jefferme

By now, you're all aware of what happened between 20 year-old singer Rihanna and 19 year-old rap artist Chris Brown.  If you aren't sure as to what happened, I'll tell you; He Beat Her Down.  Pictures of the mess are all over the internet.  TMZ came out with it first, but no news or entertainment source has left this topic untouched. 

Part of me really appreciates that we are a country so close to our celebrities.  We know what they like to eat, who their friends are, and where they hang out.  The common unfamous person cares, somewhat, for any celebrity.  We know more about our famous people than the people we sit across from at the dinner table, in the classroom, or even the people we share a cubicle with. 

These celebrities may not want the public to know the details of their lives, but it seems to me that as regualar people we should carry some level of interest about one another. That being said, I am curious to know if celebrities follow the lives of other celebrities or do they take an interest in anyone at all?

Obviously, the media played a huge part in making sure that everyone knew almost immediately about this fued.  Major networks used their own popularity to spread the word about the violent acts that occurred.  Major media players make it difficult for any individual to avoid hearing about situations like this one.  If the public weren't so used to being bombarded by this type of news, we might find it annoying.  Instead, it's seen as entertainment, or as social awareness campaign against beat downs everywhere. 

Here's What Oprah Had to Say about the Chris Brown/Rihanna Beat Down.

have you ever been in a room with someone using their cell phone to communicate with another person in that same room?  have you been that mobile user wanting to share a joke with a friend sitting two seats down?  this happened to me at the library tonight.  i was not amused

the library was busy with people printing homework, studying in groups, reading online, and checking facebook.  it was not the quiet floor, and it was not in the least library-like.  more hustle and bustle than the librarians would prefer. 

as i sat down to 'quickly' print a few power point presentation for another class i'm taking, my phone jingled.  it was this kid i met a few days ago and couldn't believe he had sent me a text.  i had just said hello to him minutes before.  instead of replying to the text, i smiled and waved.  he walked over and we made plans to meet up later.  my thumbs thanked me afterward.

the idea of being "connected" has changed.  we can have a connection with someone, and i think that is what most people still crave.  people genuinely enjoy other people.  maybe this is why social networking sites were created - as a means of channeling that want.  a way to not be alone at 4 in the morning.  but doesn't that cross the border into stalkerville?  by being alone don't we make sure to appreciate the time we're together.  everyone says that we need the winter to fully appreciate the summer.  perhaps if we were alone more often, we would be fully present when we're together; instead of being distracted by a text message.

Are we quickly and quietly becoming a society that taps a keyboard instead of lending a smile and an ear?

I love my facebook account.  I did it right - avoided MySpace, went for Facebook and am now considering creating a LinkedIn profile.  People are still so skeptical about people really being who their profile says they are.  Are you really that attractive?  Do you really make that much money?  Are you super creepy?

So let's say you create a profile that expresses how you want to be seen.  Does that mesh with who you really are?  Does the internet version of you take over and the real you disappears?  How do we separate ourselves from our internet personalities? 

My biggest concern about this blogging business was brought up in class.  Someone said that they like blogging as a means of finding out what is going on in people's lives.  This is alright, I suppose, unless you happen to enjoy sitting down for a cup of coffee, or a good old fashioned phone call.  

Within months of creating my Facebook account, I noticed that I had stopped calling friends that I was very close with and simply checking out their Facebook profile.  They had also stopped calling me, and merely looking at my photos.   Is this the appropriate way to socially network?  How do we really know someone is a true friend?  Does it depend on how many bumper stickers they've sent you this week?  Or do they have to send you a private message as well?

Perhaps it's a time issue.  We are finding ourselves too busy to physically meet one another, so we opt for the internet.  Still, I do not think that is a valid excuse.  Please, Please, get dressed, brush your teeth and come down to la verna for a cup of joe.