This is the page I pull up when I open Safari on my computer. It lists the sites I frequently visit so that I can just click on the icon to go directly there. . . .
Did you notice what's missing? Several of my web journals are listed as well as Blogger Dashboard--that's where I go to moderate comments that don't come directly to my e-mail inbox. I'll give you a little more time to look at the list. . . .
If you didn't notice, perhaps it's because you never bothered to be on Facebook. I joined years ago in order to see what my sons were up to. As much as I'm sure they did not want to "friend" their mother, they obliged me. But now I've decided to be on-line LESS and felt the only way to achieve that is to no longer visit Facebook--either to post there or to follow others' posts. That's because I want MORE time to devote to my own creative pursuits. I have appreciated being able to follow other's creative pursuits to stimulate my own, but I have not been very good at disciplining myself to just take a peek! I've also unsubscribed to several newsletters I read and a couple Blogs.
This is not a sudden decision. Since the first of the year I've been ruminating on it. I found myself longing for the good old days when you only heard from people if they wrote you a letter, picked up the phone and called, or came for a visit. Now your friends and family know just enough about what you're up to by checking Facebook to not have to do any of the above. And I have to say, I'm just as guilty. Facebook is great for dispatching information, but does nothing to further and enrich relationships. I wonder what would happen if EVERYONE disconnected from social websites and even Blogs that use terminology like "Friend" when we all know that it does not foster true friendship?!
So my question for you this month is how do you feel about all the social media options available to us today? There are several more I've only heard about and probably some I'm not even aware of. Which ones do you use? Have you ever gone cold turkey and stopped using social media? What did you discover? Did you miss it or did you take the next step and delete your account? I have used it to reconnect with several childhood friends, which was fun, but we have not maintained the connection because of the passage of time and distance. Have you found old friends and renewed your friendship because of Facebook? Have the positive aspects outweighed the negative for you?
I will let you know next month how it's going; that is, if you have not deleted my web journal from your reading list by then--I will not be offended if you do--I understand if what I post about no longer matches your interests! I'm hoping I'll spend more time on my drawing and painting and that I'll be spurred on to write letters, make phone calls, or schedule visits with my friends and family. Who knows--maybe I'll get a letter or a phone call or maybe even a visit.
.•*¨`*•. ☆ .•*¨`*•
Take Joy!
I noticed right away that you don't have Facebook in your list. Facebook is my way as well of keeping up with my children. It's always been a way to share with extended family, but not web friends. During this election year, I have become increasingly aggravated about political tirades. I don't enjoy the drama. I'm concerned about the use of smartphones at dining tables in restaurants and shopping and driving. The list goes on and on. Technology is wonderful, but it truly is not face to face sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhile we have been so busy with our renovation and painting, I've had less time to share on my blog. It's made me reconsider how often to post. ♥
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject, Martha Ellen. I "unfollowed" several people LAST year because of the political tirades--the ones that are disrespectful are the worst. I'm all for debating the issues, but not for trashing PEOPLE just because you don't agree with their ideology. I've only had a smart phone for a year, which has made it all too easy to check social media, e-mail, etc. It truly has become a substitute for face-to-face conversation unfortunately. But I do have one funny story proclaiming a good use of the technology. At the wedding reception we went to in Phoenix my sister-in-law and I texted each other under the table because the music was too loud to carry on a conversation. 😀
DeleteMy husband & I just have a regular cell phone. He & I agreed that we would rather hear the voices of those friends & family that call. We blocked "texting". I enjoy Facebook as it keeps me in touch with my extended family such as Niece's, Nephew's in addition to my immediate family, Brother's, Sister, Step Son, & Daughter-In-Law's. I love to see the pic's that they post and I too can tag them pic's that I have taken at my Grandsons events, etc. I do agree that I enjoy getting phone calls & with social media I do not seem to get many, nor do I make calls when I probably should. We even have long distance dialing for free on our regular home phone. I guess it is because I'm afraid that if I call & get an answering machine the person will feel obliged to return my call and it would be a cost to them that they would rather avoid. I'm glad I subscribed to your various blogs Sis, so I will still enjoy your posts via email. I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with you in July. I love you and miss you!
ReplyDeleteFacebook does have it's benefits! Otherwise, it would not be so popular. There is a downside to calling since so many people only have cell phones now. I'm afraid I'll call while they're driving or out to dinner or some other very inconvenient time because most people don't let their calls go to their message service like they might if it was a house phone. If I do call, I always ask if it's a good time to talk! I will still use e-mail--and I always respond the same day (if it's not have I've turned off my computer)--so that is a good way to get in touch with me now.
DeleteI will echo Martha Ellen......I am on Facebook to keep tabs on the kids and Grandkids! I check it once or twice a day, that's it. This technology is definitely a double edge sword. It is so handy to get a text from my son early in the morning, just quick little conversations that we would never have if he had to pick up the phone and call. Also to be able to FaceTime with them and see the Grandkids. Even with my mom's limited vision she can't get over that she can see them anytime and talk to them via FaceTime. All of that said....if it all went away tomorrow I would be fine without it! I don't watch television either. Now that Downton is over I doubt I watch an hour a month. I don't carry a cellphone. And I wait on customers daily who never get off their phones. They walk in the door on it and walk out the door still talking. That is my biggest pet peeve!
