DISQUS

mousewords · 6 months ago

I really do believe in the value of social media, because I know the benefit it's had on my life and work. I've made good friends, learned new things, had fun. But there's no question that the internet can be a real time drain; and even more dangerous, a motivational drain--lulling my active thoughts into comfy browsing, even when that browsing is worthwhile interaction or beneficial research.

But it's funny, because I've found there are also "real-world" activities whose "influence can expand exponentially to absorb your free time." Again, good and interesting of themselves, but maybe not what I need to be doing.

I'm learning that the key is to determine my priorities; and then focus all my time, attention, and energy on them exclusively.

Then go veg out on Twitter as my reward. ;-)

Mark Dykeman · 6 months ago

Heh, the last is pretty humorous. Good one, Christine!

And, yes, there are certainly plenty of off-line time sinks as well.

I think it's also worth noting Jay's point about the lack of fulfillment, too.

gregorylent · 6 months ago

HTW ... huge time waste ... about the same as television, just called "social media" ...

Mark Dykeman · 6 months ago

Could be.

JayCruz · 6 months ago

Thanks for sharing the post around and for offering a really great reaction. I was kind of scared that it was going to turn out too lecture-y. :) I don't think is something that drastic though. That's another assumption about social media that's overblown. The idea that if you're not on Twitter, Facebook, Friendfeed, you're missing out. I guess the speed, but I find that to be more of a disadvantage. I'm slowing it down like Dr Dre with Dr Pepper.

I'm definitely not planning on quitting the blog however. This can sound hypocritical because blogs are thrown into the social media tag, but the expectation and purpose is clear. I write, you read. Maybe I get comment, maybe I comment back. :) But I'm definitely out of the following-being-followed thing. And hey, I can always make a blog post of what I had for breakfast.

Thanks again Mark. I always appreciate your thoughts.

Mark Dykeman · 6 months ago

No worries, thanks for stopping by. Glad to hear the blogging continues!

Zed · 6 months ago

You know what? I KNOW I'm a social media addict. I WAY prefer it to being a TV addict. TV decides what I learn, what I watch. (I have a choice of shows, but..once in a show, I'm locked into that show) I like the social interaction. If I'm going to be sitting around, I want to be sitting around interacting with people in real time. I find VERY FEW people here in the deep south that i can connect with. It it weren't for social media, I'd be sitting on the porch with my brother shooting at squirrels. Or I'd be watching cable tv. Or I'd be ... well, I guess I'd be doing what I did before I found the internet, drinking myself to death.

Mark Dykeman · 6 months ago

And that's another useful perspective, Zed. :)

Seriously, I can understand your concern about not having kindred souls to connect with.

Michael Kozakewich · 6 months ago

I'd say the biggest factor is WHY you use it.
To me, it's a wonderful way to eavesdrop into conversations between people I look up to. I get a better sense of who they are, and where all their interests lie.

Mark Dykeman · 6 months ago

Michael, that's certainly true to the extent of what people reveal about themselves online. You certainly get a better sense of what a person is like with these tools than without, but it's still a limited glimpse.

Chris Catania · 6 months ago

Great topic!

I'm the kind of person that's very curious about a lot of things, especially things going on in social media. But I can also get overwhelmed really quickly, too. Which sadly takes away from my "cognitive surplus" and "creative energy." And when those are depleted, I've discovered that it takes away from what I can actually bring to the conversations going on in Facebook and Twitter.

I often wonder why someone has followed me for months on twitter but not said anything via @replies or DM. I don't @reply to every follower but when I saw few followers engaging with me, even though I showed a genuine interest in their ideas, I started to have my doubts about the benefits of Twitter as a relationship building tool.

So I started to focus more on having real expectations and focus more on building a manageable community. But building relationships is hard to do in person, let alone via the internet or social media communities. And it's also hard not to get caught up in the social media popularity contest, and think that if you don't have a bazillion followers than you're not doing something right. Which is one of the emotional traps of Twitter.

My goal lately has been to really focus on what I'm passionate about and try to figure out how that can help other people. And hopefully what I bring to the community will change the world for the better in some way. That's something I can manage, which helps me see the benefits of social media more than its flaws.

I'm confident that blogs are still going to be around because they can present a more complete picture of person and their built better for conversation over a period of time, which is key to building meaningful relationships. And I do hope that you keep blogging Jay.

As you can tell, this post really struck a chord. Thanks for sharing Mark!