Tweets or Twits?

G'day Tragics,

Few would argue that social networking has changed the world forever.  For the better or worse is the grey area that many ponder.  Gone are the days when wiping your bum was a private matter.....it now is an activity that needs to be shared with ones friends, followers or disciples.

The world of sport has embraced social networking, with athletes, coaches, team owners and media using facebook, twitter, fango etc to give a behind the scenes insight into a world of sport that was previously out of bounds to us mere mortals.

Granted some of the glimpses behind the scenes have given sport another dimension, but on the negative it has also highlighted the fact that some sports stars are air-headed ratbags that are lucky enough to be paid squillions for the god-given talent they posses.

Gary Ablett Jr is a huge fan of facebook and twitter and appears to use it in a way that promotes his brand, keeps his nose clean and gives his fans a sneak peak into his private world.  Ablett runs competitions, answers questions, posts photos and recently provided a phone number, so fans could ring him for an hour and have a chat.

By putting himself out there, Ablett avoids the rabid journalists that drove his famous father into hiding during his career.  Recently Ablett was criticised for sharing his feelings on Fremantle tagger, Ryan Crowley's tactics on twitter.  Comments that added spice to a possibly dull contest between the Suns and the Dockers.  Marketing maestro Kevin Sheedy would have loved Ablett's work.

For a negative example of twitter trouble we can look no further than darling of the pool, Stephanie Rice.  Who could forget he very unlady-like tweet of "Suck on that faggots" following a Wallabies victory over the springboks.  Is that what girls speak like these days?....Goodness gracious!

So many athletes feel the need to shoot off at the mouth on facebook or twitter and some are beginning to act as if there opinion ranks up there with Gillard's or Obama's.  Social networking is transforming sports personalities into stars and not in a good way.

How sick do we get of movie stars meeting the President about orphans in Siberia or similar.  These people's egos have been pumped up to the point where they believe their own publicity and forget where they come from.

American athletes jumped off the humble train years ago and unfortunately Aussies are chasing them down.  Fame is fast becoming number one -  above loyalty, teamwork, hard work and the love of their sport that gifted them their popularity.

At the time of writing this, I am an active facebook and twitter user, for how long I don't know.  I am highly concerned with sport and society in general heading toward a catastrophic narcissism driven implosion.

Social networking does have a place in society and sport, but it needs to be used for good not stupidity.  I wonder how long it will be before organisations start training athletes in Facebook etiquette?  #hopefullysoon........Tragic!