This is a post I don't want to write, but I feel it needs to be said.
I recently joined Facebook, as a personal account, for about one month. I am done with it.
While it was fun for a while- connecting with old friends, seeing what everyone was doing, the novelty quickly wore off.
Facebook was distracting me from what was most important- being there for my kids and husband.
For me, it turned into a time-waster.
Not only that, misunderstandings were very common among family members and friends. When you read something that is typed, you cannot tell the person's tone of voice. So in reality, you read it, in your current emotional state, and interpret it from there. Do you really get the meaning of what others are truly saying? I don't think so.
So while Facebook was suppose to help me connect with friends and family and form better relationships, it was actually hurting and harming some of the relationships I treasured the most.
Ironic isn't it?
And I decided something about Facebook, that I shared with a few family members:
It is an adults way to have "show-n-tell" and pass and write notes.
I don't know about you, but I think I finished junior high a long time ago. ☻☻☻
Just something to think about with internet communication. :)
I know some would argue blogs are the same. For me, the difference with this blog, is that it is a record of things I am doing-a sharing journal-and it is a means to help me stretch my mind and learn and share new things.
For example-If you had told me 5 years ago I could teach myself to machine quilt- or I would actually enjoy making quilts-
I would have laughed. ;) I learned to do that and love it through blogging and the inspiration shared by others ;)
I would love to hear what you think of the whole FB thing ....
Thanks for reading!
More crafts coming this week- i.e. the tote bag tute many of you have requested :) thanks for your patience!
15 comments:
i can see exactly what you are saying....there is a lot of game playing and updating that seems needless. i personally have always thought it was a little strange, for me, so i have never taken part or made an account.
You are right! I've never thought of it like that before. Luckily I've never run into any misunderstandings. Actually I really liked passing notes in middle school and I love thinking of witty comments to "pass" on facebook. :)
i think, depending on what you use it for, it can be good and bad. i've just started to "hide" people that bug me with their endless and annoying posts. i like to have an account to stay in touch with people, but can definitely see how it can come to be a huge waste of time. i also think that a lot of times people take things way out of context and react in an immature way. but i also think that sometimes people write things to get a reaction, like saying how much they hate this or that. how desperate are we for attention these days? check out facebook and you'll see how desperate so many people are. i see it on people's blogs a lot too, and it starts to get old... anyway, that's what i think.
I don't really like facebook either! I keep my account to check in with people every month or so but otherwise I agree...total time waster. I haven't had any problems with misunderstanding or anything yet...but it is probably because I am almost never on it. :)
YOu make very valid points...I hadn't thought a lot about it that way.
I will say that it was extremely easy to update family members near and far when my son broke his arm two weeks ago via facebook. so, for that, I appreciate t. I played a few of the games for awhile until I realized all I was doing was button pushing!
I am not on facebook and have never been on facebook for all the reasons you said!
I feel like there is a lot of gossip around facebook too "did you see what so-and-so posted on facebook..." I have enough problems with gossiping without facebook getting in the way! Yes... jr high!
Although I know and love many facebookers! :) It is just not for me!
Happy to find another non-facebooker... there are only a few of us you know! :)
The whole show and tell thing... I have to say I agree. BUT! That is what most mommy blogs and craftblogs are all about as well. So, really, its no different.
Sharla...I am also a non-facebooker. I was curious about it however, and started an account but for me it lasted only one day. Not even a full 24 hours. I also felt the same things about it as you. So I deactivated my account.
It wasn't for me and I actually feel bad for those who do spend their days at the computer waiting for someone to say something! I know people who do that!
Oh, if I had time to share all my feelings about Facebook. What has shocked me the most recently was to hear how a FB post was used by church leaders to claim that a person did not need the help that someone else suggested they could use. I've also heard about a girls latest status while sitting in a YW's meeting. I'm sorry, but FB should not be used as a means for "keeping tabs"! I'm currently trying to decide if I should remove myself from it or not because I do like to keep up with my girl friends from High School.
I joined Facebook mainly as a way to share photos of my daughter with family. But I was shocked at how many of my friends are totally obsessed with "Farmville," "Mafia Wars," and all the other useless games on there, and they beg all their friends to help them out in the games. Uh, some days I can't even squeeze in a real-life shower; I do not have time to milk your virtual cow. Sorry. Luckily, you can block individual applications (or individual people if you want to), so I've got it cleaned up to a point where I can almost stand it. :) Also, lots of companies are recognizing Facebook and Twitter as new advertising mediums, so you can often get free products and coupons by becoming a fan of such-and-such a company, which I always enjoy.
I see both sides of the facebook debate. On the one hand, I have had some problems with family members over comments I made that they didn't like. One person didn't like that I was in touch with another. Kind of annoying.
On the other hand, it's been a terrific communication tool for my church. We have our teens posting all our upcoming events to facebook and twitter and some events have had better than anticipated attendance because of all the "buzz."
I live 500 miles from my nearest relative so I am on facebook to stay, but I have a rule. No airing dirty laundry and no responding to dirty laundry. Facebook is the place to say nothing if you can't say something nice.
I have to agree! I have an account on FB but rarely check it. When I do I always think...."Seriously? Who takes the time to write such drivel?" Sometimes it's worth while. More often than not it is a waste of time. Blogs can be the same way if I am not careful. I just have to keep my priorities in line. Family first!
Lots of valid points you have there, as well as the other commenters. I think it is a huge time waster, but it's also becoming one of the main means for communicating - especially with the younger generation. (Aack! When did I NOT become part of the youngers!!!)
I try not to waste too much time on it, but it can be useful for contacting people and reading about the latest pop culture comments and ongoings.
People shouldn't be bragging anywhere let alone FB. I can agree that it's a time waster for sure but having said that, There is NO way I could have gotten everyone rallied together in our family to put on a party and donate for Grandpa and Grandma if it wasn't for the site. It's a love hate relationship.
I just found your blog and I love it!! I'm with you on the facebook thing. I've had an account for a few years, but I get only get it every few months or so. I just feel like it is a time waster. I can't teach my kids to use their time wisely if I don't.
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