ReplyDeleteThen again, technology has allowed me to meet some wonderful new friends, I could never have met without it. I guess moderation is the key word!
Chris Wells
Hi Chris. I am fortunate that my grandchildren are close by, but I intend to use Skype when Olivia starts school and I won't see her as often. And I will still text my sons when I need to get ahold of them quickly. I know they will always see my texts since they carry their phones with them in their pocket. These are all "personal" ways to communicate. Facebook seems just too impersonal to me anymore. I agree with you about people being on the phone while in stores. I've turned to people thinking they were speaking to me! The worst are those with Bluetooth because you don't even see the phone.
DeleteI do not use any social media options, I prefer to keep in touch with family and friends via letters and phone. I do use email a lot and I do use Skype so that I can SEE the grandchildren as they don't live close.
ReplyDeleteSkype is a wonderful PERSONAL way to keep in touch, as is e-mail. I'm all for it!
DeleteGood Morning Cathy, I got off Facebook years ago, and am glad I did. I found it to be insidious and phony. I don't do any social media but my blog. The blog feels more personal and I think you can actually get to know people as long distance friends. In fact, I have met up with many of my blogging friends in person and become Actual friends. I notice that so many are dumping blogging in favor of Facebook, but I continue to hang in there because I like to blog and I enjoy the interaction with my blogging pals,like you. I still write REAL letters and send real cards, because it is almost a dying art these days. I rarely text. I do email, I like email, but it isn't really Social Media.
ReplyDeleteJeri, you've expressed exactly how I feel. Facebook is too impersonal for me. Like you, I love the interaction I have with my web journal correspondents. It feels like having pen pals all over the world!
DeleteIn general I think people have been so wrapped up in new technology because of simply that - it's new. It's fun. It's buttons to push. And I don't like - at all - the fact that people who used to call with invitations now e-mail them, or don't even do that anymore. But unless I'm mistaken, it does seem to be subsiding somewhat. Younger people, teens and 20-somethings I think, are still pretty badly-addicted, but there are others who now seem to recognize the fact that we were never meant to stare at electronic devices all day. And our kids certainly weren't meant to, especially young children. That MOST of the stuff that buzzes and dings, demanding your attention, is in no way anything important. AT ALL. All of it can wait and will eventually be deleted or trashed in seconds, never even having been read. Most importantly these devices also present very real dangers to those un-thinking individuals who do virtually anything with their phones while driving.
ReplyDeleteAs far as social media is concerned, I've never been too involved. I do look at some Twitter, but generally just once or twice a week. Mostly political, news or historical topics. I never joined Facebook either. On hearing what it was all about, it sounded "fishy" to me. Why did I need to provide all kinds of personal information to Facebook just to be able to share photos with friends? I can e-mail them directly. Facebook, to me, is an unnecessary middleman. But so many people jump onto the bandwagon on the Latest Thing immediately before thinking about whether or not they really need it. Or whether it'll be good for them in the long run. I bet there are now probably millions of people who wished they never became involved with Facebook, especially these days when you hear horror stories of bullying, stalking or worse. The other thing I always heard about Facebook was "Oh you MUST join Facebook! Everyone is - everyone just LOVES it..." And that kind of thing always rates a major side-eye from me. Every time anyone says "Everyone loves X..." my ornery side comes out. My mother said even as a 2 or 3-year old, "Everybody loves this..." never worked on me. She & my Dad started saying "Well, we don't think you'll like vegetable X too much, so we won't give you any..." and within a day, they apparently had a champion vegetable X-eater on their hands. LOL. Like I said, just plain belligerence on my part I think. So far I have to say it has served me pretty well though. 💛
Janet, middleman is a very good way to describe Facebook. It's why I finally realized how impersonal it is. I guess it all depends on why you use it. It is a nice way to join in discussions on a forum, but it's not a good way to maintain a friendship with people you know in person.
DeleteI think eventually Facebook will end up being a pretty massive electronic yellow pages - a place for businesses - especially smaller ones, start-ups etc - to put their messages out, attract customers, track all kinds of business data etc. But not nearly the social thing it is now. My youngest sister, who has always hurried out to be first in the family to get every new gadget, is STILL aghast that I don't have a smartphone and am not on Facebook. She gave me a tee-shirt [very cute] last Christmas that says on the front "Yes, it's true. I'm not on Facebook..." LOL.
DeleteJanet, I think you're right about that, but I think there will always be people who like Facebook for what it is. It will only "go away" if something replaces it.
DeleteWe too joined facebook when our son moved away from home to university. I rarely use it now. There are so good advantages of social media but it can take up so much time which could be better used having a face to face contact. Sarah x
ReplyDelete