Take Your Pictures Down and Shake It Out

Ok, here goes...

It's probably a combination of reading through The World is Flat along with conversations that I have had with my parents, but the question on my mind over the past few days is this:

What is it about my generation that makes us turn websites like Facebook and MySpace into phenomenons and services like the blog you are reading right now one of the fastest growing modes of communication?

I think part of the answer is that we use these new modes of communication simply because they are available. I know that members of my grandparents' and parents' generations may have a hard time understanding why anyone would want to set up a personal profile on Facebook or to write on a blog, and maybe that is because they did not have those opportunities when they were my age. I'm sure that I will not understand some of the things that my kids will one day view as natural parts of the experience that is growing up.

Another portion of the answer is something that my Mom pointed out this morning. When members of my great-grandparents' generation moved away from home, they usually only communicated with their family through letters or the extremely rare phone call. When members of my grandparents' generation moved away from home, phone calls were becoming more frequent, but they simply cost too much to make them everyday. My parents' generation could make phone calls on a daily basis but there was still a large disparity between the cost of a local call and a long distance call. Now, my generation doesn't think anything of making phone calls on a daily basis (perhaps some parents who have paid for overage charges wish they thought more about it).

Here's the bottom line: My generation has grown up with almost no barriers to communicating with the world. Whether it be cell phones, blogs, or instant messaging, we are always in touch.

Well, those are just some thoughts on the subject, but in another one of the best aspects of the new technology, I get to hear what you think.

Here are some questions:

• Why do you read blogs?
• Why are you reading this blog?
• Do you have a blog?
• Do you use Facebook or MySpace?
• Why do you use Facebook or MySpace?

I look forward to reading your responses. Thanks for reading.