Derek Tacconelli Blog

I just got back from reading Vee’s blog for a bit and forgot how much I used to blog (about real life) before Facebook. It seems as though I have become plastic to the world out there and I realize my sound has become very static as I’ve transformed. I had a Xanga page from 2003 – 2009 (back in the days of Live Journal — the days of early weblogs) and would write EVERYTHING, totally transparent; isn’t that was social media is all about? Since Facebook, it’s like a facade has been put up — I’ve also grown and matured, so many of my day to day occurrences have become less apparent to the outside world. But, back to Facebook; People are so worried about privacy and big brother, which they should be, this is good — the internet has changed in many ways. Google+ seems to bring to the field of social media a sense of control and editability (new word!), and most importantly, privacy of information. This seems paradoxical because Google has control over a lot of information, some would call it a monopoly. Perhaps Facebook and Google have created a dynamic where people are realizing the real power of information that the internet contains; it has really transformed right before our eyes.

This is perhaps why I have embraced social media and am holding on for the ride. I hope to have a positive influence on as many people as I can, but also have an impact on the people that really matter to me. Lately, I have shifted to strengthening the bonds I have with people, rather than meeting as many people as I can. In my days of university I was on a meet and greet frenzy. Parties, classes, and living arrangements all made this possible. But outside of the realm of the college lifestyle, I have come to realize that the saying from Chris Mathews,

“It is not who you know, it is who you get to know,”

really rings true to me now that I have had the time to let that quote marinate. Yet, the last few weeks I have struggled to maintain my relationships. It feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to be social between heavy work schedules and sleep. I have, more often than not, resorted to social media to wet my social appetite. I know it is not the same as real human contact, but it makes it easier to keep up with my friends and their activities. I have been thinking about the notion that social media has the ability to suck you in and alienate you from the rest of the world by showing you what you are missing out on. I raised this question to my friends via Facebook, and they seem to disagree. It is my guess that people who believe in this theory (I found out about it somewhere on Twitter) are the very ones who get sucked in and loath in their own self-alienation. I think that it is what you make of it, and if you believe in it then you are more prone to living it.

Anyways, I wanted to just take the time to get my thoughts out in words because I really haven’t made a meaningful, down-to-earth, from my heart and brain post in a long time. It’s very therapeutic to get my message out there for others to follow, even if you don’t really know me. The last two and a half months have been very hectic for me, and it has showed in the lack of posts here. I really miss seeing my friends in flesh and bones.

Now it’s time to go off and do something productive before I socialize for real. Party time!