Now following on from yesterdays post, I have been having some thoughts with regards Facebook.
I know I have mentioned this before but it kind of bugs me! Of recent months I have seen all sorts of unhealthy stuff on facebook it really has become ridiculous. People using facebook to have a pop at each other people is one of the most immature uses of the internet I have ever seen. Also the whole aspect of displaying their emotions for the world to see!! I don't know, is it any different from a blog in that aspect? I often post my emotional turmoils on here. Still I don't feel comfortable with it, but I could be being hypocritical.
Friends that are acquaintances, people you meet in conferences, other people you don't even know! all that sort of thing, is it good? I know you can say No to friend requests but then that becomes a whole challenge to the ego!!!! Maybe they should limit it to 200 friends or maybe I should limit myself to 200 friends......
The one aspect I have really enjoyed is that a lot of my old school friends have got in touch and also loads of the workers from Ibiza have been in touch, so I can see the benefits.
I guess the photographs are also good, it's nice to see what people are up to.
The apps also bug me, so I just say no to them.
Are we becoming internet stalkers, is our time being drained by watching each other pass our lives away on facebook or blogs? Have we become almost like cyber tourists in a world of images and mundane reflections, do we just watch other peoples lives pass by without actually being involved in them?
I'm conflicted! I enjoy watching and I enjoy having an internet presence but I want to be near people, to talk face to face, to drink with them, to hug them (well not all the time) to be physically present in sharing life rather than just an observer.....
American Baseball Player Jackie Robinson said "Life is not a spectator sport. If you're going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on, in my opinion you're wasting your life."
4 comments:
There are pros and cons to Facebook, some of which you have discribed. Here is both a negative and positive aspect of my experiance with Facebook; A few weeks ago someone hacked into my Facebook account and started leaving inappropriate and rude messages to alot of my friends.
The friends who know me well knew I wouldn't behave like that and those who have only known me a short while also didn't believe it was me. I'm glad no one was offended, and I guess I'm honest and transparant enough for people to know who I am and how I behave.
To be honest I think Facebook is just another trend for us all to get caught up in, now it's Twitter and who knows what the next thing will be. However, it's a good way to keep up to date and in touch with those we no longer see or don't see that often.
I don't think that it has to be an either or, that one excludes the other one out. It's like with drink - Bible doesn't say don't drink at all but just encourages not to get drunk. So everything in moderation... I guess people publish what they feel they can publish. The fact that I have as facebook friends all sorts of people who are not that close to me certainly puts me ( to self-cencorship) off publishing a lot of things.
I love blogs and blogging! I love the people and things I have gotten to know through blogs, among them yous in Ibiza!! =)
But you are right, it bugs me too if people don't join in the conversation or actually get involved with you in some way in real life too. or at least SAY something. Spectator culture is annoying!! It's not real relationships in FB unless we actually communicate.
I think it's a good thing to be conflicted about FB. I removed myself from it for about a year because I found myself getting sucked into being nosey about things and people, and that ain't the deal. I'm back on there (for now at least) because I think the ease of keeping in touch with people, especially friends abroad, is great. It also reminds me to stay hooked in with folks I've not caught up with for a while. But I agree with Mie - it needs discipline, and it's good to be aware of the dangers. For me, I try and check in with God about whether my FB use is helpful, and if it's not, it's time to log off..
I have deactivated my account for a bit.....
Post a Comment