Preaching about how social networking has entirely altered our social conceptions and norms would make of me a hypocrite. As much as I'd like to believe that I have a hatred for Facebook, there is no validity in exclaiming it because I am as much a victim of it's notions as everyone else. It occurred to me last night, in a moment of deep exam procrastination, that it is so utterly bizarre to make judgements or assumptions based on a social media portrayal of another person. My Facebook profile, as much as it holds a collection of photo's of myself dating back to the ripe age of 16, is merely a tweaked and revised version of 'myself' and by no means an accurate portrayal. And this scares me. Because we have become so utterly reliant on viewing someone's Facebook profile and manifesting a warped sense of comfort, believing that we are up to date and clued up on how that person is currently doing. We are well aware that this is not the case for our OWN profiles, yet we continue to fall privy to this false sense of knowing. And I ask myself, when being fully aware of this, why do I still continue to do so? And it's exactly that. . with the immense advancement of technology (to the point where computers and gadgets are smarter than I am), we have developed, although perhaps warped, feelings of comfort. Regardless of where we are in the world, we are able to scan through a couple of recent photo's of our loved ones, and all of a sudden they don't feel so far away. I am by no means an advocate for social media. Given the choice, I would go back to a generation where technology was not smarter than human-beings. I wonder if that makes me smart, or downright stupid? Nevertheless, I am no position to preach the 'evils' of our time, as I to am an active user (and abuser?) of its' facets, simply by writing this very pointless paragraph and publishing it online where it is no longer my property. We can't fight the system. Or can we?
Now that my vent is over. I am hours away from writing my first European Exam in Social Development. Which could perhaps explain the above rendition and why I am recently more inclined to question and ponder about the socialization of human-beings. (To the point where you are blue in the face by trying to establish if NATURE or NURTURE is more at play in the fascinating processes involved in developing into cognitively-inclined social creatures).
Recently I have revamped my container to add a homely feel. I watched Ajax vs Vollendam live at the Amsterdam Arena. I swing-danced at Pacific. I created an Amsterdam Bucket List and I did MORE bargain shopping. Have a look:
I'm conflicted as to whether or not 'time is flying' or if I infact feel like I've been here longer than I already have. Nevertheless, it's my 6th weekend in this crazy city. And the clock is ticking. . .
These are the treats I am blessed enough to witness in action in the upcoming months. Excitement beyond explanation:
The Cat Empire:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPj1Hf6kfyI
The Tallest Man on Earth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvWstzEUTfU
And last but not least, thanks to my best friend, Dean Bellingan, THE LOCAL NATIVES.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUc7LPRzJc0
Enjoy. . .
And on an end note, The lovely Marijke Tymbios (a beautiful person, kindest soul and former Amsterdam Exchangee) posted me a letter and it had me grinning from ear to ear. There is something in-explainable about reading a hand-written letter that was sent all the way from a different continent. It would be worth your while to have a look at her blog. [
http://www.myblagh.blogspot.com/] She has the most INCREDIBLE taste in music I've come across, is an excellent writer and brilliant photographer. And admittedly, one of my inspirations to start this blog.
Totsiens.
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