Social networking is all the rage. Unless you haven’t walked outside, turned on your TV or been visited by anyone in the past year, I’m not telling you something you don’t already know. Social networking and the act of broadcasting your life – or lifestreaming – to the larger online arena is nothing new, but it is gaining massive momentum and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

However, as we continue to come up with more “instant” vehicles of communication, the question I want answered is why? Why do people want to be connected all the time? Why do I want to tell 457 followers that I ate a turkey and mayo sandwich for lunch? There are countless studies dedicated to how social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are changing the evolutionary communication game and affecting everyone from my little sister to my elderly grandmother but few that have satiated my craving for the real reasons people share so much.

I understand the instant gratification of showing everyone how “cool” your life is – vacations to exotic places, your new baby, even how miserable “insert city/school/significant other” is. I get it. But it takes serious dedication to update your status on the regular, comment on your second cousin’s twice removed ex-wife’s videos and post photos of every activity you’ve been participating in – I mean, how else would everyone know that you were really there? Never mind that you probably had a great time documenting the experience instead of say, experiencing it? Why the sudden narcissism and obsession with everyone knowing how great we are?

Working in an industry that requires me to be on top of my social networking game, I learned of Twitter earlier than most of my friends and so I was often asked, “What’s this Twitter thing all about?” I’m sure I confused (and even angered some) people when I remarked that Twitter was essentially marketers talking to marketers. To some extent, I still believe that. At the advent of Twitter, PR professionals, advertising execs and marketers rushed in to flex their intelligence muscles, proving that they really “understood” the space by posting industry relevant links every hour, on the hour. It’s comical to think back because at that time, the creators of Twitter didn’t even understand the space they were creating, so how did anyone else?

The face of Twitter has radically changed and influenced society in ways that were never conceived at the start (Twitter Search: Iranian election conflicts), arguably for the betterment of the global community at large. I’m not at all suggesting that this isn’t a monumental breakthrough in the way that we source and consume information at a very high level – it certainly is – and I don’t think that’s the point of this article. I 100% agree that we should be using these avenues as a way to disseminate information that needs to be given a voice but my question is how do we differentiate between global crises and my friend’s drinking marathon last weekend? And why do we feel the need to share something so seemingly insignificant when so many actual issues are in play?

Clinical psychologist Oliver James recently wrote an article called, “I Tweet, Therefore I Am.” In his piece he states that “Twittering stems from a lack of identity.” Though I think this is a harsh statement, and one that I’m sure those engulfed in the Iranian conflict would strongly disagree with, it does help shed light on why some people feel enamored to share everything. We’ve already learned that the computer is a great barrier wall in which people feel comfortable saying and doing things that they would never actually say or do in real life.

For this same reason, I have a theory that people post photos and update their statuses to reflect a type of self-made image of their perfect selves – in other words, who they wish they could be in real-life. Whereas I may not tell everyone I come across that I went to a music festival, if they see if my Facebook photos or Twitter updates, I am now the type of person that “goes to music festivals.” Social networks allow us to become exactly who we wish we could be all the time with no slip-ups or explanations. This is why documenting the experience becomes just as much – if not more –important than actually being in the moment and experiencing whatever it is you may be experiencing and also why status updates are often times marked by wit, provocative thought, etc. In a global and mobile “always on” atmosphere where everyone is clamoring to define themselves from everyone else, social networks play an important role in creating an everlasting, if not sometimes misleading, identity.

Think about this for a minute and answer honestly: Why do you participate in social networks?

You can also join the discussion on this at MobileBehavior’s blog, Next Great Thing.

Over Labor Day we went to our Connecticut to visit our newlywed friends, Meredith and Chris.

It was an awesome time filled with good food, intelligent conversation, nature hiking and max amounts of relaxation. Since we’ve been back, Mike and I have found ourselves stopping in mid-sentence to say, “I miss Chris and Meredith.”

Honestly, there’s nothing better than really, really amazing friends.

Thanks for your hospitality guys. We’re so lucky to have you in our lives. :)

When I first heard about S’Mac, I was jealous. An American favorite, macaroni and cheese, probably done to perfection at this small E. Village eatery would normally not be an option for me. BUT (!) upon inspection of their menu, I discovered that all of their amazing concoctions can be tailored to be gluten-free - right down to the breadcrumbs on top.

After this epiphony, I knew it wouldn’t be long before I made a trip to this orange haven on 12th Street. Initially the trip had been planned for a Friday afternoon lunch but work kept me tied to my desk and I wasn’t able to break free with a co-worker in tow until yesterday.

When I arrived, I opted for the 4 Cheese - simple and classic. See above picture for evidence that it was amazing.

I’ll be back. Well done, S’Mac.

S’Mac is located at 345 East 12th Street, NY, NY.

My personality type:

Enthusiastic, idealistic and creative. Able to do almost anything that interests them. Great people skills. Need to live life in accordance with their inner values. Excited by new ideas, but bored with details. Open-minded and flexible, with a broad range of interests and abilities. (via 41Q, a personality test in 41 questions)

Cool site I came across in my internet stumblings. Enjoy!

Oh HELL NO, Facebook, I will NOT become a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals!

Anyone want to buy it for me?