US Weekly For The Common Folks...

Hi, my name is Kourtenay, and I am a magazine junkie. I love my fix of US Weekly, OK, Shape, Glamour, Cosmo, and that's just to name a few. I know I'm not the only one to fork over the $10.00 a week to support the gossip habit. Board any plane, and you will see 1/3 of the passengers reading magazines they just picked up from the travel store. It's definitely a guilty pleasure, but I am starting to think that people, including myself, have become almost "obsessed" with the lives of others. We look at celebrities, and mimic their clothing, their hair, and ultimate lifestyle.

So where is the line that separates reality from a fantasy life? Thankfully we don't have a photographer documenting our lives, we don't need one, we are the photographer. I've got three words for you, Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter. Facebook has the motto: "Facebook helps you connect and share with the people in your life." They are absolutely right. We join these free websites with the hope of re-connecting with others. I think our initial intentions are pure. With the ease of the search box at the top of the page, you can instantly find former classmates, work friends or even those you met while on vacation. Whoever said networking was a bad thing?

But sometimes it’s the curiosity that can be overpowering. In many incidences the three powerhouses, contribute to our own version of gossip magazines; almost like an US Weekly for the Common Folks. (This is also known as Facebook Stalking). Don’t act like you don’t do it, because everyone does it. Sometimes we can’t help but ‘wonder’ how old boyfriends, friends, or former classmates are doing. We have instant access to their photo albums, read their latest postings, and instantly become updated on their lives – without them even knowing. It’s kind of creepy when you think about it, but it’s something that we all expose ourselves to, if we choose to be a part of these websites.

This free entertainment doesn’t come without a price. You cringe when checking your phone because it blinks ten new text messages and seven missed calls, one being from your mother. You remember that load of laundry and trip to the grocery store that needed to be done today - will now have to wait until tomorrow because you just spent the last three hours on Facebook. So when is it time to log off and live life? (Probably never, because most have these sites installed as applications on their cell phones) Unfortunately, some aren’t willing to go a day, much less six hours without checking their Facebook or Tweeting, but to be honest, I think it’s necessary to try and limit yourself to the amount of time spent on the computer. There aren't enough Facebook posts, or Tweets for that matter, to equal a real face to face conversation, with a friend that needs you to listen or be there for them. Spending time with someone is part of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory. We need to interact with people, and engage in real conversations. It's human nature.

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