I remember those initial days when I had just got Orkutised. Everybody I knew was already there.
I used to send and receive friend requests by dozens a day! I was thrilled. I was always the 'networking' kinda guy you see.
I dont think I received too many of those 'May ya do frensip wid me?' requests.. but I have had my share of those stranger requests and crushes as well.

It was THE source of entertainment and timepass for me. I could talk to my friends who I had lost touch ages ago.. write and receive testimonials on how I felt about my good friends... scrap people sitting right beside me. Oh.. it was fun!

And like any other fad it died soon. I still log in everyday.. but thats more as a 'via' station to gmail.

But of late I started exploring something a little more interesting about orkut. The communities.

There are communities for everything. Communities for vegetarians, non-vegetarians... India, Pakistan... cricket, Soccer... Sachin, Dravid ... Arsenal, Man U... Rehman, Anu Mallik... Shahrukh, Aamir... Congress, BJP... Bush, Obama... Islam, Hinduism... Dark chocolates, Milk Chocolates...Love you, Love you not... Literally anything!

I joined all the ones I really felt I belonged to. India Community was obviously the first one. Sachin the second. And so on..

I think there is a lot you can learn from these communities. The best one being the anti-matter theory - Two communities can have two completely different view points on a same topic/event.

A cricket match result, for e.g. can have a completely different view point in a Tendulkar community compared to the one in Saurav Ganguly community.
A bomb blast can evoke amazingly different responses in India community and Pakistan community.
An election result can mean celebrations to one community and remorse for another.
A film can be declared the hit of the century on one community and a dismal flop on another.

Its fascinating to read the kind of posts on these communities.. to realize how people can have different opinions on same thing.
And the best part is.. most often not too many of them are factually wrong!

There are lots of people on orkut, who have never been able to speak up in life.
Orkut might be the first experience of a 'free for all' podium for such people.. and can thus get nasty and ruthless with some of their opinions.

It is great fun and very educational if you can understand points of view and then try to fit them in your paradigm.
But I have realized.. there are ample opportunities to get corrupted, misled and even'brainwashed'!

Social networking is a beautiful concept.
I know of people who are getting married after meeting on orkut. I have seen startups coming up based on ideas shared here.

But like every beautiful thing, it comes with a few caveats. You just gotta be aware before you scrap :).

PS: Talking about beautiful things and caveats..I think I need to blog next about married life :) watch this space!