Do you need social networking????

Hmmmm..... thats a good food for thought. Come to think of it, this is kind of a silly question with almost the entire world hooked on to Facbook, Orkut, Linkedin, etc. Almost everyone I know of has a Facebook and an Orkut account. Well it used to just an Orkut account but now I think Facbook is the more “in” thing.

I still remember the first time after I created an Orkut account, Soumya n me were trying to figure out how to “scrap”. On my first attempt I ended up “scrapping” myself J Having said that, obviously, I too have my Facebook and Orkut account. For me its like - Facebook is the new happening thing; while Orkut is home turf !

Coming back to the question ... what made me think about the whole need of social networking is the incident that happened to me last Friday

I wanted to go to Virginia from West Chester; West Chester to Fairfax is about 3 hour drive. There are few people in my project that live in and around Virginia, so people suggested that I go back with one of them instead of taking a train or a bus.

I was hesitant cause I didnt know the people who I had to ask a lift. So Sudha (my friend) went ahead and asked one of them. All I knew about the person was his name is "Ashok". We started at around 7 in the evening to Virginia. He said he lives around 10 miles or so from my home. So me being the non stop nonsense that I am started talking J.

Initially our topics were all about the project. Somehow we then started talking about all the networking site. He said he was not into all this and that someday he wants to start a Facebook account. I was like - "Oh you should... Its the best way to meet some of your old friends". Some how our conversation finally came Masters and causally asked him which college he did his MS from. Well all I can say is I am glad I did ask that; cause he turned out to one year senior to Rajesh!!!!! The icing on cake was that they used to hang out together J

He said he lost touch with most of his college friends and that he was thinking about all that when we were talking about all the sites!!!! I didnt tell Rajesh all this over the phone , cause Ashok wanted to suprise Rajesh! I could see the excitement on his face; all the while he was a little skeptical that Rajesh wouldn't recognize him. But when they finally met face to face both of them were so excited that they forgot all about me J

So I guess you do need networking sites to get in touch with your friends. Well you often meet people how know you through your brother / sister/ jeju.......but chances to meet your old friends in this way is one in a million.