The Internet & Me![]() Growing up as a Millennial, my evolution into adulthood paralleled the evolution of social media. As an 11 year old, I had my brother’s old “hand-me-down” computer in my bedroom and most exciting, it was a Gateway. This meant that all the cool computer games, like “Sims,” were available for hours of play. My mom’s Macintosh only had educational games. Unfortunately, the computer games weren’t enough once I discovered where all the cool kids were. The cool kids were on the Internet. I went over to a friend’s house one day after school and discovered how much I was missing out on. There was AOL Instant Messaging (AIM), Xanga, Limewire and more. The Internet seemed like a place of possibility for discoveries; a place of mystery and salvation from my awkwardness. My super cool Gateway did not have Internet as I wasn’t allowed to explore this new world. Another problem was, my mom grounded me every single time she caught me on the Internet. Still, mom couldn’t touch me while at a friend’s. Some of the screen names I created for myself are quite embarrassing. Of course I wanted to create something mature, cool, unique… like puppydoglover38, twinkletoes8960 and I can’t forget hottiehot38 and lilbebephat38. All saying I’m a little girl, trying to be a cool, big girl. There was Xanga, an online journal, which we call a blog today. I spilled the beans about crushes, happenings at school, fights with my parents, talked about my day or whatever else consuming my thoughts in Middle School. Then came MySpace and then eventually Facebook. One cooler than the next and I trying to personify my online coolness with each page design and posting. Gradually, I began to realize I was trying to create and portray a life that I wanted people to see. That life wasn’t authentic. I saw postings from friends and felt envious. There lives seemed fun and carefree. My middle and high school years were not like others my age. I went to dance class six days out of the week. My friends and I hung out in my basement with a frozen pizza, two liter of pop and a rented movie. We sometimes even made videos off my mom’s digital camera, too. There were no high school parties. I was, what us Millennials would say, a square. A square I am and that’s ok. I’m grateful for my squareness because my squareness allowed me to question why. Why do I work so hard to create this online version of Sara that meets the criteria of others? Despite feeling slightly envious, I realized I had bigger fish to fry and better parties to attend. I realized I was not my online life I worked diligently to create. My life is my physical form. Because honestly, who really cares what restaurant I’m eating at, that I’m drinking coffee or how cute I look. Posting is a choice. Being online is choice. The beauty of our relationship with the Internet is a choice, like any other relationship. We can share our worlds and we can keep them private. I personally, love keeping my life private. I love being able to share when I choose and live presently. I also love being able to share my thoughts or experiences when I find them relevant or worth sharing. There’s a power to the Internet and the social media worlds we have accounts with. It’s the way our organization is able to connect and engage with our audiences. The Internet has something for everyone if you go looking for it. While I appreciate the positives of social media use and appreciate how it’s evolved as a tool in social justice, I want to be present in my world and create change here. If you want to get to know me, let’s have a face-to-face conversation. Let’s go out and do stuff!
9 Comments
9/14/2017 12:22:58 pm
This may have been so cool but maybe this coolness things somehow turns to be evil sometimes for the teenagers. Social media has evolved a lot but with new and new things being discovered it is somehow harming the youth too.
Reply
10/24/2017 02:32:14 am
Astonishing web journal and extremely fascinating stuff you arrived. I Definitely took in a considerable measure from perusing some of your earlierpost too and chose to drop a remark on this post a debt of gratitude is in order for sharing this article.
Reply
6/5/2018 05:59:35 am
The alleged web of things has been the discussion of the innovation world throughout recent years buyer gadgets firms are investigating methods for associating all ways of individual and family unit articles to the web along these lines broadening their usefulness.
Reply
7/29/2021 06:06:33 am
It was a very good post indeed. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it in my free time. Will surely come and visit this blog more often. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
Mato Ray
3/31/2022 07:39:40 am
I'm just too happy that everything is in place for me now. I would gladly recommend the use of spell to any one going through marriage problems and want to put an end to it by emailing Dr Emu through emutemple@gmail.com and that was where I got the help to restore my marriage. Whatsapp +2347012841542
Reply
Wilson Fox
6/9/2022 12:32:22 pm
I suffered from what they called peripheral artery disease (PAD). I have been suffering for years, Me and my wife searched for a medical cure, and then we came across a testimony of a man who suffered the same and was cured by Dr Chief Lucky. So my wife and I contacted Dr Chief Lucky via an email and thank God he replied. I explained what was wrong and he sent me herbal medicines that helped heal me completely. I am happy to say that herbal medicine is the ultimate and Dr Chief Lucky I am grateful. You can contact him on his email: chiefdrlucky@gmail.com or whatsapp: +2348132777335, Facebook page: http://facebook.com/chiefdrlucky or website: https://chiefdrlucky.com/. Dr Chief Lucky said that he also specializes in the following diseases: LUPUS, ALS, CANCER, HPV, HERPES, DIABETES, COPD, HEPATITIS B, HIV AIDS, And more.
Reply
I and also my friends ended up following the nice thoughts from the blog and so quickly I got a terrible feeling I never expressed respect to the web site owner for those strategies. The women were certainly warmed to read through them and now have pretty much been making the most of them. Appreciate your turning out to be well thoughtful and also for selecting certain important issues most people are really needing to be aware of. Our own honest regret for not expressing appreciation to earlier. Needed to compose you that very little observation so as to say thanks a lot once again about the pleasing methods you have shown in this case. It was so surprisingly generous with you to offer unhampered precisely what some people would’ve sold as an electronic book to earn some profit on their own, precisely given that you could possibly have done it in case you desired. These techniques as well served like the fantastic way to realize that the rest have the identical zeal really like mine to understand a lot more pertaining to this problem. I am certain there are lots of more enjoyable sessions up front for individuals that scan your blog post. <a href="https://www.totocri.com/sportstoto/">스포츠토토</a>
Reply
I wish more authors of this type of content would take the time you did to research and write so well. I am very impressed with your vision and insight. I have added and shared your site to my social media accounts to send people back to your site because I am sure they will find it extremely helpful too. This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free.
Reply
I definitely enjoying every little bit of it. It is a great website and nice share. I want to thank you. Good job! You guys do a great blog, and have some great contents. Keep up the good work. After looking at a few of the blog articles on your blog, I honestly like your technique of writing a blog. I added it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my web site too and let me know what you think. It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
April 2021
|