I always found the idea of adding “friends” to your facebook or myspace account a bit odd at times.Sometimes, it seems that these entertaining social networking sites really give a great example of social status. Heck, I remember when I first signed up for face book. First, I added a few friends… and then I began to scour their own accounts, looking for people I knew. It became a small game.. “add as many friends as possible” I mean.. you want to look popular to whomever visits your profile… right?
Then, I began to wonder about the definition of “friend”. Perhaps it is someone you stay in contact with, socialize with, talk to on at least a regular basis. I recall, through facebook, I found people I went to high school, and even elementary school, with. It was very exciting, because many of them were old friends that I hadn’t seen in a very long time. Sure… I -was- friends with these people, in the past. But, I’ve changed, and they have changed, and does writing a few sentences on their facebook “wall” message board constitute and an authentic re-connection? Also, why are we compelled to add in our hobbies, our favorite movies, books, music and alike on your profile? Shouldn’t our friends.. our real and true friends, already know this? Through face book, are we keeping in touch with friends, or are we trying to make new ones?
And finally, of course, are the little games that are played out online:
Yeah, the ending is bizarre. I have no idea either…
Finally, in class, I was introduced to a very interesting concept called “A-Life” (Artifical life) Where, through information technology (such as computers) evolutionary processes can be observed. Great examples are computer games, such as The Sims, that simulate the development of people, or sci-fi games like Galactic Civilizations, that simulate the development of societies.
Then, I came across this game.. which, I think, is the epitome of A-Life and one of the most concise examples of A-life. The complete and utter simulation of biological evolution.. all done by computer code, Spore:
