Almost fell for "The Hype"

So everyone has been harassing me about why I'm not a member of common online social networks such as Facebook, My Space,
or any other college or post college website.
I always thought they were silly and overrated. I prided myself in not believing
"The Hype"
of generation X and Y digital networking services. When friends would ask for my Hi-5, Facebook, or My Space name,
my reply was "don't have one."
I inevitably would receive the look of puzzlement and bewilderment.
How could I not want to involve myself with "poking"potential "friends"and people around me?
(Poking..is a phrase that I learned the meaning of after my roommate yelled at me for poking someone of the same sex.)
You're just being difficult they would say. They thought that I must not be aware that I may be the only person that was not an affiliate of this hot new online organization.
Friends would try to solicit me to their fav site to allow me to see what they believed so much in. Fellow friends that I like to call "the believers" would explain how great it was to reconnect with people you hadn't seen since high school.
(Here's one to mull over... if they were really a friend why am I not in touch today?
Is the fun just getting an update, then losing touch, and starting the whole process all over again? What about when I lose touch after I get married,have kids, or become fabulous.
Let's face it, if I'm not in touch then there is a reason.)
Also "the believers" would express the great way to network with people in my city. Are we talking business network or personal relationship??? Because to me this sounds like a plea for a friend of the opposite sex.
If I was trying to make a business contact, I would not want him/her viewing photos of my drunken weekend moments with friends.
Let's be realistic who is really using this tool for the purpose of business networking??
The advertisements were laid on so thick that I must admit I was almost convinced.
And after countless friends, family, and associates, gave me their login name and password to try it out, I surrender. I decided to do my own research with the tools in which I was provided.
I found myself flipping from one user to another searching for what friends one member had in common with another.
You can lose yourself.
BUT, I had to stop once I found I was clicking from one picture to another and some people I didn't know.
I suddenly thought.. What the hell am I doing?? Was I about to fall for "THE HYPE."
To spend my valuable time looking at pictures of people I knew or didn't know,
specifics don't matter,
was a waste.
To me it was a sign of boredom, nosiness, and a bit narcissistic.
I could be spending time doing things that will actually make a difference in my life or positively affecting the life of someone else.
I love all friends affiliated with any of these online organizations.
I don't think any less of you... I respect you for everything else in your life.
I may never join My Space, Facebook, or whatever new to come, but the good thing is I'm finally online!!!
I can't promise mind-blowing pictures of me or any friends that you may want to poke after seeing them in a photo.
All I can promise is a good read, which is up for speculation.