MySpace mayhem 'Friendly' forum lacks real friends

by Robert Box, staff writer

Now, I know that I’m probably not going to make any friends with this article, but I didn’t send any requests out anyway. 

Let’s face it though, it’s time someone said it…Myspace is evil.  O.K., maybe that’s going a bit far, but it’s still not as cool as everyone says it is.  It’s addicting, yes, but cool?  No. 

When it comes down to it, in three years we’ll all laugh at each other for getting so caught up in it.  It’s just like instant messaging on AOL was a few years ago, except instead of “Oh look, I’ve got mail,” it’s “Oh look, I got a comment from my best friend who I see face to face everyday.”

The main problem with Myspace is that people will write comments to each other like they’re talking to each other face to face and there’s no one else around to listen, even though every one that goes to the page can read it.  When you talk to your friend at school or anywhere, there might be one or two other people who hear you, and they probably don’t care what you’re saying.  When you comment on Myspace, everyone in the world can read it. 

Now, I know that not everyone is that naive to put something on there that will get him or her in trouble later, but it’s surprising how many do. 

It also makes it too easy to find someone.  If I know your name and your approximate age, I can find you.  I don’t know about you, but when you have a couple of crazy ex-girlfriend stalkers, you don’t want people to find you. I don’t have any stalkers, because I’d have to get a girlfriend first.  But I have a lot of friends who do.

It also devalues a friend.  I hate to say this, but just because they may be a friend on your Myspace, doesn’t mean that they are your friend in real life.  I know that some people will only accept requests from people who they know, but some people just want to see how many they can get.  I heard on the radio about a guy who had 50,000 friends.  I don’t even know 50,000 people. I’m sure that’s the extreme of the spectrum, but it helps prove my point. 

If you’re just starting your own Myspace, STOP NOW WHILE YOU STILL CAN.  You will get addicted to it, and there is no 12-step program...yet.  If you’ve already started, maybe it’s not too late for you and your life won’t turn into “I’ve got to get home to check my comments.”