[Disclaimer: In this post I'm not trying to argue the pros and cons of using social networking websites, but rather take a look at how our society uses these tools. These thoughts are only meant to stir discussion, not say either is right or wrong anything.]
I recently heard someone say, "social media is to relationships what fast food is to nutrition — a quick way to feel like we’ve gotten what we need. But when compared with what we really need, what we get is insubstantial." I see some truth in that statement. Nonetheless, there is no doubt that social networking websites can help us to keep in touch with far away friends, reconnect with long lost ones, and meet new people. However, how aware are we of how social media websites and our usage of them affect us? When examining the time you spend on these websites, how much times is spent communicating with others versus time spent looking at others (often people you've only met once or barely know), playing games, "liking" random stuff, etc.? How deep are the connections you make on Facebook, Twitter, and the like?
Aside from connecting with people, social media is also a place where people can support products, ideas, or causes. Is online support making changes in the real world? Yes and no. It's a place to organize people and get the word out, but as Malcolm Gladwell writes, "The revolution will not be tweeted. Social media can't always provide what social change has required." Our actions on social media can't take the place of physical action. Although social media is revolutionizing our time in many ways, we can't expect it to do everything for us. There are still things we have to do without it.
As a society, we need to examine whether we are using a tool or whether the tool is using us. We don't do enough of that. This post got me thinking a lot about digital clutter and how the way I spend my time online affects me. Are you aware of how you use social media? Do you manage your use of it? What are we gaining from using these social media tools? Is it worth the time we put into them? Is there a cost involved for us to use these tools? If you think social media is helpful or a waste of time, either way that's great. What matters is that we're making a conscious, well thought out decision about our use (or non-use) of social media and other technological tools.
I recently heard someone say, "social media is to relationships what fast food is to nutrition — a quick way to feel like we’ve gotten what we need. But when compared with what we really need, what we get is insubstantial." I see some truth in that statement. Nonetheless, there is no doubt that social networking websites can help us to keep in touch with far away friends, reconnect with long lost ones, and meet new people. However, how aware are we of how social media websites and our usage of them affect us? When examining the time you spend on these websites, how much times is spent communicating with others versus time spent looking at others (often people you've only met once or barely know), playing games, "liking" random stuff, etc.? How deep are the connections you make on Facebook, Twitter, and the like?
Aside from connecting with people, social media is also a place where people can support products, ideas, or causes. Is online support making changes in the real world? Yes and no. It's a place to organize people and get the word out, but as Malcolm Gladwell writes, "The revolution will not be tweeted. Social media can't always provide what social change has required." Our actions on social media can't take the place of physical action. Although social media is revolutionizing our time in many ways, we can't expect it to do everything for us. There are still things we have to do without it.
As a society, we need to examine whether we are using a tool or whether the tool is using us. We don't do enough of that. This post got me thinking a lot about digital clutter and how the way I spend my time online affects me. Are you aware of how you use social media? Do you manage your use of it? What are we gaining from using these social media tools? Is it worth the time we put into them? Is there a cost involved for us to use these tools? If you think social media is helpful or a waste of time, either way that's great. What matters is that we're making a conscious, well thought out decision about our use (or non-use) of social media and other technological tools.
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