Collegiate Times

To claim that Americans are swiftly becoming ?impersonalized? (CT, Sept. 28) should be neither a shock nor a surprise. European cities are condensed, compact and foster social interaction on levels that our horizontal suburbs and vast expanses of land simply cannot emulate. It is quite natural that Americans are more independent and autonomous.

But to claim that companies like Apple and Amazon.com are the great evils in this ?deadly trend? is preposterous. Companies like Apple and Amazon.com exist because there is a demand for their goods and services. Both are examples of companies that have responded to the demand with successful initiatives and designs. If people want an easy-to-use music player to absorb their time, fine ? they?ll make you the best one possible. If people want an at-home shopping interface, fine ? they?ll give you the safest, fastest and most satisfying experience possible.

In addition, of the many forms of online interaction that have become swamped with use, Facebook should not be considered a haven of impersonalization. I have met a great number of people either randomly or through my own friends from that website. Having great libraries of personal information, albeit sometimes trite, can point me to people with similar interests and allow me to make lifetime friendships. And as far as the last example goes, ?can? is the important word here; I?m certainly not an outspoken advocate for extravagant Facebook usage.

Impersonalization is real, but it should not be confused with free ? Americans enjoying the simple pleasures their freedom allows.