That Clunky Magic Box
My mother owned a desktop computer which sat in the far right corner of my living room. I remember my desire to touch it, being magnetized by that clunky magic box that my mom would pitter patter away on for hours. I remember the constant *ping* of her notifications as she would chat with all of her friends through AIM. My physical lack of access to the actual machine fueled my curiosity, and I was excited to have a chance to one day use that clunky magic box on my own.
My chance would be given to me within the strict confines of the classroom. The computer was used as a tool for learning; these were not particularly meaningful interactions for me, but I learned to navigate the internet and use its various functions comfortably as I geared towards getting a chance to use the computer recreationally.
My favorite online social media platform was called Club Penguin. It was a very popular site that gained a lot of traction and charged for membership, making it a successful business as well. I remember having a "boyfriend", named Hoisier21, who I would chat with constantly. One day, he told me to take off my penguin's clothes, and stand next to his penguin and hit the "dance" button, and that he would do the same. Even through the safe cushion of a screen and keyboard I knew that the request was odd. I declined, so he told me he didn't love me anymore and that it was over between us. This was his segue into our virtual breakup, where he blocked me afterwards. Heartbroken, I remember feeling discouraged about social media, because that interaction was so negative that I was traumatized at the idea of ever making a friend that close online again.
The impersonality of being online was something that was new to my generation, and definitely was a theme that would continue to be developed and toyed with as social media progressed into its later stages. Because of this impersonality, I see social media in the future becoming more of a literal representation of ourselves. I see our devices moving towards monitoring us and posting our daily actions on their own.
Social media has come a long way since the capacity of the clunky magic box. Not only have we been able to develop new devices and software capable of supporting new ways of interacting with one another, It is now less about who we are, and more about showcasing who we want to be, (or rather who we want others to perceive us). There certainly is a responsibility to using social media that includes, but is not limited to, filtering ourselves and being mindful of others and their own privacy on the internet. Social media can be described as intrusive, especially when we consider the fact that people can post things about you on their platforms without your consent or even knowledge sometimes. That's why it's important to be mindful.
My chance would be given to me within the strict confines of the classroom. The computer was used as a tool for learning; these were not particularly meaningful interactions for me, but I learned to navigate the internet and use its various functions comfortably as I geared towards getting a chance to use the computer recreationally.
The impersonality of being online was something that was new to my generation, and definitely was a theme that would continue to be developed and toyed with as social media progressed into its later stages. Because of this impersonality, I see social media in the future becoming more of a literal representation of ourselves. I see our devices moving towards monitoring us and posting our daily actions on their own.
Social media has come a long way since the capacity of the clunky magic box. Not only have we been able to develop new devices and software capable of supporting new ways of interacting with one another, It is now less about who we are, and more about showcasing who we want to be, (or rather who we want others to perceive us). There certainly is a responsibility to using social media that includes, but is not limited to, filtering ourselves and being mindful of others and their own privacy on the internet. Social media can be described as intrusive, especially when we consider the fact that people can post things about you on their platforms without your consent or even knowledge sometimes. That's why it's important to be mindful.
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