• http://evolutionyou.net Dena Botbyl

    Brilliance! Yes, I’ve read a few Facebook rants in my day, but this one most certainly made me smile the most. Gah, I am guilty of so many of these Facebook faux pas! But ’tis alright because I think I make up for it with the occasional pretty picture, inspirational quote, kind word (comment), etc.

    I agree with your assessment. The various social media channels really do each serve their own purposes. I love SocMed, guilty as charged. I like Twiiter for being Twiiter, Instagram for being Instagram, and so on. However, I’ve really had to work hard over the past year to ensure that these channels remain useful to me, but not wasteful. It is incredibly easy to get sucked into the vortex and wind up wasting the golden hours of the day perusing vacation (bikini!) pics of ‘that hot girl from year 9 who you sort of knew but not really.’

    For me, it’s all about balance. Social media has a place in my life, as does a nice cold beer. But like anything, there is always the possibility of too much of a good thing.

    I have to add one more thing… For all of its evils, I will always be grateful to Social Media for nurturing my friendships with people like you!

    Sincerely,
    ‘The fat kid from high school’ ;]

    • http://www.andrewcaldwell.org/blog Andrew Caldwell

      I think they’ve all got their purpose for sure, but can be a bit of a time killer. Wasn’t my intention to reign on your Facebook parade, I don’t mind the eyou.net updates on there.

      Couldn’t agree with you more on the twitter, finding like minds has been priceless. Foursquare, you’re taking over the world, you’re mayor of everywhere! :P

      • http://evolutionyou.net Dena Botbyl

        Time killer, indeed! Also, plain silly sometimes. You’ve hit the nail on the head here.

  • http://mdrobertson.com Mark David Robertson

    I was going to write a second post (please unfollow or some ish). But you’ve done it and I don’t have to. And very well, AC, very well.

    My added gripe: the way FB has perverted words like “like,” “status,” and “share.” Like = affirm me/my business. Status = This is what I’m doing now, and I hope someone cares about me enough to fill my styrofoam soul. “Share” = I’m mindlessly cluttering your attention in ways that may distract you, but rarely add any value to your life.

    It takes time, but every time some smart kid says “look! Here’s a new thing,” a few years reveal its pretense and a reaffirmation of the good things in life.

    That said, my wife uses it prudently to keep in touch with a few dear people from her past. It’s lonely when you live in nowhere. Second, when we know “like” means affirm, then it’s a tool. That’s fine, but people who “bow to fb,” or any “platform,” become tools.

    In the Victorian era there were these guys (Carlyle, M Arnold, and others), who were pyro-philosophers too. WE STILL NEED THEM. In other words, keep throwing this stuff into the fire. Anything valuable will remain. Your job is to keep the furnace hot. Let me know if you want help. I’m in.
    m

    • http://www.andrewcaldwell.org/blog Andrew Caldwell

      Ah mdr, I had a section on ‘status’ and what it used to mean, but how easily we can update our own at the drop of a hat.

      Don’t get me wrong though, I’ve got friends in far away places on Van tour’s through Europe and keeping us plebs up to date via a few select photos on Facebook. I read about the day to day sillies of my nieces on Facebook. It definitely seems to have it’s place.

      Thanks for reading mate, means a lot.

      • Anonymous

        The fire is burning!

        Facebook has fallen into a tiny segment of my life. I only check it to see what a particular group is saying (and that group are beautiful people who aren’t tech-savvy enough to migrate from facebook to greener pastures).

        If someone asks me why I don’t “like” facebook, I’ll direct them straight to this post. Thanks for putting words to my feelings : )

  • http://twitter.com/almostbohemian David William

    Yo! We should connect via facebook so I can delete you one of these days.

    In other news, I’ve given serious paring down to my fb contacts, and now my stream is often filled with interesting articles, good new music, engaging social commentaries… dare I say I’ve found a way to enjoy facebook and have it as useful?

    • http://www.andrewcaldwell.org/blog Andrew Caldwell

      Good call, it’s definitely got it’s uses. Some bands & organisations post most of their events etc. to facebook, so it’s handy to keep in the loop.

  • http://twitter.com/30vanquish Matt Ramos

    *The power of unsubscribing from people* Then when I need/want to connect with them again, I can just send them a wall post! Unless they unfriended me already ;)

    • http://www.andrewcaldwell.org/blog Andrew Caldwell

      Don’t you find it strange how the unfriend, status, follow etc.. words have been watered down a bit now? Friends have gone from a genuine connection to clicking a button..

      Thanks for your comment Matt

      • http://twitter.com/30vanquish Matt Ramos

        Yes, the definition of friends has been watered down. However, “friends” back on the backburner can become good friends again if someone changes, which is why I keep people around passively on fb. The benefit is possibly there and the effort is vanishingly small

  • http://twitter.com/almostbohemian David William

    I just really like this bit..

    “Stay at home mothers are now the stars of their own Facebook feed.”

    • Ilexgirl

      SAHM are an easy target. It can be a lonely business looking after babies, and online social networking a sanity saver.

  • Pingback: Why You Shouldn't Deactivate Your Facebook | Almost Bohemian

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