I am well aware that most of you already know and have experienced the power of a good network, and although this is not the object of my article today, I needed to say that: I just recently did too! I often come to wonder what is behind the concept. These past few years, we have seen the face of Internet change considerably with the explosion of “Virtual” Social Networks, like “MySpace”, “Facebook”… I have heard many things about them, but mostly inconvenient… maybe not the right word, let’s call it “a huge downside that overpowers everything else”.

• The downside to “virtual” networking:

Internet Social Networks (ISN) are crowded with sexual predators… hmm! It is probably right, but so is the real world! Virtual Networks are nothing but a reflection of our Society. Why kind of control do people have in the real world that they do not have in a “virtual” society… the only thing I can think of is that it is very easy to lie about who one really is in a virtual world, that would be the danger. Common sense tells one to trust others even more seldom in a virtual platform… that would be what parents should teach their children very early, it’s actually their job to protect them and that is one way. Not that easy? Well, nobody said it was easy to be a parent!
Okay, let us leave that aspect aside as it is another debate. ISN bring people in a more isolated settlement even though one could have hundreds of “friends” from all over the world. Networking through Internet is keeping people more apart than ever. It is like my husband says: “what is wrong with just picking up the phone?” Obviously nothing is wrong with that, however would it make any difference if Internet had never become what it is today? Would people stay in touch with one another the way they used to? I would not be so sure.

“Virtual” Social Networks are but a tool for people to communicate beyond frontiers. It is a tool to keep in touch, to spread information…  The dangers of it, or rather the danger, is to forget what it really is: just a tool!

• The upside to “virtual” networking:

As a tool, it is user friendly and people tend to choose it over phoning or writing letters because it is cheap, even free (if one does not consider the cost of an Internet connection). In the actual economical situation the world finds itself, nothing is better than saving money any way one can (even though it is but an illusion). No matter… that kind of networking works really good with patience and luck. I do believe that luck is a big factor. Of course, it depends on the reason one is actually networking. Getting a musical band better known, or a book, or anything that needs people to exist, then “virtual” social networks are a blast! One just needs one person whose network (amount of connection) is larger than ones; a person that likes ones art/product and communicates about it, for one to finally get the attention needed/deserved. It is not necessarily to sell that one needs such attention, not at first… it is to get the sense of purpose in what one is doing. Then the business part kicks in and it is an entire other story (which I am not interested in for this piece).

Humanly speaking, why does one want to leave a mark such as art? why one wishes to be noticed? After all, we are all going to die at some point, so why? why does one think that future generations ought to know one were here? Is it pride? what is it?
Again, this is another debate, but what I wrote above just made me think of these questions some of you could even ask: why are you writing? why do you need to have a blog? why do you think people care about what you think? I would say, just because ! (even though it is no answer).

Anyway, back to “Virtual” Social Networks… As long as one does not forget what they are: just a tool, one is safe. Common sense is the best way to keep ones head cool and keep ones feet on the ground. Responsibility is also an important notion: for parents, users, and networks owners… Just do not forget that “Virtual” Social Networks are nothing more than a copy of the world we live in, but they are not life. Whatever bad happens because of a virtual interaction, people do the deeds not the tool! When good things happen, it is still people who make them happen, not the tool! But when there is bad then it is the tools fault… when there is good, one praises the tool…
Finally, I need to add, risking repeating myself: having friends is good; to meet them, chat with them, have fun with them, interact for real with them, is what counts and makes life wonderful. “Virtual” is a tool, nothing more. PEOPLE are what matters!

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