[BYC's NOTES: Kate B is a girl that I've known since High School and has wormed her way into what my sister refers to the "blizzard" in my chest.]

Before I begin to carefully deconstruct Michael Byc’s theory on the internet, I would first and foremost like to say that I highly respect Byc’s opinion on, well, life. Byc is intuitive, insightful, and as much as I hate to admit this, right about almost everything. It’s why I love him dearly and trust him, but also why he can sometimes be downright stubborn and a pain in the ass when it comes to reason. That all being said, my love for Byc is no less, but his perspective on technology is one that I think can use some adjustment. Let’s take it step-by-step, shall we?

POINT #1: “The internet has given everyone the tools to become a private investigator.”

This is very true. As a twenty-something female, I have no shame. I do use the internet to “research” more than just academics; I essentially use it as a means to “research” potential love interests. Granted, I do concede with Byc that this is a more feminine technique, and there is rightful cause for concern when it is revealed that a male (and even greater concern when it is someone who projects the image of an “alpha male”) uses this technique as much or even more than a female. Boys who hide behind their keyboards definitely have something to hide.

A personal story: I recently had the opportunity to go on a blind Facebook date. Now, some of you may be wondering what that even means. Let me explain. My understanding of a “blind Facebook date” is a date where you have never met said date in person but have only communicated via Facebook (obviously). After several months of communicating with a male we will simply refer to as “John” via e-mail and Facebook, we had our first face-to-face meeting. Needless to say, we were both excited for this encounter, hoping our e-chemistry would translate into actual chemistry. This, I’m afraid, was wishful thinking on my part. “John” was nowhere near as charming or witty in person as he was electronically. To say he thought the same of me would be fair, except his persistent electronic communication since our meeting has lead me to believe he walked away with a very different interpretation of our in-person interaction. He also let slip the extent of his “research” on me, which went well beyond the realm of the scarce bio provided in my “About Me” section. This, in turn, brings us to Point # 2.

Point #2: Keep your internet presence down to a minimum.

I’m 100% positive that John googled me at some point before our meeting. No, he didn’t explicitly say so, but he did mention something about my high school. My high school is not listed on my Facebook nor can see any pictures that pertain to it. When I asked John how he knew that little tidbit of info, he impressively came up with the rationale that I was from Queens, so it had to be that high school. Not bad, except no one outside of Queens truly recognizes my high school for its academic prestige, but that’s a rant for another day.

Alas, John got me curious about exactly what information was available about me on the internet. Thus, I googled myself. Lo and behold, the top hits are quotes I submitted to my high school newspaper (along with some very unattractive pictures I wish weren’t associated with my name). Mystery solved.

At this point, you’re probably thinking that I have yet to make my argument and all I’ve done so far is agree with Byc’s theory. Patience, dear reader, is a virtue.

While I agree with Byc that you should carefully monitor what is associated with your name in terms of Google searches and the like, I don’t think that necessarily means that your activity should be a “minimum.” After all, technology is the IT tool of our generation. It runs our lives for a reason. It’s how we communicate both professionally and personally. Professionally, the internet provides us both with the opportunity to reach out to employers and for them to find us. This is sort of exposure is invaluable in today’s society that is dependent on electronic outreach. It allows us to extend ourselves beyond our central network of friends to a peripheral one that can include professional contacts as well. Personally, the internet allows us to maintain and nurture friendships that may otherwise be lost. Yes, it would be nice to maintain friendships the old-fashioned way with phone calls and in-person visits, but society’s demand of our time just doesn’t allow. Sometimes the best we really can do is a text saying “hello,” or maybe a quick post on Facebook to check-in.

Point #3: Use the internet sparingly.

I think we already touched on this point, but let’s rehash it just to make sure it’s crystal clear. Don’t listen to Byc when it comes to the internet. Use it for whatever you want to, as long as it doesn’t involve incriminating pictures or comments that could be potentially harmful not just to your reputation and future career, but also to your pride because that is your most valuable asset. As long as you keep that in mind, I say use the internet as you please. Use the internet as a creative outlet. Write your own blog. Use for research, and not just academic research. If you’re ever curious about something, anything  – Google and Wiki it. It’ll take seconds to answer your curiosity and make you a more knowledgeable person. And knowledge is power. So what if it’s useless information like the background of some actor on T.V.? At least you know a little more about pop culture. I personally google whatever strikes my fancy. I’m also a trivia geek, but that’s beside the point.

I’m sure Byc and all of those who share his mentality may argue that I’m too busy googling or texting to appreciate what’s going on around. I most certainly agree that our generation is a little too concerned with documenting life to actually appreciate living it. HOWEVER, while there are undoubtedly “stories to make,” what good is it to make stories if you have no one to tell?

Use the internet to tell your stories. Someone out there cares and will listen, even if you don’t know them. That is perhaps the greatest feature of the internet. It is our responsibility to embrace it.

Kate B.

How To Sex Up A Girl

Assuming The Sale: She Looks For Reason Not To Date Her

Dating Questions, Answered

Online Dating Sites: Pick Your Poison

Online Dating Sites: Pick Your Poison, Part 2

What Do You Say to a Girl?

Girl’s Behaviour Repels High Value Men

You’re A Dating Player: Shit Test or Genuine Fear?

Twenty Tips To Find Your Soulmate

Facebook Dating Game

Feminist? Take The Feminine Out, What’s Left?

Uncouth Vs Pretentious

Recovering From Relationship Mistakes

Club Dating Game

When Did The Counter-Culture Die?

How To Get Your Ex Back

Assuming The Sale: She Looks For Reason Not To Date Her

She Know’s About Dating Game, So What?

Preventing Her Hypergaming Ways

The Secret to Getting the Date (Not Just the Number)

Why The World Needs Superman

Having Trouble Getting Through To Her? Carlito Brigante Her.

Know What You Want

Reality Check: Rape Culture Doesn’t Exist