Most friends and colleagues have been bothered about this already, but for the rest of you fine folks… especially those who aren’t a member of the forum (I have no idea why that would be the case, seriously), or do not frequent the news update portion of this site (which I will admit, is only updated once every couple of months) …here’s the deal:
A few out there might already know that I have a fairly rich and storied past when it comes to internet dating. Hate to toot my own horn, but I do consider myself somewhat of trailblazer of sorts! Because in this modern age, it’s actually somewhat socially acceptable to not only interact with people found on the internet, but then carry those relationships into the real world, even when it comes to romantic entanglements, thanks to sites such as Facebook and OK Cupid. Whereas I was attempting the same during Web 2.0′s earliest, and perhaps darkest days, when folks thought I was positively nuts for using LiveJournal and Friendster, which must didn’t realize was the perfect avenue to engage with the opposite sex. And perhaps because it was indeed the wild west back then, there’s plenty of tall tales to reflect those crazy times as a result, which have since become quite popular among friends at the dinner table or at the bar.
Yet some of these anecdotes might also serve an important role for those who study anthropology and ethnography, especially as it relates to analyzing and deconstructing virtual societal behaviors, which is the hot topic at the moment, right? My good pal dongle, aka Jonathan Beilin, who not only put together the latest version of the forum but is also part of the Web Ecology Project, is proposing a panel that explores such territory, and if it gets green-lit, I’ll be one of it’s featured speakers! Specific information on the presentation can be found here.
Now, the only way it’s going to happen is if enough people vote for it, and that’s where you come in! For everyone who would love to see and hear me discuss in vivid detail all the wacky techniques I developed while trying to bang hapless emo college girls scoured from MakeOutClub to a room full of academics, or at least after the fact, I’ll have to ask everyone to take just a little bit of time to register here. Then simply go back to the panel description, click on the thumbs up, and if enough people do the same, I’ll be on my way to the Lone Star State, thanks to all of you!
Yes, registering for yet another something-something online is a pain in the ass, but it seriously takes only ten seconds, and I?d REALLY appreciate it. Just remember to do so ASAP, since voting ends exactly one week from now, on September 4th. And since I also have no idea how many votes are needed, please pass this along to all your pals. Thanks a bunch in advance!
