Socializin in the virtual world???

Strangersssss!!! Im not interested....

Do not add me if you dont know me!!!

No unsolicited friaaaaaaaandship requests!!! Get a life!!!

These are some of the very lines that propel every dame to a celebrity status on most social networking hubs in the virtual world. I sound gender-biased because I chose to be, since I haven't seen a single man with such lines on his profile. Blame it on my limited perception!!! The theories surrounding the motives behind such glorified profiles are nevertheless interesting. While democracy certainly grants everyone the right to their opinion, there have always been some "not so trivial" questions about the very purpose of social networks - apparently - to socialize. These questions have of course been scotched by the "I am here to keep in touch with friends" or the "I am not interested in making new friends" addendum usually found alongside.

Now, my motive certainly is not to disprove/endorse any of the theories around, primarily because I am not sure if I am qualified enough to do that. Secondly the pure subjective nature of the issue puts it beyond the purview of any one individual's opinion.

To a certain extent, I am convinced that people have moderately sound reasons to be discrete on public forums. After all, the world aint all that big a place these days aye??? It hasnt been long since we came across a seemingly beautiful love story that bloomed on one of these extremely popular social networks - one that culminated in the girl's body being found in a pool of blood in an Andheri hotel room. And I am sure, every third person will have some account or the other of the troubles their friends/distant cousins/neighbors ran into, owing to "uninhibited" social networking. No doubt, the virtual world is certainly infested with a lot of the so called "creeps" or "jerks". ( Just a few tags I have heard of. Im sure there are loads more!!! )

The question is, are we close to the point where we can blindly conclude that every person who doesnt know you and still makes an effort to connect with you in some way or the other is a branded "creep" ? Do we start assuming that every guy who ever throws a bone at a gal is trying "desperately" to get into her pants? Or is it to do with the gift of the gab??? Every unfortunate soul who cant speak the twisted wannabe language of the internet may be categorized as a creep - that sounds a safer bet. If these hold good, it certainly doesn't say much about our most liberal ideals. I was under the impression that we try and do away with most of our prejudices as we grow older, as we grow saner. Seemingly, we still are selective about sticking onto a few of them ... I am reminded of Voltaire as I tell myself "Prejudices are what fools use for reason... "

No doubt, it certainly is a personal choice whether or not you wanna entertain unsolicited intrusions into your privacy. However I for one, believe, it doesnt take much to be nice to the ones around and most importantly do not let "prejudice" influence your decisions, because it cannot see the things that are, as it is always looking for things that aren't.

Trust me I aint this dejected soul looking for an avenue to vent out my frustrations at being said a no to one of my "friaaaaaaandship requests". I for one, have been unusually successful at socializing in the virtual world. And I am sure, people who know me would certainly vouch for this. I have made some fantastic friends in the virtual world over the years. The broader point being - it certainly doesnt take much to weigh out your decisions before branding anyone a "creep" - for you never know what it costs the person at the receiving end. At the same time, I fully understand, it is not possible to draw a distinct line or assign some kinda certificate of sanctity to users on public networks to boost their credentials.

Do we have an answer when it comes to civilizing the virtual world???