Through MySpace's vast networking capabilities, I can keep in contact with people I have no desire to actually hang out with or call. On the other hand, MySpace becomes completely ridiculous when held as holy.
Unfortunately, the latter seems to be a recurring theme. This is especially true for preteen girls labeling themselves as "99 years old" to mask the fact they are still in middle school.
Recently though, another sect of users are giving seventh grade girls a run for their money in the "most likely to refresh their MySpace homepage 7,549,655 times per minute" category.
I shall reveal the winner later, but first: background information crucial to the winner's credibility.
On July 18, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. bought Intermix Media, the owner of multiple networking Web sites, including MySpace.com. The purchase cost News Corp. $520 million.
News Corp. currently owns all Fox affiliates, DirecTV, The New York Post and Harper Morrow Publishers among other things.
CNN.com heralds MySpace, whose slogan is "a place for friends," as the "most popular social networking site." It hosts a slew of unnecessary features like blogs, instant messaging, event invitations and internal e-mail.
Though MySpace simply provides features most people already have, 22 million users have registered since its opening two years ago.
The acquisition is part of Murdoch's attempt to help News Corp. branch off into the online world. This may be a ridiculous start, but it seems to be a smart one.
In February, MySpace attracted 9 million viewers. In just four months, the June tally rose to 17.7 million U.S. browsers.
And this change of hands for MySpace's ownership is not sitting well with a handful of those users. Enter our winner.
Such distaste provided MySpace group "Faux News" plenty of substance for regurgitated forum topics. Members post complaints about how much MySpace is going to suck now.
One member proposed organizing booths at college campuses, enlightening students about the switch of power and hoping to get them to quit MySpace.
In the same Aug. 2 thread, another member proposes that even if the 188 members convinced 500 users each to quit with them, less than .5 percent of the MySpace population would be affected. Since then, only 250 more people have joined the "Faux News" group.
Specific groups dedicated to the cause have arisen recently as well. One, titled "Quit Murdoch's Space" has 108 members.
The groups are concerned with Murdoch ruling over their beloved Web site. Some express worry about whether the site will change in general, if their content will be censored or if Fox News ads will overflow their screen.
Yes, Murdoch will go through your user page and erase anything that doesn't blatantly place the GOP on a pedestal. Though, to tell you the truth, I would rather see a Fox News advertisement than those giddy, soft-drink-loving Fantana girls any day.
But really, if they were as loyal to MySpace as they seem, maybe the doubtful would pay more heed to the announcement MySpace co-creator Tom Anderson sent out.
"Many of you have asked about NewsCorp buying MySpace ... Everyone seems scared that MySpace is going to change. I'm not leaving, and I'm still making the decisions about the site, and I'm not going to let things suck."
MySpace CEO and co-creator Chris DeWolfe agrees with Anderson. In fact, he has even disclosed that News Corp. is going to allow MySpace to advance in development. Say hello to even more features.
At least "Quit Murdoch's Space" will now be able to lounge around the Web comfortably while griping about Big Brother. Congratulations!
Let us admit the obvious: It is the Internet. On a personal level, it really shouldn't be taken so seriously.
I suggest investing time in something more productive than MySpace - basically, anything.
Then again, I am the one dedicating a whole column to it.
Celeste Sepessy is a journalism freshman. Reach her at celeste.sepessy@asu.edu.
