High School Days

A beautiful morning and it’s almost time for me see how warm the pool is with an early morning swim. It was up to 85 yesterday and the water was crystal clear. In the past, I think I have been too hesitant about the amount of chemicals to add to the water and that only allows the algae to get a head start. Resolved; I will add whatever it takes. ($$$) Now I need to find the best place to buy those algaecides and clarifiers, etc, as the price for most of these is quite high…but even worse if you buy them while shopping at the supermarket. The old joke about a swimming pool being a large hole in the ground where you throw money is no joke. But first, more coffee…

I was listening to Talk of the Nation on PBS yesterday and the program focused on Web 2.0 and Social Networks. Pretty interesting stuff. There was all of the usual conversation about MySpace, Facebook, Eons, and even Twitter. But a different type of social networking was also discussed; philanthropy. Kiva.org was mentioned and I went to their website after we got home. Great site! I think I will add it to my StumbleUpon list of favorites. Yes, StumbleUpon is a social network as well, along with YouTube and Flickr.

And speaking of MySpace and Facebook…apparently those sites have become polarized by the popular teenage culture. An article I read said that Facebook was now the ‘desired’ site to be involved in. MySpace was for ‘retards’ and ‘dweebs.” It only makes sense that this would happen. It’s all part of teenage life; or life before reality…

Do you remember? Being in high school and finding that the lunch hour was probably the most traumatic hour of the day. You couldn’t just sit and eat…you had to be aware of who you were with. Very aware! The social implications and fallout from making the wrong choices during this hour were unbelievably cruel. Yes, I’ve been scarred for life because I was once seen talking to a social outcast and suffered the consequences.

Also interesting; a caller to the Talk of the Nation show mentioned that musical groups have found it to be mandatory for them to have a Web 2.0 presence. They have to be able to show prospective clients just what they can do, not just talk about their act. And at the same time they can entertain their fan base with videos and interviews, etc. Another caller noted that she auditions dance groups via their websites. Apparently, lots of employers are using these sites to research the facts about prospective employees; sometimes obtaining information from the former co-workers of that applicant. All done quickly over the internet. And anonymously. Scary!