peers more easily and effectively. I use it to pass the time between classes, to keep up with old high school friends across the country, and even to talk about homework. I have set up a group for the MSJ graphic design students, where we can come together and talk about assignments, professors, critiques or just share funny design-related links. With all the positive features of Facebook, it's easy to forget how it is a double-edged sword. Anything I may post to Facebook, including pictures, can be taken and used against me by the people I allow to access my profile. Photos can be used to incriminate others, and words may be easily twisted or taken out of context. 

It is easy to forget these things, because everybody on your friends list is your 'friend'...right? Perhaps, but you can never be sure. This week I cleaned out over 300 people from my "friends list" that I felt did not need to know my every move or have access to my Facebook life.  I have to say, it certainly felt good. I have two specific friends who refuse to even have a Facebook account. Their reasoning? "If people felt they could talk to me over Facebook, the face-to-face interaction would eventually lessen if not stop all together". This is a good point, and one I certainly think about every time I log on to the site. I can't say I am ready to give it up completely quite yet, but as I come closer and closer to the "real world" and being an adult with a career; the less interest I have in maintaining my account.

Hey everyone. I have to say, I am SO happy to be able to be typing this right now. No no, that wasn't sarcasm...for once. These past two weeks have been a little unpredictable and frustrating with the internet on campus. I don't know the entire story, but there were "electrical problems" in the library, resulting in us losing internet for long periods of time the week before spring break. WHAT! NO INTERNETS???  What is a college student to do?!?! 

Well, for most people it was just a mere annoyance. However being a graphic design major, most of my classes right now involve heavy internet and computer work. So every time I would boot up my trusty mac and see the "Unable to Connect" dialog box, I would get dizzy. In fact, my palms started sweating and I began having the shakes. My roommate even considered painting our room navy blue to help me cope with my Facebook withdrawals. Then we realized the dean would probably not be too happy or understanding when it came time to take the paint off. 

Anyways, we finally got the problem fixed (or so we are told), and all connections (internet, email, webCT, etc) are back. For now. Either way, the entire ordeal made my fellow classmates and I realize how huge of a role technology plays in our academic and social lives. What's that cliche saying...."You never know what you've got until it's gone". Yeah, well.....dang, I missed you internet. Over and out.