Do you buy Adam’s argument that technology like twitter, facebook, etc, that allows us to broadcast our continual status may cause us to be narcissistic?
I think it is interesting to think about the whether social networking technology does indeed provide genuine community or if is simply a distraction–a busy habit that moves us toward isolation.
For the DEVOTED! users of facebook, myspace, twitter, etc, do think it helps you connect (in a real and meaningful way) with people or is it somewhat anonymous, artifical, a systethic fix?
It is probably mixed for me. Facebook is a great way for me to keep in touch with people I know (met and know in real life). I can always check and see what they are up to, and certainly have an easy way to say “What’s up?”
On the flip side, I think it is hilarious to think about the “friend” phenomenon on facebook. Indeed the number of friends or the celebrities/strangers you have as “friends” create a great sense of connectedness, but more often than not, this connectedness is quite inflated.
Interesting article for sure. I think this communication style has a place, but really shouldn’t replace face to face contact with people. I am on facebook, but I rarely check it. I think you learn more about people by blogging on sites like this one!
I was surprised that the age group joining the most is the 40 somethings.
It is a good way to connect with people you haven’t talked to in a really long time. I just had someone find me that I hadn’t talked to in about 10 years.
I can see both pros and cons. I think despite the inherent demons in technology it enables communication I am not sure would happen otherwise. People say things they wouldn’t otherwise say because the personal ramifications I don’t think seem as serious. Is this good or bad, I don’t know, but I do think it encourages communication that maybe wouldn’t happen personally.
I will honestly admit — I spend a lot of wasted time on facebook and cafemom (a facebook for moms). There are pros and cons from my time spent these on-line places. I found a mom’s group in Lawrence through cafemom, it was an easy way to get to know other moms. Two years later, some of these mom’s I met online have become good friends and now we just use cafemom to set up times and places to meet and do all our chatting face to face. I like facebook since it allows family members and friends that live far away can see pictures of our family as we grow. The major con for me - since I am a SAHM mostly is that during nap time I find myself online instead of praying, in God’s word, or cleaning. I think it just depends how people uses these online communication tools and how often that determines what it is doing to us!
Twitter is a bit overwhelming for me, but I really like Facebook. I’ve reconnected with old friends and been able to share my faith with people I knew before I was really plugged-in to Christ. I’ve consciously used the media as a grass-roots ministry tool. One great thing about Facebook is it can promote authenticity among peer groups… when you post something, you post it to all “friends,” not just believers. I am who I am who I am. I like that.
As someone who’s not always great at thinking on the fly, I personally like communicating in 140 characters… it gives me time to think before I share and greater opportunity self-edit. I agree with the article that it’s key to check your motives… I often ask God before I post a status-update or note if it looks okay Him. Not everything I post is spiritual… I think it’s okay to share just to be relatable too.
I’m in the same boat with Brooke. As a SAHM, communication tools like FB help me not feel so isolated. I can “talk” to my friends from the comfort of my own home while the kids happily mill around in an environment where they’re comfortable and not bored (as opposed to dragging them to a coffee shop to meet a friend). I’m now in daily or weekly contact with long-lost friends in other cities and states that I wouldn’t be otherwise.
I do recognize the potential pitfalls… time-suckage is one I have to watch. Like most things, moderation and motives are key.
link to article
June 18th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Do you buy Adam’s argument that technology like twitter, facebook, etc, that allows us to broadcast our continual status may cause us to be narcissistic?
I think it is interesting to think about the whether social networking technology does indeed provide genuine community or if is simply a distraction–a busy habit that moves us toward isolation.
For the DEVOTED!
users of facebook, myspace, twitter, etc, do think it helps you connect (in a real and meaningful way) with people or is it somewhat anonymous, artifical, a systethic fix?
June 18th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
It is probably mixed for me. Facebook is a great way for me to keep in touch with people I know (met and know in real life). I can always check and see what they are up to, and certainly have an easy way to say “What’s up?”
On the flip side, I think it is hilarious to think about the “friend” phenomenon on facebook. Indeed the number of friends or the celebrities/strangers you have as “friends” create a great sense of connectedness, but more often than not, this connectedness is quite inflated.
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Interesting article for sure. I think this communication style has a place, but really shouldn’t replace face to face contact with people. I am on facebook, but I rarely check it. I think you learn more about people by blogging on sites like this one!
I was surprised that the age group joining the most is the 40 somethings.
It is a good way to connect with people you haven’t talked to in a really long time. I just had someone find me that I hadn’t talked to in about 10 years.
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:38 am
I can see both pros and cons. I think despite the inherent demons in technology it enables communication I am not sure would happen otherwise. People say things they wouldn’t otherwise say because the personal ramifications I don’t think seem as serious. Is this good or bad, I don’t know, but I do think it encourages communication that maybe wouldn’t happen personally.
June 23rd, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I will honestly admit — I spend a lot of wasted time on facebook and cafemom (a facebook for moms). There are pros and cons from my time spent these on-line places. I found a mom’s group in Lawrence through cafemom, it was an easy way to get to know other moms. Two years later, some of these mom’s I met online have become good friends and now we just use cafemom to set up times and places to meet and do all our chatting face to face. I like facebook since it allows family members and friends that live far away can see pictures of our family as we grow. The major con for me - since I am a SAHM mostly is that during nap time I find myself online instead of praying, in God’s word, or cleaning. I think it just depends how people uses these online communication tools and how often that determines what it is doing to us!
June 25th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Twitter is a bit overwhelming for me, but I really like Facebook. I’ve reconnected with old friends and been able to share my faith with people I knew before I was really plugged-in to Christ. I’ve consciously used the media as a grass-roots ministry tool. One great thing about Facebook is it can promote authenticity among peer groups… when you post something, you post it to all “friends,” not just believers. I am who I am who I am. I like that.
As someone who’s not always great at thinking on the fly, I personally like communicating in 140 characters… it gives me time to think before I share and greater opportunity self-edit. I agree with the article that it’s key to check your motives… I often ask God before I post a status-update or note if it looks okay Him. Not everything I post is spiritual… I think it’s okay to share just to be relatable too.
I’m in the same boat with Brooke. As a SAHM, communication tools like FB help me not feel so isolated. I can “talk” to my friends from the comfort of my own home while the kids happily mill around in an environment where they’re comfortable and not bored (as opposed to dragging them to a coffee shop to meet a friend). I’m now in daily or weekly contact with long-lost friends in other cities and states that I wouldn’t be otherwise.
I do recognize the potential pitfalls… time-suckage is one I have to watch. Like most things, moderation and motives are key.