Writing Discussion 2:

Addiction to our internet ready, WiFi enabled technology, or at least its misuse, can cause remarkble conflicts in our romantic relationships, familial relationships, and work relationships. I would not characterize myself as internet addicted as Devin, Nicole, and George. I will say that the misuse of the internet on my part and others yielded considerable strife in a romantic relationship.
Facebook came out sometime around 2004-2005 when I was in the midst of a relatively long term relationship. LJ and I had been dating for two years before Facebook came out and we had built up some relationship tension throughout this time. I was attending college at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. The combination of Facebook's utility and novelty had taken the campus by storm. Students were reconnecting with old classmates, finding friends from summer camp, or finding a new way to approach new people. New people were finding a way to approach me.
Now that the context of this relationship drama is set, let me explain how facebook is lame and awesome, to use the parlance of our times. It is lame in that anyone can send you a message on your wall. Occasionally, a female woman would leave a wall post which was able to be read by my girlfriend, LJ. One girl, by the name of Katherine, began leaving more and more messages with greater and greater frequency. After a couple of months, LJ developed a suspicion that Katherine and I had a "thing" going on behind her back. Admittingly, I was flirtacious and seemingly not too committed in my interactions with Katherine; but I was no cheater.
Katherine had developed a crush on me and kept sending wall post after wall post. This led to more and more arguments. Tumultuous and loud arguments about whether or
not I could help that this girl liked me, and left seemingly scandalous posts on my wall. These arguments led to hurt feelings. Hurt feelings led to finding relief with other people, i.e. "talking" to other people. I was prideful, angry, and defended some "right" I had to be friends with this girl on Facebook. We broke up and it was lame, but all this "digital drama" caused me to reflect on the root of the situation, if not roots.
Was it that I was being totally dishonest and an awful person? Was flirty girl, enjoying causing the drama she heard was going on between me and LJ? Was Facebook the cause of this?
I have decided that my behavior and intentions were what caused this conflict, facebook was just the conduit that exacerbated our relationship problems. I was young, flirtacious and seemingly not too committed. If I had intended to be committed, then I should have behaved to convey that I was taken. It may have been that another girl could have picked up on this and not left flirty posts. How can one avoid the relationship pitfalls of FB, and make better personal decisions in "real life?" Take steps to establish trust between you and your partner. If you are "effin' around and talkin' to other people, then delete your messages and discontinue your deceitful ways. Tell the flirty ones that you are committed. Give your partner your password, that is, if you intend to keep a relationship healthy. Enjoy each other in "real