Hi. My name is Tharuna and I am "addicted" to social networking sites. There are two in particular: Twitter and Facebook. My friend believes that these sites have become the new alcohol/cigarettes/shopping sprees with added benefits like lower cost, easy access, and greater satisfaction. This provides one explanation for why they are spreading like an ink stain, barrier-less and reaching all age groups, races, and social classes.

Some years ago, a co-worker had accompanied a friend as moral support to a band audition. My co-worker, M, saw a lovely-looking guy exiting the audition room with a saxophone. She worked up the nerve to introduce herself and they chatted about random things: the weather, the L train, the Beatles vs. the Stones, and then the friend was called to perform. During the hubbub, they went their separate ways and never exchanged phone numbers. This is not an unusual story, except for what happens next.

Super expensive college tuition, public  high schools operating like drop-out factories, and students struggling to complete high school. The American education system has been in the news recently for its failures. But still, why would thousands of students from around the world do anything to get a chance to attend an American university? Something to think about.

Have you noticed that media coverage (U.S. media) of the Haiti disaster is getting a bit too emotional for comfort? I mean, the reporters on the ground are focusing so much on personal stories and getting personally invested in the story that they are failing to maintain journalistic balance.

As you know Haiti has been devastated by a massive earthquake. Already poor and lacking infrastructure and financial means, Haiti is in no way capable of dealing with this disaster on its own.

We need to help.

Yesterday marked the "Ninth Annual No Pants Subway Ride," wherein thousands of exhibitionist New Yorkers got down to their skivvies and boarded the subway.