Social media (Twitter, Facebook, Google+) - what does it provide for you? Do you use it primarily to keep in touch with people? Do you use it to network for your job? Are you a social media junkie? What are the pros and cons of social media?
Back when MySpace became popular, I remember thinking to myself, "I'm too old for this ish." And then I got addicted.
I will admit that I still think MySpace was very childish. I remember using a website to "customize my profile page" and even put a song on there to go with it. But it fed a part of me that still longed for friends...real or internet. And it got me back in touch with a few people that I thought I'd never see again.
When Facebook became popular, I remember being relieved that it seemed mostly like it was for grown ups. I've recently (okay...like within the past 5 years) changed my stance on that. But back in the day, it seemed that Facebook was just what it looked like...a way to connect with a multitude of people on ONE platform. And I LOVED it.
I still mostly just stick to Facebook. I have a Twitter account. I remember when I signed up for it a little under a year ago. I used it to follow very closely the Casey Anthony trial (that bitch is guilty, I promise). After the trial ended, I quit updating. And I quit checking my feed. To me, Twitter is probably the most social type of media there is. I make the joke that I'm too long-winded for Twitter...but it's probably because I just don't care that much. Most of the people I know use Facebook and that is why I use social media...to keep up with people.
I see many pros to social media. In my experience, I usually know atleast ONE person who does, sells, knows about or can point me in the right direction of almost ANYTHING. I've found a person who does graphics on vehicles, an IT person, a power supply that can be plugged into a cigarette lighter thingy in the car (I still need to return that to you, Mandie), a home inspector, a person who does kick ass tie dye, what I need to do to get Jayna tested into Kindergarten, a bakery in Irvington, new music to listen to, movies and TV series' to watch, etc. THAT is why I use Facebook. To me, it's like a way to pool our resources and share the wealth. And I've returned the favor several times.
Facebook (does anyone even use Google+ anymore??) also keeps me up to date on my close friends who I don't get to see and/or talk to on a regular basis. And this part is the double-edged sword. The catch 22. Or...insert your own idiom...or whatever. Facebook DOES allow me to keep up with those people. But you know what else would help me keep up with those people? ACTUALLY KEEPING UP WITH THEM. You know, via the phone. Or even a personalized email. Or, hell...and I'm gonna blow your mind here...DINNER. It's so easy to neglect face-to-face human contact when it's all right there at your fingertips. And that's a con that I see to Facebook.
Another con? The inclination of grown ass adults to act like whiny, passive aggressive, opinionated, close-minded jackasses. THERE. I just said what you all are thinking.
I see more and more people hiding behind the guise of an online persona and acting like complete jerks. Would these people act this way face to face? My guess is a BIG FAT GIANT NO. I do love sharing with people. I love to read funny stories about peoples' lives...their jobs, their pets, their kids. I love to hear what is going on in the lives of my friends. BUT...if you have a status that says something like "I don't even know why I bother anymore." and you just leave it at that? Geez. Get a life.
I understand that we all have bad days. I've done my share of vaguebooking. I've done my share of posting articles and opinion pieces that I believe in. And while I've done both of those, they are not my status quo. I always do it with kindness and respect. I don't call out people I don't agree with (unless you're a vaguebooker) and I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT give it my best try to offend people, with memes, articles or otherwise. And if you are one of those people, I will probably unfriend you or, at the very least, hide you from my feed.
Overall, I think that social media is a good thing. I know that it can be used in very bad ways, but can't everything? I could go on and on for days regarding the implications of social media, but I think I've hit the highs (and lows) here. Below are some examples of the things I've written about and my comments as such:
That one in the middle to the Eastsiders? That was an argument between Chris and me. He said one thing and I, of course, said the right thing. We couldn't agree, so I went to my Eastside peeps on Facebook to get an answer. As it turns out, someone commented who worked there...for YEARS after Chris thought they closed!!! Bazinga, Chris. BAZINGA.
One day I was feeling especially tolerant and I went through and unhid everyone that I had previously hidden from my newsfeed. I almost immediately remembered why I had those people hidden to begin with. And what's funnier? Some of those hidden people commented on that status.
Without Facebook, how would my crazy Aunt Liz send me funny memes about drinking wine?!? I mean, this made my day better. Mostly because she told me I had witty comebacks, a vivacious personality and expert advice. Har-dee-har. :)
Again...how would my fellow wine diva and fellow ToT'er Charlotte let me know that it's National Wine Day??? These are things I NEED to know!
This is one of my favorite things about Facebook. It is truly a great resource if you're totally freakin' confused about something...such as I was when I began thinking about Jayna going to Kindergarten early. I got so much geat feedback from teachers and parents and people who attended schools in that district. It made my further research MUCH more simple.
How about you? Are you a social media junkie? How do you use it? More cons than pros or vice versa? Remember to check out the other ToT entries to the right!!
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