Desperate for Contact

Social media is an addictive substance. Being constantly connected with other people has become a ‘need’ in our society, especially in our generation. It is also a staple of the social organization that I am a part of, called Alpha Chi Omega. Alpha Chi Omega is a social fraternity that has recently stripped me of all access to my social media. Yes…this SOCIALLY based organization, that itself has a facebook and twitter account, just said to me, “Hey Alexa, deactivate your social networks….now”. Why you may ask? Well it is for the same reason so many people on campus are currently wearing matching T-shirts and acting like crazy people: its recruitment season.

During the three to four week period before formal sorority recruitment begins, the members of chapters are asked to put aside their social media addiction to prevent distractions and dirty rushing for the good of the community. It is at this time every year that facebook looses about 2,500 users all belonging to the ‘Ball State University” network and #UghRecruitment becomes a trending topic. In my opinion it is a little bit of a social media phenomenon on this campus. You’ll start hear many a conversation start between two women saying things like this; “I sooo was going to post it on your wall but…” or “I wanted to tweet that at her so bad but...” or “I can’t wait to be able to tag you in this...”. Women in my community get so desperate for their social media fix that fake twitter and facebook profiles pop up everywhere. I’m not kidding. Alpha Chi Omega had to deactivate their facebooks Sunday 28th, today is Tuesday the 30th and I have pending friend requests from sisters (who I am already friends with on facebook) under aliases. Our Twitters are to be gone Sunday the 4th and I can’t wait to see what happens then.

I know that this sounds silly (trust me) but I never realized how addicted my peers and I are to social networks until I wasn’t allowed to use them. I will find myself accidently going to facebooks homepage even though I currently don’t have an account. Once my twitter is gone- I am almost certain I will try to accidently tweet. I guess because blogging is a form of social media, and isn’t outlawed during this time of organized chaos, this is how I will have to get my media fix. After writing this blog post I feel a little bit better about being cut off from society. At least I have you Communications 322 counterparts, at least I have you.