Monthly Archives: January 2009

Writing = Therapy

There is something to be said for the value of clearing your head by flushing everything out on paper.

A kind of therapy really. Once they exit your brain and onto a page, its as though you aren’t the only one experiencing them anymore. You have shared your innermost personal thoughts with the paper. So what if it is just a page? At least your words are out there.

Something about not being alone in your thoughts is comforting. I always like to know when other people feel the same as I, and its not “just me”.

The new Real World Brooklyn has a cast member, Ryan, who fought in the war in Iraq. In order to cope with his experiences, he has written a book. His writing has allowed him to positively manage all of the traumatizing things he has witnessed. I know Ryan won’t be burdened with post-traumatic stress disorder, because he is dealing with his emotions positively, by getting them out and sharing them with the world.

Writing is therapeudic, and I suggest everyone should keep a journal to help organize their thoughts. Sometimes I use my pen and paper just to vent if I am angry about something.  It can definitely help manage your emotions. Now I promise I won’t use this blog to vent because I don’t want to bore everyone. On a related note, I think my blog needs a stronger sense of direction- any thoughts? What do people want to read about?

The Facebook Epidemic

Yes, thats right epidemic.

What is the Facebook Epidemic you say?

It started off as a friendly social networking tool amongst college students. A great way to keep in touch, network, and see how many friends you have in common. Since the early days of Facebook in mid-2004, Facebook has taken over every man, woman, child and pet. The largest concern for most of us, is adults, particularly parents and bosses.

Facebook has spread. Yes, it is a disease. It has caught us all by surprise and taken us all by storm. And now, it has lost all control.

In recent Facebook news, my mom has joined. I find her tagging, commenting and uploading photos. Where does the Facebook line get drawn? What will Facebook become? The future isn’t in our hands, its in the hands of FACEBOOK.

This isn’t unlike the rest of the internet. Now that I have a job at a website, I truly understand how manipulative the internet can be.
You do realize that the ads that appear when you are on gmail or Facebook are catered to your click trends. Third party ad servers like DART, Atlas or Ominture monitor your visits, time spent, where you go once you exit the site, etc… These third party servers allow advertisers to strategically place their ads to a targeted audience, thereby generating greater interest in their product! This is why internet advertising is so successful.

Successful, but also scary. Scary because currently Google, Facebook, and all other internet website have started to ancipate my needs. They are in my head! They know what I want before I even know what I want!

On Facebook right now I see ads for media companies, Birthright Israel programs, and teeth whitening products. Facebook KNOWS that I am in media, going to Israel, and superficial! This is not okay!

Eventually, I will never have to think for myself. I will just go on the internet and the internet will tell me what I need and what I want. Welcome to the future… we are all slaves to internet advertising.