Social Networking is all the rage. Do you tweet? Are you on Facebook? Will you answer my friend request? Well, after having joined this great movement I have come to some conclusions...
First, like most any form of networking, you have to listen to a lot of drivel before there is any depth. In the upper midwest they may talk about a snow storm coming in. In Phoenix, we may talk about how hot it is today. At the family table we may hear a lot about nothing. On Facebookl, we get to hear about Farmville and Mafia Wars. Yet, like in all our other settings, some of this is just the precursor to that moment when the conversation goes deep.
Second, it is interesting when you are limited in the characters or words you are allowed to type. We are developing a 'personal ads' form of conversation. The nice thing is that when most of what you read is somewhat inane it is nice to know there is a limit. The sad side of it is when you do have that moemnt when real life is being shared.
Third, the social networking sites can be a great means to connect people from a wide geographical area for the purpose or cause that is their passion. This past week, I have tried an experiment to see if through my very small network, I could use the 100 people to pass on a message of support for my Leukemia ride. It was gratifying seeing some of my 'friends' pass on my message to their social groups. At this time, however, while some have responded, it has not been a great way to get the message out. We will see if that changes with a little bit more time.
Finally, social networking reveals just how narcissitic we can be. It is one thing to hear Uncle Joe talk at Christmas dinner about his ingrown toenail, but it is completely different to hear about the ups and downs of various 'friends.' I'm not sure I would want people to know all the inner workings of my life, but for others it is just part of the territiory. I suppose I am grateful for their honesty and vulnerability, but nonetheless I wonder if there are not more important issues for us to be engaged in in cyberspace.
Just a few random thoughts.
Peace,
pal
Faux-P.AL,
ReplyDeleteI like your meanderings about social networking, it is very true that we focus to much on ourselves when we use most of these networking sites, and use it as a personal advertisement. The big question that pains me, is does the youth realize that everything that is posted is saved forever, and that it can be googled and found once its been posted. This is true of all sites, even blog comments, its as easy as googling your name and adding some sub search ideas, like Myspace or bogspot. Facebook has managed to keep some control over what is published online, and that is why its really not the greatest suppliment for your resume. I get seriously bored on fACEBOOK, unless I am getting to be apart of some page with 20 or more comments. I compare to FACEBOOK to the classroom full of people and no teacher.
Twitter makes more sense to me, I like to be able to get actual words from the people that I would love to know. I have yet to be on twitter on my phone like the rest, and that is really what it is for, but i have really enjoyed some of the comments; once steve vai the guitarist was driving to a show, he twittered on the way, then, he twitters, oh no car broke down, then he twitters, walking in the desert for miles, looking for gas...it was really funny. I look up people in society that I would never get to email and I get to read exactly what they wrote, almost all of congress has one, even our President Twitters, haha , yea someone helps him :/
Virtues of social networking, realizing that we are really people who need to be close to eachother, and in most situations everyone is accepting and open to listen to what the other has to say. For the generation of kids, that have grown up with a computer, and never felt all alone,I watch with shock at their ability to write such drama, it makes soap opera look dumb and dull, I only ask one thing, watch the doughnut not the hole.
the rest that cant possibly understand why, just wait a little longer, something will find your interest, and if we are really smart it will do for you what it did for the youth, make you feel as if your never alone. '
:)
Love ,
peace P AL
PS CREATING A PAY PAL ACCOUNT- CAN HELP YOU ACCEPT DONATIONS ONLINE- EMAIL ME IF YOU HAVE ONE I WILL MAKE YOU A WEB PAGE
Al you have some good thoughts here but you need to remember one thing...you are a gutenberg :)
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