As most of you know, I've had a disposition with Social Networks for roughly three years. In the past, I have quit Myspace twice and have accused Social Networks for the advancement of social retardation, shallow friendships and a whole heck of a lot of incriminating photos. You can honestly know everything about everyone at all times and ironically, nobody really cares about this and actually, in turn, wholeheartedly accepts it.

Well, despite these things, I have decided to run a few experiments. I am going to try and create more of business like image of myself on Facebook, and if that works, eventually MySpace (though low priority). In all reality it can't be too bad of an idea. Eventually everyone my age will be in the work force and yet, still on these networks. I'd only assume for a lot of my "era", Facebook will be a fairly tangible harbor of potential business. All the needed information is there. You can basically make your facebook page a portfolio containing information such as where you went to school, where you worked, what your skill set is, examples of your work and a list of references. Mix that in with a little interaction and you could probably find yourself with a couple new business partners and a handful of clients. Unfortunately, however, if you were a little wild in your college years, you may have to do a little cleanup in order to look presentable.

Lets think about it a little more. Microsoft paid $240 million in order to get a simple 1.6 percent stake in the $15 billion dollar company, Facebook. Don't tell me Social Networks are useless if Microsoft is dropping the top dollar for a little bite. There must be some form of money in there and doggonit, I wanna find it.

So take it as it is. I'm going to try for a more "professional" venture and see who I can meet from there.

'Myspace is free so if you can't tolerate the advertising
leave.' TRUTH: If you believe this you have no backbone! You are like a
piece of rubber in the water. You are like a wave tossed in the sea. Don't be
a loser and run away from indecency! - Jesse Connors

Genesis 39
6a Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,
7 and after a while his master's wife took notice
of Joseph and said, "Come to bed with me!" 10 And
though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her
or even be with her.

11 One day he went into the house to
attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside.
12 She caught him by his cloak and said, "Come
to bed with me!" But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the
house.

[Tom Change The Advertising] *does not* indorse the use of ad
blocking software or browsers. Why? Well, advertisers pay big money to sites
like MySpace to reach their users. If everyone blocks the ads, advertisers
will stop paying that big money and sites like MySpace (which cost big money
to run) will have to charge users or simply shut down.

"I bought a Limited Edition Red Ipod Nano AND $10.00 went to help save Aids victims!"

Is it just me, or does anyone else find that really messed up? I've been getting really sick of seeing charitable acts through corporations. Hear me out on this one. I believe charities are great and I am seriously looking into giving more of my time and money to such things. There is nothing better than helping another person out. However, I don't think we should have to buy products to donate to struggling people. Nor do I think we should buy a product specifically because they are supporting a cause.

Let's do the math here. Say you bought the Limited Edition Red Ipod Nano supporting a cure for AIDS (I hold nothing against those that own this because they wanted an ipod), attended a "Rock for Darfur" concert and bought pink m&m's and oreos for the cure to  Breast Cancer (which ironically, is on the no-no list of a good anti-cancer diet.) Though one site suggested that "Rock for Darfur" donates $1 for every $27-$37 ticket sold, I can't find any hard evidence. We'll give them the benefit of the doubt and give them $8 donation towards Darfur relief. With that added up, I hope you feel good donating $21.00 out of the $241.00 you spent on entertainment. That is about 90% spent on yourself. Is it necessary to be entertained before giving to others who really need it? I'm sorry, but it sounds like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Again, I am very much for charity! But I would have a hard time "rocking out" and enjoying myself at a concert with the reminder that the people "I'm supporting" don't even have a home to sleep in anymore. What happened to just giving out of your own good will? Since when do we need something out of it?

On the corporate / business side, I am honestly excited when I hear a company donates a majority of their product's sale to a cause. It's awesome when they donate ALL proceeds and stuff. None of this half-ass $10 out of $200 for an ipod stuff. Then it seems promotional. Like they are sending their customers a vibe of satisfaction if they buy a special version of a product that symbolizes their generosity. In my perspective, I have a feeling that Apple is benefiting more from their Red Ipod than what the AIDS research organization they are donating to is.

Really, this blog is more on a personal level, however. Bottom line is, we need to be less selfish. We don't need anything in return for donating. It's not authentic giving if you are expecting something out of the deal. It's easier than ever to wire money to an organization without the help of Frito-Lay or Energizer Batteries. This is all a reminder to myself, too. I need to donate more, time and money. I'm actually glad I'm a little pizzed. There is importance to charity.

If you think I'm off my rocker, I'd like to hear from you. nick@nickdavis.org

You are so dead to me. wtf. Like, I don't even need to delete my account again to prove a point (which was awesome on my part). I can't go more than two profiles away without running into a scene kid with Panic! at the disco playing on their page. Also, Myspace is like the new geocities, if you think about it. Crappy animated gifs all over, annoying text, stupid phrases and a conglomorant of sub-par movie quotes.

Check this Blonde Joke out! OMG!

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